Tokyo-based maker of autonomous machines used in the logistics industry — Rapyuta Robotics, has announced recently $51 million in Series C funding led by Goldman Sachs. The Japanese robot will use the latest funding to accelerate the expansion of its robotics solutions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.
This is Rapyuta Robotics’ third round of funding, bringing the total capital raised by the firm so far to be $81 million. As noted in the company press release, the new round will further the company’s growth and market presence in autonomous mobile robots and cloud-based software solutions. Currently, Rapyuta Robotics is focused on making robotics useful for all logistics applications, and providing support for the development, implementation, and operation of robotics solutions.
“Rapyuta Robotics will further its mission to make robots more attainable to global logistics users and to empower lives with new cloud robotics solutions,“ said Gajan Mohanarajah, Ph.D, CEO and co-founder. “We are grateful to Goldman Sachs and all our investors for their support of our vision to make robots more accessible by taking a platform approach.”
“While the global logistics industry is rapidly expanding due to rising e-commerce demand, it faces a wave of digitization and a challenge of labour shortage. As the industry seeks for automation solutions to improve efficiency, we are optimistic about the growth of Rapyuta Robotics as a pioneer in cloud robotics platforms,” said Stephanie Hui, global co-head of Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Goldman Sachs Asset Management has been an active investor in Japan since 1999, deploying capital across sectors such as technology, consumer, healthcare, and renewable energy.
Rapyuta PA-AMR (picking assist robot)
Further, the funds raised are earmarked for the expanded development of the Rapyuta PA-AMR (picking assist robot), partner training, research and development, and increased awareness of autonomous mobile robots and their usage in the logistics industry.
Logistics companies that have introduced Rapyuta’s collaborative pick-assist solution have seen a doubling of productivity in their operations within five months. In Japan, where Rapyuta Robotics has the largest market share, automation solutions in logistics address the pervasive problems of an ageing population, low birth rate, and chronic labour shortage.
Rapyuta’s next-generation cloud robotics platform, rapyuta.io, utilises the world’s most advanced control and AI technologies to improve the efficiency and safety of warehouse operations, enable multiple robots to work harmoniously together, and create a seamless, and remote-controlled, robot ecosystem.
Rapyuta Robotics is now hiring, with the intent to expand its diverse staff of talented engineers and sales professionals who emanate from more than 20 countries. The company espouses a healthy work-life balance and an open and inclusive working environment.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, Rapyuta Robotics is a Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich) spin-off, that operates with a vision to be the leader in making robots more attainable and useful by taking an open, platform-centric approach to developing and operating robotics solutions.
