Swiss robotics company ANYbotics has announced a significant milestone in its journey to transform industrial inspections using cutting-edge technology. The firm recently raised $60 million in a funding round, bringing its total capital to over $130 million. The fresh infusion of funds will support the company's ambitious expansion plans, both globally and particularly in the U.S.
Dr. Péter Fankhauser, co-founder and CEO of ANYbotics, expressed enthusiasm about the backing from prominent investors, noting the pivotal role this investment will play. "We are thrilled to have the backing of world-class investors as we accelerate our mission to transform industrial inspections through autonomous robotics," Fankhauser stated. The funding will expedite their global expansion, enhance AI capabilities, and provide unbeatable value to clients across multiple industries.
Founded in 2016 as a spin-off from ETH Zurich, ANYbotics has been at the forefront of developing mobile robots designed for industrial environments. These robots are capable of automating real-time data collection tasks that are typically challenging for human workers. ANYbotics maintains offices in Zurich and San Francisco, focusing on solutions that address labor shortages and enhance safety by reducing human presence in hazardous environments.
The company's flagship robot, ANYmal, is designed for versatility in its inspections. Equipped with built-in graphics processing units (GPUs), the robot can perform swift processing and execute advanced AI analytics to identify anomalies and monitor conditions. These enhancements promise significant boosts in operational efficiency and safety, a crucial advantage for industries such as energy, mining, and chemicals. ANYbotics plans to expand the ANYmal’s functionality by integrating sensor arrays that can conduct visual, acoustic, gas, and thermal monitoring, offering their clients flexibility and precision.
Dr. Fankhauser elaborated on the technology's versatility: "We design our autonomy technology and deep neural network for different types of robots, not just legged ones. They could crawl or have arms but be driven by the same operating system." ANYbotics is not limited to the physical design of their robots; the team envisages a future where these machines can execute complex tasks, understand contextual environmental cues, and interact naturally with humans.
The latest funding round was led by Qualcomm Ventures and Supernova Invest, with contributions from TDK Ventures and other new and existing investors. Fankhauser remarked on the challenging funding climate, highlighting the team's focused approach to ensuring long-term sustainability rather than capitalizing solely on current AI trends.
"ANYbotics is transforming industrial operations with innovative AI-powered robotics," said Michel Glezer, Director of Qualcomm Ventures Europe. Glezer emphasized the company's prowess in delivering tested solutions for global industry challenges, cementing its status as a leader in the robotics market.
In addition to expanding its geographic reach, ANYbotics plans to grow its team of over 200 robotics experts from more than 35 nations. A focus on advancing cybersecurity certifications and enhancing the software stack for customer asset data signifies the company's commitment to delivering robust, state-of-the-art solutions.
Industrial leaders like BP, Equinor, Petrobras, Novelis, and Outokumpu have already placed sizable orders, underscoring the confidence in ANYbotics' technology. Partnerships with tech giants like AWS, NVIDIA, SAP, SLB, Equans, and Siemens Energy further bolster ANYbotics' capability to deliver robust systems integrated with complex industrial ecosystems.
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