Warehouse robot startup BotsAndUs raises £11m

Autonomous warehouse robot maker BotsAndUs has secured $13m (£10.6m) in a seed spherical led by Swiss undertaking funds organization Lakestar.

London-based BotsAndUs will use the cash to build its robots that are utilized to evaluate, observe and locate stock in a warehouse.

The startup’s robots use artificial intelligence (AI) to make a electronic twin of a warehouse. That mapping details can then be employed by operators to them operate logistics much more successfully in the warehouse.

BotsAndUs is also eying intercontinental expansion into new marketplaces these types of as Germany, France, the Nordics, the US and Canada.

Christoph Schuh, associate, Lakestar reported: “More than 80% of warehouses have no automation at all. With warehouses anticipated to increase by 50% by 2025 and labour shortages of more than 30%, automation evidently retains the key to making sure logistics operations are as optimised as probable.”

Launched in 2015, BotsAndUs operates with Menzies Aviation, an air cargo business that is employed by London Heathrow Airport.

BotsAndUs recently entered a partnership with container logistics company Maersk to check out the software of its robots in one of its warehouses, to begin with to have out automated stock management.

“It’s an interesting time for tech in London, and robotics and AI is just one of our most ground breaking growth sectors. This welcome financial commitment in BotsAndUs additional cements our place as a world hub for innovation and enterprise cash,” reported Rajesh Agrawal, deputy mayor, London for Organization.

The spherical saw extra money come from traders Maersk Growth, Kindred Money, and Capnamic. It follows BotsAndUs’s $6m (£4.9m) investment in July 2020.

Undertaking funds organization Lakestar’s earlier backings incorporate the likes of Skype, Spotify, Fb and Airbnb. It manages €1.2bn (£1bn) throughout 3 early-stage funds and a advancement fund.