Robotics Industry Hauls in $1.3 Billion in July
Robotics Industry Hauls in $1.3 Billion in July
Kernel updates menu, Uber makes AV investment
While last week may have been a short one, there was still plenty of news, with big investments being made and new menus being launched. Read on for all the details!
Robotic Investments Strong in July
The robotics and automation startup space is gaining some vigor, with the industry raising about $1.3 billion in July, besting its 12-month trailing average by $100M. For the year thus far the sector has hauled in $9.7 billion, beating the $8 billion raised in the first seven months of 2023. For the first half of the year, robotics orders dipped to $983 million, the “food and consumer goods” portion of the industry remained robust, comprising 7% of overall units ordered.
Uber Invests into AVer Wayve
Uber Technologies is establishing itself as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to autonomous vehicles and delivery robotics, working with players like Cruise, Waymo, Serve, Cartken and more. Now it’s throwing some more chips onto the table, with an investment into London-based Wayve, as an extension of the startup’s recently announced $1.05 billion Series C round. Currently, Wayve is testing its tech on Ford E-Transit delivery vans and Jaguar I-Pace SUVs. Wayve’s approach relies on self-supervised learning and cameras, as opposed to a rule-based system with Lidar, which should make it easier to apply to smaller devices like delivery bots. Wayve’s current delivery partners include grocers Asda and Ocado.
Kernel Updates Menu
Robotically powered restaurant Kernel continues to make updates, a month and a half after reopening its sole Manhattan location. Kernel just announced the addition of a herb roasted chicken sandwich, caesar salad with chicken, and the ability to customize an existing chopped salad to add poultry protein as well. While the Steve Ells-helmed lunch-maker started off as a plant-based concept, last month it quietly began adding meat to its menu.
Join Us at the HNGRY Summit — 10/25
Join us in Los Angeles on October 25th for the HNGRY Summit, a can’t-miss event on the future of the food industry. Ottomate’s Jonah Bliss will be moderating a lively discussion on the automation of food prep and last-mile delivery, featuring sweetgreen Co-Founder Nic Jammet, Zipline’s Head of Restaurants Chris Kenney, and Starship’s VP of Business Development Chris Neider. Early bird tickets are available through this Sunday — register now!
In Other News
Clark County approves robotic food delivery off the UNLV campus (currently handled by Starship and Grubhub.) Starbucks’ new CEO Brian Niccol has his work cut out for him. Photos of Korean delivery bots.