Robotics company Anybotics receives 150 million dollar cash injection
The Zurich-based robotics manufacturer Anybotics has received funding of 150 million US dollars. The money comes from Climate Invest and other investors.
The Anymal X is the latest robot from Anybotics.
(Image: Anybotics)
Climate Investment (CI), together with other investors, is investing a total of USD 150 million in the Zurich-based robotics company Anybotics. This was announced by CI on Friday. The spin-off of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) intends to use the money to accelerate the market launch of the four-legged walking robot Anymal X. The robot is capable of independently monitoring even remote, complex industrial plants under dangerous conditions and detecting oil and gas leaks, for example.
Anybotics has already launched a four-legged robot dog. The Anymal robot is said to have been delivered more than 200 times to customers and partners, according to CI. The robots have already carried out several thousand inspections a week in the oil and gas industry, mining, energy supply companies, and the metal industry.
The plan is to launch the new Anymal X on the market in 2026. Like its predecessor Anymal, the robot will be used to autonomously monitor complex and remote industrial facilities under difficult conditions. This is made possible by its autonomous navigation using artificial intelligence (AI) and its AI-based recognition systems. Its tasks include early warning of signs of wear and possible machine failures. It should also be able to independently warn of problems such as overheating, vibrations, and gas and oil leaks. Corresponding sensors are integrated for this purpose. During its inspection work, the robot can also reach areas that are difficult for human inspectors to access or are too dangerous to enter.
Anymal in use
The simple Anymal robot is used, for example, in the Northern Lights Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) plant in Norway, a joint project between Equinor, Total Energies, and Shell. A robot monitors the conventionally unmanned plant there. In addition to inspection tasks, the robot measures the COâ‚‚ concentration at various points. The robot can automatically deliver the analyses, including any anomalies, to the plant operators. This is intended to guarantee the safety of the system and ensure continuous operation.
The new Anymal X now supports the two European safety directives ATEX (Atmosphère Explosibles) and IECEx (International Electrotechnical Commission System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres). ATEX is intended to ensure the safety of devices and protective systems that are used in potentially explosive atmospheres. IECEx regulates the certification process for devices used in potentially explosive atmospheres.
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Anymal X is already being trialed by initial partners such as Petronas, Shell, Equinos, and other companies, writes CI.
CI is part of the new financing round. In addition to CI, Anybotics' investors include NGP Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bessemer Venture Partners, Qualcomm Ventures, and others.
(olb)
