AGILE ROBOTS announces the completion of Series C financing led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2
PR91585
BEIJING, Sept. 10, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --
Company is currently the highest valued unicorn in intelligent robotics
globally
Agile Robots, a leading intelligent robotics company, has recently announced
the completion of a Series C financing with a total investment of US$220
million. The financing exercise is led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2*, followed by
financial investors including but not limited to Chimera Investments under Abu
Dhabi Royal Group, GL Ventures, Sequoia China and Linear Capital (in
alphabetical order), and strategic investors including Xiaomi Group, Foxconn
Industrial Internet ("FII"), and Midas. The proceedings from this financing
exercise will be mainly used for the company's product development, mass
production and global sales business expansion.
It is reported that Agile Robots managed to raise a total financing amount of
over US$130 million in 2020 as the company with highest total financing amount
in intelligent robotics industry in 2020. Agile Robots is currently the only
unicorn in the intelligent robotics field with a valuation exceeding US$1
billion globally. With the completion of this financing round, Agile Robots
become the first intelligent robotics company invested by SoftBank Vision Fund
2 in China.
Founded in 2018, with its headquartered both in Munich, Germany and Beijing,
China, Agile Robots is a robotics software platform company with the leading
hardware know-how in robotics. With German Aerospace Centre ("DLR") as its
technical backbone and the core concept of "artificial intelligence
empowerment", the company is committed to promoting the deep combination and
innovation of artificial intelligence and robotics and expanding the
application of robotics in more fields. DLR is not only the first institute to
send intelligent robots into space and perform complex tasks such as
human-robot collaboration, but also the first in the world to propose and
develop successful force-controlled robots that adopted by industries.
Agile Robots independently developed and launched software and hardware
products such as its operating system AgileCore for the coordination of robots
and accessories such as end effectors from different manufactures, its smart
force-controlled robot DIANA, its medical robots, humanoid dexterous
five-finger hands, and its flexible intelligent platform (FIP). With its unique
hardware and software R&D capabilities, Agile Robots has launched its highly
disruptive "robotic worker" that serves as smart assistant to all kinds of
workers and professionals from different fields to take over mundane or
dangerous tasks. Therewith Agile Robots opens new "blue ocean markets" for
intelligent robot applications. Currently, the company has implemented its
robots for production in multiple industrial scenarios. Agile Robots' products
have been successfully put into mass production, achieved large-scale
applications in medical, industrial (consumer electronics, automotive, jewelry
and other precision assembly and manufacturing scenarios), agricultural,
education and service fields.
Agile Robots is expanding the market globally. In particular for the Chinese
Market, it has completed the strategic layout in multiple regions. Besides, the
company has reached comprehensive strategic cooperation with Chinese orthopedic
surgery robot listed company, top neurosurgery robot company, multiple Chinese
top-tier general and specialist hospitals and several other world leading
enterprises (such as international consumer electronics production giant,
international top telecom service provider and world leading electronic
equipment manufacturer etc.). With the completion of its product
commercialization, Agile Robots seeks to remain strong growth in its sales.
Dr. Zhaopeng Chen, the founder of Agile Robots said: "With the unique
technology by combining robotic OS and the world's leading sensitive robots,
Agile Robots is seeking for fundamental breakthrough in robotic area and
realistically applying the next generation of robots into intelligent precision
assembly area and medical treatment, which can only be accomplished by human
beings right now. With the supports from our reputable investors and customers,
we are confident to push the robotics into new era with all our partners."
"As part of our ongoing commitment to China's dynamic market and to help
entrepreneurs drive a wave of innovation, we are delighted to partner with Dr.
Zhaopeng Chen, Peter Meusel, and the Agile Robots team," said Dr. Eric Chen,
Managing Partner at SoftBank Investment Advisers. "Agile Robots connects
artificial intelligence with advanced robotics technology to solve some of the
most challenging industry problems and is the latest example of our continued
support of China's growing technology sector."
Luke Li, Founding Partner of Hillhouse Group, said, "Hillhouse is a long-term
investor in Agile Robots, having participated in several of its financing
rounds, including the seed round. We were delighted to witness Dr. Zhaopeng
Chen's team achieve multiple breakthroughs in the field of robotics. Agile
Robots has developed high-precision force-controlled robots with advanced
collision detection and joint-torque control capabilities that can be rapidly
deployed and adapted to a variety of application scenarios. These
force-controlled robots have the potential to drive revolutionary innovations
in industrial robotics applications. Hillhouse's investment in Agile Robotics
stands at the intersection of our longstanding interdisciplinary research in
the robotics industry and our research and investment in advanced
manufacturing, including in high-end precision equipment, smart robots,
alternative energy and new materials. We look forward to Agile Robots'
continuous contribution to the efforts in upgrading the manufacturing sector.
Caroline Fu, partner of Sequoia China, said: "Despite the demand for robots is
fast growing, traditional robots are limited in standard tasks. We are
optimistic about Agile Robots' potential market of general-purpose robots by
integrating intelligent robots, force-sensing and robot vision. Their
innovative technology can be applied widely in markets with large-scale and
complex demand for robots, such as medical treatment, 3C and automotive
manufacturing. We hope that Agile Robots will develop and apply more
industry-leading innovative technologies in the near future to provide
efficient, reliable and low-cost solutions for more complex scenarios."
*As of the date of this press release, SoftBank Group Corp. has made capital
contributions to allow investments by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 ("SVF 2") in
certain portfolio companies. The information included herein is made for
informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a
solicitation of an offer to buy limited partnership interests in any fund,
including SVF 2. SVF 2 has yet to have an external close, and any potential
third-party investors shall receive additional information related to any SVF 2
investments prior to closing.
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SOURCE: Beijing Agile Robot Technology Co., Ltd
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Caption: AGILE ROBOTS announces the completion of Series C financing led by SoftBank
Vision Fund 2
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