Real Life Robotics Inc., which specializes in cargo and last-mile robotic delivery at scale, yesterday announced an exclusive strategic engineering partnership with InDro Robotics, a leading Canadian research and development firm. InDro said it will provide engineering support for Real Life Robotics’ systems to address labor shortages with “unique, customizable, and affordable last-mile delivery robotic solutions.”
“InDro’s world-class team of engineers brings exceptional depth to our product development path as we expand globally,” said Cameron Waite, founder and CEO of Real Life Robotics. “We’re excited to expand our partnership and know it will accelerate our ability to deliver robotics solutions to market faster and support our clients with uniquely configured automation solutions.”
Waterloo, Ontario-based Real Life Robotics designs and manufactures autonomous and teleoperated ground cargo and delivery robots. It is a portfolio company at the Accelerator Centre at the University of Waterloo and has been cooperating with InDro since 2020.
Delivery robots to mitigate worker shortages
Businesses across North America have been struggling with worker shortages. According to Statistics Canada, more than 35% of companies said they expect workforce challenges to be an obstacle for their operations.
With over 40% of companies exploring process automation, there is growing demand to optimize existing workforces, noted Real Life Robotics.
“The ground robotic delivery market is still very new,” explained Waite. “We engage with both commercial/industrial and government clients who want to lead the charge in adoption of this exciting technology we’ve created.”
Using a combination of hardware, software, and artificial intelligence, Real Life Robotics said its flagship product, called BUBS, provides cargo and delivery automation at scale.
The company added that its robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) approach provides clients with a white-labeled, customized robot at an accessible cost, allowing businesses to realize immediate top-line and bottom-line impact.
Businesses in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, agriculture, and food services sectors, among others, can use BUBS for a variety of last-mile delivery applications, said Real Life Robotics. It claimed that BUBS offers immediate solutions to labor shortages, as well as cost savings and labor efficiencies optimization while driving additional new revenue streams.
InDro brings expertise to partnership with Real Life Robotics
“We’re thrilled to support the experienced and well-respected robotics team at Real Life Robotics,” said Philip Reece, CEO of InDro Robotics. “Our expertise in the robot field, mixed with Real Life Robotics’ extensive experience in robotic commercialization, makes for a powerful team.”
Victoria, British Columbia-based InDro has offices in Vancouver and Ottawa and conducts R&D into robotics. It also provides uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), services, and training.
The company said it has deep expertise in mechatronics, software integration, teleoperation, and automation through machine learning. Not only does InDro develop new technologies directly for clients, but it also develops, tests, and ultimately sells other innovations.
InDro said it is actively involved in trials and claimed that it was the first UAV company in Canada to receive a cargo license from the Canadian Transportation Agency.
InDro and Real Life Robotics said they will work closely together to enhance robot offerings, as well as to identify new ways of collaborating in a fast-growing marketplace.
“Today’s agreement adds significant engineering bench strength and manufacturing capacity to Real Life Robotics, allowing the company to rapidly scale in a fast-growing market,” said the companies in a press release.