Top 10 Robotics Transactions of June 2021
July 6, 2021
Self-driving vehicle developers continued fueling up for their long march toward full autonomy in June 2021, followed by factory, warehouse, and other automation.
AutoX Launches Production of Gen5 Fully Driverless Systems for Robotaxis
July 6, 2021
AutoX, which has developed Level 4 autonomous vehicle systems, has launched production of its Gen5 systems to expand fully driverless taxi services in cities across China.
Freetech Raises $100M Series A Funding to Produce ADAS, Autonomous Driving
July 5, 2021
Freetech Intelligent System is developing perception for ADAS and autonomous cars and shuttle buses. The company plans to use its funding to move into mass production.
Yutong Xiaoyu 2.0 Autonomous Bus Wins 2021 Red Dot Design Award
July 3, 2021
Yutong said its award-winning Xiaoyu 2.0 self-driving bus has a full stack of sensors, onboard computing, and 5G cloud connectivity to enable smart cities across China.
Sense Photonics Unveils Autonomous Vehicle Lidar Ready for Mass Production
July 2, 2021
Sense Photonics' solid-state lidar systems include proprietary technologies to deliver high-data point clouds with design flexibility for automotive designers, suppliers, and manufacturers.
Xpeng Announces Hong Kong IPO, Could Raise $2B for Electric, Autonomous Vehicles
June 28, 2021
Xpeng, which has been developing electric, self-parking, and autonomous vehicles, is already trading on the New York Stock Exchange and could be valued at up to $32 billion.
Embark Trucks to Raise $614M, Go Public Through SPAC Merger
June 23, 2021
Embark Trucks, which provides autonomous software to U.S. trucking market, will be valued at $4.55 billion, and former Secretary of Transportation and Labor Elaine Chao is joining its board.
WeRide Closes $310M Series C Round for Robotic Taxis, Buses
June 23, 2021
WeRide, whose Master Platform powers its robotaxis and Mini Robobus vehicles, has received funding from Nissan and others, bringing its valuation to $3 billion.
May Mobility Launches Free Autonomous Shuttle Service in Indianapolis
June 23, 2021
The shuttle service is part of the Together in Motion Indiana initiative to encourage development of mobility technologies and access from the Toyota Mobility Foundation and the Energy Systems Network.
Pony.ai Claims to Be the First Company to Test Driverless Vehicles in Both the U.S. and China
June 17, 2021
Pony.ai has obtained authorization to conduct testing of fully autonomous vehicles in preparation for offering robotaxi services in multiple cities in China and the U.S. next year.
Waymo Raises $2.5B to Continue Autonomous Vehicle Development
June 16, 2021
Waymo said it plans to use its funding to continue developing and commercializing its autonomous driving technology and to hire more staffers as it offers service in select cities.
Sponsored Content
Why the U.S. Infrastructure Bill Must Respond to China’s Investment in High-Tech Manufacturing and Robotics
June 15, 2021
China has made significant investments in technologies such as robotics, as well as in advanced manufacturing and global trade, so the U.S. needs the infrastructure bill to be competitive.
Waymo and J.B. Hunt Collaborate for Autonomous Freight Testing in Texas
June 14, 2021
The Waymo Driver will power a Class 8 autonomous truck to haul freight between facilities in Houston and Fort Worth, Texas, as J.B. Hunt Transport Services evaluates the technology's potential.
TriEye and Trimble to Explore Short-Wave Infrared Sensors for Autonomous Systems, Remote Sensing
June 14, 2021
Partners are exploring the integration of TriEye's CMOS SWIR sensors with Trimble's autonomous systems to see if the technology can help them see more clearly in challenging conditions.
Perrone Robotics Completes Demonstrations of Autonomous Vehicles on Public Roads
June 11, 2021
Perrone Robotics' TONY autonomy kit enables existing or new passenger and cargo shuttles to navigate complex environments, and the company plans to make them available by late summer.
Hesai Raises Series D of $300M to Scale Hybrid Lidar Production
June 8, 2021
Hesai, which has self-driving vehicle and robotics customers in 23 countries, plans to use its latest funding to continue R&D into processors and lidar perception.
Qualcomm Releases Roster of 7 IoT Products Built to Drive Digital Transformation
June 8, 2021
Qualcomm has released seven new products that it said will help with Internet of Things and AI applications including connected healthcare, logistics management, and warehousing.
Top 10 Robotics Transactions of May 2021
June 5, 2021
Robotics transactions in May 2021 slowed from the previous month, but companies supplying autonomous trucks, software and sensors, and systems for new applications raised millions of dollars.
Astro Aerospace Acquires Horizon Aircraft, Appoints Horizon CEO Brandon Robinson as President
June 3, 2021
Astro Aerospace will be developing three electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and drones, including Horizon Aircraft's Cavorite X5, which is designed for five people.
Kodiak Robotics Partners With SK to Bring Autonomous Trucking to $1.5T Asian Freight
June 3, 2021
Kodiak Robotics, which has been operating autonomous trucks in Texas, will use components from South Korea-based SK as it enters the Asian market for freight and fleet management services.
