SoftBank Group

SoftBank Group is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Japan. It operates through four segments: mobile communications, Sprint, fixed-line telecommunications, and internet. The company provides a wide range of services, including mobile and fixed-line voice and data transmission services, broadband services, internet advertising, e-commerce, and digital television. SoftBank Group also invests in various technologies through its venture capital arms, such as SoftBank Investment Advisers and SoftBank Vision Fund, focusing on areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, and the Internet of Things. One of its notable subsidiaries, SoftBank Robotics, designs and manufactures humanoid robots for various applications, including education, healthcare, and business.

Karim Abouzahr

Director, SoftBank Europe Ventures

Praveen Akkiraju

Managing Partner, Americas, Asia

Kristin Bannon

Investment Director, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Lee Bocker

COO

Jonathan Bullock

COO and Managing Director

John Cassidy

Investment Director, Life Sciences and HealthTech

Tom Cheung

Partner, Americas

Rodrigo Costa

Partner

Serena Dayal

Investment Director

Angela Du

Investor

Colin Fan

Managing Partner, SoftBank Investment Advisers

Ted Fike

Director, Americas

Ronald Fisher

Vice Chairman

Navneet Govil

Managing Partner, CFO

Ayush Jain

Investment Vice President

Lydia Jett

Partner

Sumer Juneja

Managing Partner and Head of EMEA and India Investing

Robert Kaplan

Investment Director

Nagraj Kashyap

Managing Partner

Matt Krna

Principal

Chris Lee

Partner, Asia

Anna Lo

Director, Americas

Amit Lubovsky

Investor

Jimi Macdonald

Director

Kentaro Matsui

Managing Partner, Asia

Ken Miyauchi

Representative Director and Senior Executive Vice President

Greg Moon

Associate

Akshay Naheta

Partner, EMEA

Gowri Narayanan

Partner, FinTech

Karol Niewiadomski

Partner

Shu Nyatta

Managing Partner

Max Ohrstrand

Partner, EMEA

Vikas Parekh

Managing Partner, Americas

Ben Parton

Director of Deals and Transactions

Paulo Passoni

Managing Investment Partner

Yanni Pipilis

Managing Partner

Narendra Rathi

Director, Asia

Brett Rochkind

Managing Partner

Saleh Romeih

Managing Partner, Investment Committee Member, SBIA, EMEA

Ram Trichur

Partner

Ervin Tu

Partner, Americas

Munish Varma

Partner, EMEA, Asia

Aaron Wong

Vice President

Kenichi Yoshida

Chief Business Officer and Executive Vice President

Linda Yu

Vice President, Vision Fund

Andrew Zloto

Investment Director

Tim Yap

Director, EMEA

Past deals in Robotics

Avatarin

Series B in 2024
Avatarin Inc., founded in 2020 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializes in the research, development, and deployment of avatar services. As a subsidiary of ANA Holdings Inc., the company focuses on creating next-generation mobility and human augmentation platforms. Avatarin's technology aims to expand human potential by enabling individuals to transport their consciousness, skills, and presence to remote locations through advanced robotic avatar systems. This innovative approach seeks to enhance human capabilities and redefine interaction in various settings.

CMR Surgical

Series D in 2023
CMR Surgical, established in 2014 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, specializes in designing and manufacturing medical devices for minimal access surgery. The company's primary product is the Versius surgical robotic system, which facilitates laparoscopic surgery by providing surgeons with 3D high-definition imagery and feedback. CMR Surgical aims to make minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable by expanding the range of procedures that can be performed using its robotic systems.

Stack AV

Venture Round in 2023
Stack AV is a transportation technology company that designs and manufactures autonomous truck systems. Leveraging advanced AI, robotics, machine learning, and cloud technologies, Stack AV develops innovative solutions to enhance safety and efficiency in the trucking industry.

Telexistence

Series B in 2023
Telexistence is a company focused on advancing robotic technologies that enable users to interact with remote environments through online remote control systems. By transmitting, accumulating, and analyzing visual, auditory, and tactile information, Telexistence enhances the ability of individuals to operate effectively from a distance. The company emphasizes systematic innovation in robotics, aiming to develop scalable and reproducible solutions that expand human presence in various settings.

Noah Medical

Series B in 2023
Noah Medical is a manufacturer of medical robotic devices aimed at enhancing the diagnosis and treatment of patients in various healthcare settings. The company's innovative devices facilitate early diagnoses and treatments, particularly in advanced clinical environments. By enabling hospitals to address medical issues promptly, Noah Medical's technology contributes to improved patient outcomes and minimizes scarring associated with procedures.

Berkshire Grey

Acquisition in 2023
Berkshire Grey, Inc. specializes in developing artificial intelligence-driven robotic and automated material handling systems aimed at enhancing omnichannel fulfillment. Founded in 2013 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company offers a range of solutions, including AI software, robotic arms, mobile robotic systems, and advanced sorting technologies. Its systems leverage artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans, thereby increasing accuracy and throughput in logistics and supply chain operations. Berkshire Grey's technology is designed to handle diverse products and packaging types, providing a significant competitive advantage to its customers. The company primarily generates its revenue from North America and operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.

Jaka Robot

Series D in 2022
Jaka Robot is a Shanghai-based company that specializes in the development, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing of industrial robots. Founded in 2014, the company offers a range of products, including the JAKA ZuTM robot, which features a wireless control system compatible with mobile applications. Additionally, Jaka Robot provides JAKA MES for information integration across various factory departments, along with conveyor systems, palletizing robot systems, and liner molding machines. Its clientele spans multiple sectors, including food and beverage, chemical, packaging, electronics, and mechanical processing industries.

Symbotic

Post in 2022
Symbotic is an automation technology company that specializes in integrated supply network automation solutions for warehouses and distribution centers. The company develops proprietary robotics and software designed to enhance operational efficiency and streamline supply chain processes. By automating the handling of pallets and cases, Symbotic significantly improves the speed and profitability of supply chain operations for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers. Operating primarily in the United States and Canada, Symbotic's innovative, end-to-end technology solutions cater to large retail and wholesale companies, positioning the firm as a leader in supply chain automation.

RightHand Robotics

Series C in 2022
RightHand Robotics, Inc. specializes in the manufacturing of robotic order-picking systems designed to enhance supply chain logistics and order fulfillment across various industries, including e-commerce, food handling, and flexible manufacturing. Founded in 2015, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with an additional office in Frankfurt, Germany. RightHand Robotics offers innovative solutions like the ReFlex SF, which features a 3D-printed palm equipped with advanced servos and compliant fingers, and the ReFlex TakkTile, a tactile sensor that aids in gentle object handling. Their technology enables robots to automatically grasp a wide range of items from bins and cases without the need for extensive data entry or parameter tuning, making their systems cost-effective and adaptable to changing business needs.

Fourier Intelligence

Series D in 2022
Fourier Intelligence is a Shanghai-based technology and design company that specializes in the development of exoskeleton robotic products and services aimed at rehabilitation and orthoses. The company offers advanced robotics technology, including upper-limb rehabilitation robotics and lower-limb exoskeletons, which assist individuals with disabilities in overcoming physical limitations, enabling them to stand and walk again. Its innovative products not only enhance the quality of life for users but also improve productivity by reducing fatigue and facilitating the transportation of heavy objects in various sectors. Fourier Intelligence is committed to advancing healthcare and rehabilitation through its pioneering technologies, empowering individuals to regain mobility and independence.

Youibot

Series B in 2021
Youibot Robotics Co., Ltd. is a Chinese company focused on the research, development, and manufacturing of autonomous mobile robots. The firm has independently developed a cutting-edge robot platform that utilizes advanced laser radar and visual real-time SLAM technology for navigation and mapping. Youibot's innovative systems are designed for both indoor and outdoor applications, offering competitive solutions for various industries. Their product line includes autonomous robots equipped with a standalone control system and a cluster collaboration platform, enabling efficient and automated operations for clients.

Robotic Research

Series A in 2021
Robotic Research, LLC, is a small engineering firm founded by Alberto Lacaze and Karl Murphy in 2002. Both worked together in the Intelligent Systems Division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (Gaithersburg, MD) when they decided to make the move (across the street as it turned out) to pursue focused interest in unmanned vehicles.

Gaussian Robot

Series C in 2021
Gaussian Robot, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, specializes in the development of commercial automatic sweeping robots. The company offers a range of products including automatic cleaning robots, unmanned sanitation vehicles, security robot solutions, and building distribution robots. Additionally, Gaussian Robot incorporates advanced autonomous positioning navigation modules into its offerings, aiming to enhance operational efficiency in various commercial settings.

OpenTrons

Series C in 2021
Opentrons is a company that specializes in the development of pipetting robot technology aimed at automating laboratory experiments. By utilizing open-source principles, Opentrons provides a range of lab automation solutions, including robots, workstations, hardware modules, consumables, reagents, and labware. Their technology leverages the Python programming language to streamline experimental processes, making them faster and reducing the likelihood of human error. This focus on automation allows scientific researchers to enhance efficiency and accuracy in their work, ultimately advancing their research capabilities.

Keenon

Series D in 2021
Keenon Robotics is a company focused on the development of commercial service robots designed for various applications, including restaurants and catering. The company employs artificial intelligence, machine vision, machine learning, and automation technologies to create robots that assist in food delivery and other services across industries such as hospitality, retail, healthcare, and museums. By integrating these advanced technologies, Keenon Robotics aims to automate workflows, reduce operational costs, and enhance efficiency in diverse commercial environments.

Agile Robots

Series C in 2021
Agile Robots AG is a German company, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gilching, with an additional office in Beijing, China. The company specializes in developing advanced robotic solutions that integrate artificial intelligence to enhance manufacturing, medical assistance, and service robotics. Its core offerings include a lightweight robotic arm featuring seven degrees of freedom and a general-purpose robot controller, designed for versatility in various applications. Agile Robots also provides a sophisticated robot vision system and scalable robotics optimized for seamless integration of perception, intelligence, and actuation. These systems are equipped with ultra-sensitive joint torque sensors, enabling them to detect and respond to interactions with human users and their environments, effectively bridging the gap between artificial intelligence and the physical world.

Berkshire Grey

Post in 2021
Berkshire Grey, Inc. specializes in developing artificial intelligence-driven robotic and automated material handling systems aimed at enhancing omnichannel fulfillment. Founded in 2013 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company offers a range of solutions, including AI software, robotic arms, mobile robotic systems, and advanced sorting technologies. Its systems leverage artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans, thereby increasing accuracy and throughput in logistics and supply chain operations. Berkshire Grey's technology is designed to handle diverse products and packaging types, providing a significant competitive advantage to its customers. The company primarily generates its revenue from North America and operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.

CMR Surgical

Series D in 2021
CMR Surgical, established in 2014 and headquartered in Cambridge, UK, specializes in designing and manufacturing medical devices for minimal access surgery. The company's primary product is the Versius surgical robotic system, which facilitates laparoscopic surgery by providing surgeons with 3D high-definition imagery and feedback. CMR Surgical aims to make minimal access surgery universally accessible and affordable by expanding the range of procedures that can be performed using its robotic systems.

AutoStore

Secondary Market in 2021
AutoStore AS, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Nedre Vats, Norway, specializes in manufacturing automated warehousing and storage systems. The company offers innovative automated retrieval and material handling solutions designed to optimize space and efficiency in warehouses. Its patented system utilizes standardized bins stacked in a cubic configuration, enabling significant increases in storage capacity without expanding the physical footprint. AutoStore's products include a range of components such as robots, grids, bins, controllers, workstations, and warehouse management systems. The company collaborates with several strategic partners, including Bastian Solutions, AM Automation, Egemin, Swisslog, Element Logic, and LG CNS, to distribute its technology globally through a multi-distribution network.

Brain Corp

Series D in 2020
Brain Corp is a San Diego-based AI company creating transformative core technology for the robotics industry. Brain Corp’s comprehensive solutions support the builders of today’s autonomous machines in successfully producing, deploying, and supporting robots across commercial industries and applications. It was named the world’s top autonomy solution provider by ABI Research. Brain Corp was founded in 2009 and is based in San Diego, California.

Bear Robotics

Series A in 2020
Bear Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Redwood City, California, that designs and manufactures autonomous robots specifically for the food service industry. Incorporated in 2017, Bear Robotics developed Penny, an artificial intelligence-driven robot that efficiently transports food, dishes, and drinks, while also providing customer service in restaurants. The company's innovative solutions aim to address challenges within the restaurant industry, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs, by enhancing efficiency and improving the dining experience for customers. By automating tasks like running orders and bussing tables, Bear Robotics not only seeks to increase job satisfaction for restaurant employees but also aims to boost profitability for restaurant owners.

Berkshire Grey

Series B in 2020
Berkshire Grey, Inc. specializes in developing artificial intelligence-driven robotic and automated material handling systems aimed at enhancing omnichannel fulfillment. Founded in 2013 and based in Lexington, Massachusetts, the company offers a range of solutions, including AI software, robotic arms, mobile robotic systems, and advanced sorting technologies. Its systems leverage artificial intelligence, computer vision, and machine learning to automate tasks traditionally performed by humans, thereby increasing accuracy and throughput in logistics and supply chain operations. Berkshire Grey's technology is designed to handle diverse products and packaging types, providing a significant competitive advantage to its customers. The company primarily generates its revenue from North America and operates as a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp.

Fetch Robotics

Series C in 2019
Fetch Robotics, Inc. is a San Jose, California-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing and manufacturing autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics sectors. The company focuses on creating collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that enhance material handling and data collection processes. Its offerings include the Fetch cloud robotics platform, the VirtualConveyor system for material transport, and DataSurvey tools for data collection. Fetch Robotics integrates advanced robotics and software to tailor workflows, enabling commercial and industrial environments to improve warehouse productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Boston Dynamics

Venture Round in 2019
Boston Dynamics, Inc. is an engineering company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, specializing in the design and manufacture of advanced robots and software for human simulation. Founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the company has gained recognition for its innovative robots that mimic animal movement, such as Spot, a quadruped robot, and Atlas, a humanoid robot. These robots are equipped with cutting-edge mobility, dexterity, and intelligence, allowing them to perform tasks in challenging environments, including industrial plants, construction sites, and warehouses. Boston Dynamics also develops software for human simulation, which is utilized in various training applications, including law enforcement and military operations. The company collaborates with organizations globally, providing solutions to some of the most complex challenges in automation and robotics.

Fetch Robotics

Series B in 2017
Fetch Robotics, Inc. is a San Jose, California-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing and manufacturing autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics sectors. The company focuses on creating collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that enhance material handling and data collection processes. Its offerings include the Fetch cloud robotics platform, the VirtualConveyor system for material transport, and DataSurvey tools for data collection. Fetch Robotics integrates advanced robotics and software to tailor workflows, enabling commercial and industrial environments to improve warehouse productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

RPA Holdings Japan

Venture Round in 2017
RPA Holdings Japan, established in 2000, is a Tokyo-based company that specializes in robot outsourcing services within Japan. It operates PRESCO, an online advertising and affiliate business, and also provides office-work outsourcing services.

Brain Corp

Series C in 2017
Brain Corp is a San Diego-based AI company creating transformative core technology for the robotics industry. Brain Corp’s comprehensive solutions support the builders of today’s autonomous machines in successfully producing, deploying, and supporting robots across commercial industries and applications. It was named the world’s top autonomy solution provider by ABI Research. Brain Corp was founded in 2009 and is based in San Diego, California.

Schaft

Acquisition in 2017
Schaft is a robotics company that evolved from the JSK Robotics Laboratory at the University of Tokyo, where significant advancements in humanoid robotics were made under the leadership of Professor Masayuki Inaba. Co-founders Junichi Urata and Yuto Nakanishi, who began their work in the lab around a decade ago, contributed to the development of various humanoid robots, including projects named Kotaro, Kojiro, Kenzo, and Kenshiro. The company specializes in creating robotic technology and hardware tailored for industrial applications, focusing on humanoid bipedal robots. These machines are designed to assist clients in safely performing tasks in hazardous environments, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Boston Dynamics

Acquisition in 2017
Boston Dynamics, Inc. is an engineering company based in Waltham, Massachusetts, specializing in the design and manufacture of advanced robots and software for human simulation. Founded in 1992 as a spin-off from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the company has gained recognition for its innovative robots that mimic animal movement, such as Spot, a quadruped robot, and Atlas, a humanoid robot. These robots are equipped with cutting-edge mobility, dexterity, and intelligence, allowing them to perform tasks in challenging environments, including industrial plants, construction sites, and warehouses. Boston Dynamics also develops software for human simulation, which is utilized in various training applications, including law enforcement and military operations. The company collaborates with organizations globally, providing solutions to some of the most complex challenges in automation and robotics.

Bear Robotics

Angel Round in 2017
Bear Robotics, Inc. is a company based in Redwood City, California, that designs and manufactures autonomous robots specifically for the food service industry. Incorporated in 2017, Bear Robotics developed Penny, an artificial intelligence-driven robot that efficiently transports food, dishes, and drinks, while also providing customer service in restaurants. The company's innovative solutions aim to address challenges within the restaurant industry, such as labor shortages and rising operational costs, by enhancing efficiency and improving the dining experience for customers. By automating tasks like running orders and bussing tables, Bear Robotics not only seeks to increase job satisfaction for restaurant employees but also aims to boost profitability for restaurant owners.

SB Drive

Series A in 2017
SB Drive Corp., founded in 2016 and based in Tokyo, Japan, is a subsidiary of SoftBank Corp. The company specializes in consulting services related to the operations of autonomous driving technology, focusing on both passenger and logistics sectors. SB Drive is dedicated to developing autonomous vehicle solutions for public transportation, particularly in rural areas, and has conducted social trials utilizing fixed-route public buses and freight trucks equipped with this technology. The company has established partnerships with four municipalities in Japan and aims to conduct public road tests in the near future, with the goal of launching a commercial service in the coming years.

Quicktron Robotics

Series B in 2017
Quicktron Robotics is an industrial automation company that focuses on providing advanced hardware, control software, and robotic system solutions tailored for warehouse and factory environments. The company specializes in intelligent driving and autonomous robotics, aiming to streamline material handling and fulfillment processes. Quicktron develops an intelligent warehouse logistics operating system that integrates artificial intelligence algorithms with AI robots to automate manual labor tasks such as selecting, transporting, and sorting goods. This innovative approach enables clients to enhance operational efficiency and optimize warehouse management, significantly reducing the burden of repetitive tasks in manufacturing centers.

CloudMinds

Series A in 2017
CloudMinds Technology Inc. is a company based in Irvine, California, specializing in the development and operation of cloud robotic solutions. Founded in 2015, it offers a range of services, including mobile-intranet cloud services that provide secure mobility solutions for enterprise clients. Its offerings encompass cloud artificial intelligence solutions, which integrate human augmented robotics intelligence and various cloud robot services. One of its notable products is the XR-1 Robot, a commercial humanoid service robot equipped with Smart Compliant Actuator technology for precise and compliant grasping. This robot connects to the company's AI Cloud Brain platform, enabling enhanced robotic intelligence through a secure network over 4G and 5G. CloudMinds operates as a subsidiary of CloudMinds Technologies Co., Ltd., positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in the robotics and artificial intelligence sectors.

CloudMinds

Seed Round in 2016
CloudMinds Technology Inc. is a company based in Irvine, California, specializing in the development and operation of cloud robotic solutions. Founded in 2015, it offers a range of services, including mobile-intranet cloud services that provide secure mobility solutions for enterprise clients. Its offerings encompass cloud artificial intelligence solutions, which integrate human augmented robotics intelligence and various cloud robot services. One of its notable products is the XR-1 Robot, a commercial humanoid service robot equipped with Smart Compliant Actuator technology for precise and compliant grasping. This robot connects to the company's AI Cloud Brain platform, enabling enhanced robotic intelligence through a secure network over 4G and 5G. CloudMinds operates as a subsidiary of CloudMinds Technologies Co., Ltd., positioning itself at the forefront of innovation in the robotics and artificial intelligence sectors.

Fetch Robotics

Series A in 2015
Fetch Robotics, Inc. is a San Jose, California-based company founded in 2014 that specializes in developing and manufacturing autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics sectors. The company focuses on creating collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that enhance material handling and data collection processes. Its offerings include the Fetch cloud robotics platform, the VirtualConveyor system for material transport, and DataSurvey tools for data collection. Fetch Robotics integrates advanced robotics and software to tailor workflows, enabling commercial and industrial environments to improve warehouse productivity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.

Aldebaran Robotics

Acquisition in 2012
Aldebaran Robotics, founded in 2005 and based in Paris, France, specializes in the design, manufacture, and sale of autonomous humanoid robots primarily for entertainment and assistance purposes. The company's notable products include NAO, a 58-cm tall humanoid robot designed to be a friendly companion capable of movement, recognition, auditory engagement, and conversation. Another key product, Pepper, is a social robot that interacts with humans, recognizes their emotions, and operates autonomously. Additionally, Romeo, a larger humanoid robot at 140 cm, is developed for research focused on assisting the elderly and individuals with reduced autonomy, featuring functionalities such as opening doors, climbing stairs, and grasping objects. Aldebaran Robotics aims to advance the field of humanoid robotics through innovative solutions that enhance human-robot interaction and support various applications in care and therapy.
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