SoftBank

SoftBank Group Corp. is a multinational telecommunications and internet corporation based in Tokyo, Japan. Established in 1981, it provides a wide range of services including mobile and fixed-line communications, broadband, and digital television. The company operates through several segments, including the SoftBank Vision Fund, which focuses on investing in technology sectors such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and fintech. Additionally, SoftBank manufactures and distributes mobile devices and offers services in e-commerce, internet advertising, and IT solutions. The firm also engages in renewable energy by generating and supplying electricity. Beyond telecommunications, SoftBank has interests in various sectors, including media, professional sports, and fashion through platforms like ZOZOTOWN. With a global presence, SoftBank actively invests in growth-stage companies, aiming to foster innovation and technological advancement across diverse industries.

Past deals in Autonomous Vehicles

Xmov

Series C in 2022
Xmov is an AI company focusing on computer vision and computer graphics.

Veho

Series B in 2022
Veho Tech, Inc. is a parcel delivery service aimed at e-commerce retailers, providing end-to-end transportation solutions. Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, the company utilizes advanced technology and a crowdsourced model for final-mile delivery. Veho has developed a mobile application that allows users to monitor, track, and check the status of their packages, enhancing the delivery experience for both retailers and customers. By enabling individuals with cars to participate in the delivery process, Veho creates a flexible and efficient logistics network.

Platform Science

Series C in 2022
Platform Science, Inc. specializes in developing and integrating hardware and software solutions, along with Internet of Things (IoT) infrastructure, tailored for the transportation industry. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in La Jolla, California, the company offers a connected vehicle platform that includes essential telematics functionalities such as applications for compliance, safety, and productivity. This platform supports dynamic hardware configurations and partner integrations, facilitating innovations within the ecosystem. Additionally, Platform Science provides fleet management applications designed to enhance compliance, improve the driver experience, and optimize productivity. The company operates as a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, positioning itself at the forefront of the evolving landscape of connected trucks and the digital supply chain.

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.

Robin AI

Seed Round in 2021
Robin AI is a legal tech startup - we let you do your best work by automating everything else.

Gaussian Robot

Series C in 2021
Gaussian Robot, founded in 2013 and headquartered in Shanghai, China, specializes in the development and manufacture of commercial automatic sweeping robots. The company offers a range of products, including commercial cleaning robots, unmanned sanitation vehicles, security robot solutions, and building distribution robots. Gaussian Robot utilizes advanced technologies, such as simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), to enhance the capabilities of its autonomous robots. These innovations cater to various commercial applications, providing effective solutions for cleaning, surveillance, and facility management within the robotics industry.

Keenon Robotics

Series D in 2021
Keenon Robotics is a developer and innovator company that dedicated to develop commercial service robots.

Agile Robots

Series C in 2021
Agile Robots AG, founded in 2018 and headquartered in Gilching, Germany, specializes in developing artificial intelligence-based software for robotic solutions. The company focuses on creating intelligent robot systems that incorporate perception, intelligence, and actuation. Its core products include a lightweight 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arm, a general-purpose robot controller, and a robot vision system. Agile Robots emphasizes full-body force sensitivity and vision intelligence, enabling their robotic systems to interpret the shape, material, and measurements of various objects. This technology facilitates applications in manufacturing, medical assistance, and service robotics. With an additional office in Beijing, China, Agile Robots is dedicated to advancing the integration of AI with physical robotics.

Cobli

Series B in 2021
Cobli is a prominent IoT technology company focused on connected vehicles and logistics in Latin America. Established in 2017, the company offers a fleet management platform that integrates vehicles with the internet using plug-and-play hardware. This technology enables fleet managers to access critical vehicle data for improved routing and dispatch, enhanced client delivery communication, and automatic crash detection. Cobli serves over 1,000 clients across various sectors, including vehicle rental, emergency services, and equipment installation. The company is recognized for its innovative approach, having won the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition, and being named one of LinkedIn's top ten startups in Brazil. Cobli's platform also emphasizes safety and efficiency by analyzing data from solar-powered trackers to identify driver behaviors and address challenges related to dynamic routing and fraud monitoring.

Oosto

Series C in 2021
Osto offers enterprises the ability to better protect their customers, employees, and guests in real-time by analyzing safety and security threats in real-time without compromising on fair and ethical behavior.

Carro

Series C in 2021
Carro is an automotive marketplace that offers a full-stack service for all aspects of car ownership. It challenges the traditional way of buying and selling of cars through a proprietary pricing algorithm. Carro also provides a range of services that offer everything a car owner needs throughout their car ownership journeys such as an in-house financing solution warranty options and Singapore’s first on-demand roadside recovery platform. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Singapore.

DiDi Mobility Japan

Venture Round in 2021
DiDi Mobility is collaboration with taxi operators and related ministries and agencies.

XAG

Series D in 2020
XAG Co., Ltd. designs and develops drones, robots, autonomous driving solution, and artificial intelligence (AI) based equipment for agricultural industry. The company offers unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipment for various types of applications, such as model aircraft for weekend hobbyists and large-scale professional UAVs for commercial and industrial applications. The company offers aerial imaging and monitoring products, including flight control systems, multi-task weatherproof UAV systems, brushless gimbals, and frames; and commercial UAVs for lifting and logistics applications. Its commercial and industrial products and services are used for low-altitude airspace logistics, police force assistance, medical rescue assistance, forest fire prevention, geological prospecting, aerial photography, surveying, and arctic expedition. The company was founded in 2007 and is based in Guangzhou, China.

AUTO1 Group

Convertible Note in 2020
AUTO1 Group is a used-car marketplace with its own certified and diversified inventory and a technology platform that allows buyers and sellers. AUTO1 is aimed primarily at the used car trade. By connecting buyers and sellers through technology the company enables consumers as well as dealers to trade seamlessly. Sourcing from all channels including OEMs and dealerships. AUTO1 Group owns business units like AUTO1.com, Autohero.com or wirkaufendeinauto.de. AUTO1 Group operates in almost 30 countries and continues to expand rapidly.

DiDi Autonomous Driving

Venture Round in 2020
DiDi Autonomous Driving, focusing on advanced AD technology research and development, product application and other expanded businesses. DiDi’s advanced technologies, massive data, rich experience along with complete ecosystem in the mobility field will equip DiDi Autonomous Driving to build and operate world’s leading autonomous fleets.

Brain Corp

Series D in 2020
Brain Corp, founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Diego, California, develops a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that powers self-driving robots. Its flagship product, BrainOS, is an operating system designed to integrate with standard hardware and sensors, providing robots with advanced navigation capabilities in complex environments. The company's technology is utilized in various sectors, including delivery, healthcare, security, and personal services, particularly enhancing the functionality of commercial floor scrubbers. By specializing in robotics, machine learning, and indoor navigation, Brain Corp aims to support the production, deployment, and maintenance of autonomous machines across different industries. The company also has offices in Amsterdam and Tokyo, reflecting its global presence in the robotics market.

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.

Goggo Network

Series A in 2019
Goggo Network manufactures autonomous driverless cars. It provides autonomous, electric, and shared mobility solutions through the autonomous mobility networks. The company develops legal and engineering frameworks for the European autonomous mobility industry allowing them to deal with heavy traffic, pollution, and other major issues. Goggo Network is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.

Accel Robotics

Series A in 2019
Accel Robotics Corporation, founded in 2015 and headquartered in La Jolla, California, specializes in artificial intelligence solutions for retail environments. The company has developed an advanced visual intelligence platform that enhances customer experiences through its OMNIO robot, which facilitates a checkout-free shopping process. Shoppers can enter a store, select items, and leave without traditional checkouts, receiving receipts via text or app notifications. This technology empowers retailers to streamline operations, extend their market reach, and increase revenue while providing customers with a convenient shopping experience. Accel Robotics also maintains offices in Tokyo, Japan, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, focusing on areas such as computer vision, product design, and software development.

Cruise

Corporate Round in 2019
Cruise is a company focused on developing advanced self-driving vehicles aimed at enhancing road safety and improving urban mobility. The company operates in challenging environments, such as San Francisco, to test its autonomous technology in real-world traffic scenarios, which mirrors the complexities faced by human drivers. Cruise's zero-emission vehicles are manufactured using a combination of specialized hardware and software, which transforms the transportation experience for individuals in dense urban areas. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, Cruise seeks to restore freedom of movement while reducing carbon emissions and travel time for its users.

Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Venture Round in 2018
Cambridge Mobile Telematics Inc. specializes in transforming mobile sensor data into actionable insights, focusing on applications such as usage-based automotive insurance, automotive telematics, and smartphone application analysis. Founded in 2010 by two MIT professors and experienced entrepreneurs, the company has pioneered technologies for behavior-based insurance and offers solutions that include data analysis dashboards and a mobile sensing library for both Android and iOS platforms. CMT’s innovations enhance driver safety and improve road conditions by utilizing data from smartphones, vehicles, and other mobile devices. The company serves over 20 customers across 14 countries, solidifying its role as a key player in the telematics industry. Headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, CMT continues to advance mobile sensing technologies for various applications.

Cruise

Corporate Round in 2018
Cruise is a company focused on developing advanced self-driving vehicles aimed at enhancing road safety and improving urban mobility. The company operates in challenging environments, such as San Francisco, to test its autonomous technology in real-world traffic scenarios, which mirrors the complexities faced by human drivers. Cruise's zero-emission vehicles are manufactured using a combination of specialized hardware and software, which transforms the transportation experience for individuals in dense urban areas. By prioritizing safety and sustainability, Cruise seeks to restore freedom of movement while reducing carbon emissions and travel time for its users.

AUTO1 Group

Series F in 2018
AUTO1 Group is a used-car marketplace with its own certified and diversified inventory and a technology platform that allows buyers and sellers. AUTO1 is aimed primarily at the used car trade. By connecting buyers and sellers through technology the company enables consumers as well as dealers to trade seamlessly. Sourcing from all channels including OEMs and dealerships. AUTO1 Group owns business units like AUTO1.com, Autohero.com or wirkaufendeinauto.de. AUTO1 Group operates in almost 30 countries and continues to expand rapidly.

Fetch Robotics

Series B in 2017
Fetch Robotics, Inc. is a company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in developing and manufacturing autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics sectors. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on collaborative robots that enhance material handling and data collection processes. Its product offerings include the Fetch cloud robotics platform, VirtualConveyor for material transport, and DataSurvey for data collection. Fetch Robotics aims to provide reliable and safe autonomous mobile robot solutions, leveraging its expertise to improve efficiency in industrial operations. The company is recognized as a venture-backed startup in Silicon Valley, contributing significantly to advancements in robotics technology.

Brain Corp

Series C in 2017
Brain Corp, founded in 2009 and headquartered in San Diego, California, develops a cloud-based artificial intelligence platform that powers self-driving robots. Its flagship product, BrainOS, is an operating system designed to integrate with standard hardware and sensors, providing robots with advanced navigation capabilities in complex environments. The company's technology is utilized in various sectors, including delivery, healthcare, security, and personal services, particularly enhancing the functionality of commercial floor scrubbers. By specializing in robotics, machine learning, and indoor navigation, Brain Corp aims to support the production, deployment, and maintenance of autonomous machines across different industries. The company also has offices in Amsterdam and Tokyo, reflecting its global presence in the robotics market.

Nauto

Series B in 2017
Nauto is an AI-technology company that’s improving the safety of commercial fleets today and the autonomous fleets of tomorrow. Nauto’s intelligent driver safety system assesses how drivers interact with the vehicle and the road ahead to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. Nauto’s intelligent driver safety system assesses how drivers interact with the vehicle and the road ahead to reduce distracted driving and prevent collisions. With this knowledge, Nauto is powering the development of self-driving technology that brings the best of human driving to autonomy.

Global Mobility Service

Series B in 2017
Global Mobility Service is a financial service company to Creating new car value created by FinTech and cutting-edge IoT services.

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.

ACV

Series A in 2016
ACV Auctions, Inc. is a wholesale automotive auction company that operates a mobile platform designed for used-car dealers. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Buffalo, New York, ACV enables dealers to view, bid on, and purchase car inventory through online auctions. The platform facilitates dealer-to-dealer transactions by allowing users to select desired vehicles and receive alerts on their mobile devices when specific cars become available. Additionally, ACV provides a pricing application for franchise dealers and acts as a closing tool for wholesale buyers to bid on vehicles. This innovative marketplace streamlines the buying and selling process within the automotive industry.

Fetch Robotics

Series A in 2015
Fetch Robotics, Inc. is a company based in San Jose, California, that specializes in developing and manufacturing autonomous mobile robot solutions for the warehousing and intralogistics sectors. Founded in 2014, the company focuses on collaborative robots that enhance material handling and data collection processes. Its product offerings include the Fetch cloud robotics platform, VirtualConveyor for material transport, and DataSurvey for data collection. Fetch Robotics aims to provide reliable and safe autonomous mobile robot solutions, leveraging its expertise to improve efficiency in industrial operations. The company is recognized as a venture-backed startup in Silicon Valley, contributing significantly to advancements in robotics technology.

Proterra

Series A in 2011
Proterra Inc. designs and manufactures zero-emission electric buses, specializing in heavy-duty vehicles that enable fleet operators to reduce operating costs and eliminate fossil fuel dependency. The company’s product lineup includes 35-foot and 40-foot Catalyst transit vehicles, which are built to meet the diverse mileage needs of urban and regional routes on a single charge. Proterra also provides a range of services, including pre-delivery consultations, training programs, mid-life inspections, and battery management services. Their offerings extend to energy services such as fleet planning, charging infrastructure, and telematics. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Burlingame, California, Proterra has additional offices in South Carolina and California, and its products are designed, engineered, and manufactured in the United States. By helping customers transition to battery-electric transit solutions, Proterra has contributed to significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption.