Zurich-based Bota Systems nabs around €150K so robots can better interact and work with humans
Swiss startup Bota Systems, which is aiming to help robotic systems safely work in a dynamic environment and close to humans, has landed around €150K from Venture Kick.
Founded in the middle of the pandemic lockdown in March 2020, Bota Systems equips robotic systems with ’force sensing’ to feel and shape interactions within their environment. Bota Systems’ sensing solution can be integrated into a range of robotic systems – including robotic manipulators, inspection drones, surgical robots, or autonomous excavators.
According to investor Venture Kick, it is expected that more than half a million industrial robots are going to collaborate with humans by 2023. In contrast to existing solutions, robots that interact with or near humans require tactile and force-controllable systems. Machines must be equipped with force sensing to feel and shape the interaction with their surroundings, however, until today, some of the best available solutions are unreliable, bulky, and/or expensive.
In response, Bota Systems has developed an innovative plug-and-play force-sensing solution that is scalable and modular. Bota Systems’ solution can be integrated into any robotic system that requires sensing the interaction force with their environment, such as service and household robots, robot-assisted surgery systems, or manufacturing robots.
Bota Systems expects to enter and capture a big share of a market that will grow five times by 2025, according to Venture Kick, and serve customers such as integrators and operators of manufacturing robots, robot-assisted surgery platforms, rehabilitation devices, or autonomous excavators. In fact, several companies and laboratories, including the EPFL Robotics Lab, Carnegie Mellon University, and the University of California, have already ordered and are using Bota Systems’ sensors. The startup is also supported by ESA BIC Switzerland.
The next steps for Bota Systems include bringing awareness to its product portfolio and launching a new product in early 2021. Venture Kick will support Bota Systems’ plans for marketing and fundraising to scale the business and achieve international growth.
“Besides its financial support, Venture Kick connected us with a large network of business experts in the Swiss startup ecosystem. We were also able to attend business workshops and have intensive training with experienced professionals free of charge, which is much needed for our startup to create a business mindset,” said Klajd Lika, CEO of Bota Systems
