Connect with us

Technology

Lightspeed Invests in RobCo’s Growth Journey towards SME Robotics Automation Leadership

Published

on

Global venture capital firm Lightspeed and additional investors inject $42.5 million into the development and expansion of the company.RobCo is a facilitator for plug-and-play robot automation in SMEs today.Company is on track to become Europe’s leader in autonomous and intelligent robotics.The newly acquired capital will be primarily invested in further expanding distribution channels and advancing product development.

MUNICH, Feb. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — RobCo, an expert in modular, affordable, and connected robotics automation solutions for SMEs, welcomes global venture powerhouse Lightspeed Venture Partners as a new investor in a recent financing round (Series B). The company raised $42.5 million from Lightspeed and additional investors to fuel its development and growth trajectory. Former Apple and Nvidia investor Sequoia Capital, along with Kindred Capital and Promus Ventures, also participated. This round brings the total investment in RobCo to more than $60 million. The newly acquired capital will be primarily invested in further expanding distribution channels and advancing product development.

RobCo was founded in 2020 by three researchers at the Technical University of Munich’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Chair and specializes in the development of flexible robotic hardware kits for various applications in SME manufacturing, such as machine loading and unloading or palletizing. The kits enable a modular, intuitive assembly and adaptation of robotics applications based on the unique, vertically integrated hardware and software platform RobCo Studio. Thanks to it, the deployed robots can be configured, implemented, and managed remotely via a digital twin. The low-code approach eliminates the need for complex programming or specialized personnel. Furthermore, the platform is characterized by a modular end-to-end system equipped with all future-proof interfaces. An innovative sensor and software layer ensure the longevity of the hardware.

RobCo’s solutions cater specifically to SMEs, where machine utilization is worthwhile only if they can be quickly and flexibly reprogrammed for changing tasks. RobCo aids companies in entering the realm of automation and transitioning towards Industry 4.0.

“Through a comprehensive RobCo automation solution in the palletizing area, we can actively address the ongoing shortage of skilled workers with technology and at the same time save costs”, explains Martin Matern, plant manager at DE-VAU-GE Gesundkostwerk Deutschland GmbH in Lüneburg.

Sense, Reason, Act – Autonomous and Intelligent Automation Robotics for All Businesses

“The ongoing development of our modular robotic platform for industrial use is crucial for addressing the current and future challenges in economy and society. Today, our robots can already be set up, programmed, and managed with software and AI assistance. The next step is to make industrial robots even more autonomous and intelligent in their operational environment”, says Roman Hölzl, CEO and Co-founder of RobCo. “With our RobCo Autonomy approach, we focus on a deeper implementation of AI in our software so that robots can autonomously sense, reason, and act in their environment, planning and executing actions independently in the near future.”

“The use of robotics in the industrial setting was previously reserved almost exclusively for large corporations with the corresponding financial and human resources”, emphasizes Alex Schmitt, Partner at Lightspeed. “High costs and enormous complexity made them partly unaffordable and challenging to manage for small and medium-sized enterprises. RobCo has already made a significant breakthrough in this field with its developments. We recognize both technological and commercial potential for the German and international markets. It is crucial to optimally foster this potential and make robotic automation solutions accessible to all companies.”

“We are only at the beginning of an extensive journey in automation and aim to become a leader in modular robot automation for SMEs in Europe. RobCo is uniquely positioned with its easy-to-implement robots that offer a positive ROI from day one”, adds Roman Hölzl. “We see ourselves as an extension of companies in automating their production and supporting the transformation towards Industry 4.0. The fact that a venture capital powerhouse like Lightspeed supports our next steps with a $42.5 million financing round tells us that we are on the right path – and is an incredible motivational boost for all of us to take our solutions to the next level.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

The Battery Show Asia 2025: Uniting Global Innovators in Hong Kong

Published

on

By

July 15-17, 2025 | AsiaWorld-Expo, Hong Kong

HONG KONG, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The Battery Show, organized by Informa Markets, is a globally recognized platform for cutting-edge battery technology, energy storage solutions and electric/hybrid vehicle (EV/HV) innovations. It is expanding its reach with the inaugural The Battery Show Asia 2025, which will take place from July 15-17, 2025, at AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong. This landmark event builds on the long-lasting success of The Battery Show in North America and Europe, highlighting the strategic importance of the Asian in the fast-evolving advanced battery, energy storage and e-mobility sectors. 

Over three days, The Battery Show Asia 2025 will feature 350+ exhibitors, attract over 15,000 industry professionals, and host 150+ expert speakers. The event will be a pivotal meeting ground for innovators, engineers, manufacturers, and thought leaders from Asia and around the world, offering a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and business development in this dynamic industry.

Hong Kong, strategically located within the Greater Bay Area (GBA), is an ideal venue for this prestigious event. With its world-class connectivity and business-friendly environment, Hong Kong offers unparalleled access to the vibrant and diverse markets of China and the broader Asia-Pacific region, making it the perfect location for industry professionals looking to expand their global business footprint, either into Asia or from Asia to the rest of world.

The Battery Show Asia 2025 will feature a comprehensive exhibition showcasing the latest advancements in battery technology, energy storage solutions, and EV/HV innovations. Complementing the exhibition will be a cutting-edge conference program addressing critical topics such as policy and regulation, advanced technology, hydrogen energy, emerging applications, and investment trends. The show will be co-located with Mobility Tech Asia and Data Center Asia, further enhancing its appeal and reach across interconnected sectors.

Attendees will have exclusive opportunities to engage with leading battery and component manufacturers, EV/HV producers, renewable energy experts, and influential decision-makers from across the globe. With a strong international presence, the event promises to foster meaningful connections and strategic partnerships, particularly for those looking to engage with China’s rapidly advancing technology sector.

A series of exclusive networking events, including VIP receptions, an all-day Open Tech Forum, and the premium TBSA/MTA 2025 Conference, will offer additional opportunities for deep engagement and collaboration. Whether you’re showcasing innovations, exploring market insights, or expanding your professional network, The Battery Show Asia 2025 is the essential event to drive your business forward.

Contact:
For more information or partnership and sales inquiries, please contact:
info@thebatteryshow.asia

About Informa Markets:
Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate, and grow. Through our comprehensive portfolio of exhibitions, digital content, and services, we enable customers and partners to connect, discover new opportunities, and drive industry progress.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-battery-show-asia-2025-uniting-global-innovators-in-hong-kong-302254003.html

SOURCE Informa Markets Asia-The Battery Show Asia & Mobility Tech Asia

Continue Reading

Technology

Valmet to supply a new BCTMP line and an evaporator line to JK Paper Limited in India

Published

on

By

Valmet Oyj press release, September 20, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. EEST

ESPOO, Finland, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Valmet is to supply a new bleached chemi-thermomechanical pulp (BCTMP) line and a related evaporator line to JK Paper Limited’s Fort Songadh mill in India. The new BCTMP line will manufacture high-quality BCTMP pulp for lightweight coated board production. The start-up is scheduled for the end of 2025.

The order was included in Valmet’s orders received of the second quarter 2024. The value of the order will not be disclosed.

“The new BCTMP and evaporator line will play a crucial role in our production process, enabling us to meet increasing market demands while adhering to the highest quality and environmental responsibility standards. Valmet’s unique high-temperature (HT) BCTMP technology will allow us to achieve superior pulp quality and energy efficiency, ensuring that we remain competitive in the global marketplace,” says A.S. Mehta, President, JK Paper Limited.

“The BCTMP order from JK Paper marks a significant continuation of our cooperation. We are privileged that Valmet has been chosen to contribute to their ongoing success. Our advanced HT-BCTMP and evaporator line technologies will enhance their production capabilities and support their efforts to minimize environmental impact through energy-efficient and resource-saving solutions,” says Fredrik Willgottson, Vice President, Pulp & Energy, Asia Pacific, Valmet.

Technical details about the delivery

The 400 ADMT/d BCTMP line is based on Valmet’s HT-BCTMP technology for optimized impregnation, producing pulp with high bulk and low shive content at minimum energy consumption. The line will include all main process technology for chip washing, pre-steaming, PREX impregnation, HC refining, MC bleaching, HC bleaching, LC refining, screening, reject refining, steam separation, heat recovery, and pulp washing.

The delivery includes a Mechanical Vapor Recompression (MVR) tube evaporator plant for handling the BCTMP plant liquor. It covers MVR evaporator effects, a tube concentrator, and a condensate treatment plant. The evaporator line includes Valmet’s patented Internal Condensate Treatment for producing cleaner condensate for recycling in the mill. The new line will have a design capacity of 180 tons of water per hour.

Information about JK Paper Limited

JK Paper Limited, an integrated pulp and paper plant, was established in 1962. The company is a leading Indian producer of office papers, coated papers, writing and printing papers, and high-end packaging boards. The company has three integrated Pulp and Paper Mills: Unit JKPM at Rayagada (Odisha), Unit CPM at Songadh (Gujarat), and Unit SPM at Kagaznagar, Telangana. The company’s installed capacity is around 800,000 tonnes per annum.

VALMET
Corporate Communications

For further information, please contact:
Pawan Kumar Agarwal, Director, India Region, Asia Pacific, Valmet, tel. +91 96540 69641
Fredrik Willgottson, Vice President, Pulp and Energy, Asia Pacific, Valmet, tel. +66 61384 7911

Valmet has a global customer base across various process industries. We are a leading global developer and supplier of process technologies, automation and services for the pulp, paper and energy industries, and with our automation and flow control solutions we serve an even wider base of process industries. Our more than 19,000 professionals around the world work close to our customers and are committed to moving our customers’ performance forward – every day.

The company has over 220 years of industrial history and a strong track record in continuous improvement and renewal. Valmet’s net sales in 2023 were approximately EUR 5.5 billion.

Valmet’s shares are listed on the Nasdaq Helsinki and the head office is in Espoo, Finland.

Follow us on valmet.com | X | X (IR) | LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube | Instagram |

Processing of personal data

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/valmet-oyj/r/valmet-to-supply-a-new-bctmp-line-and-an-evaporator-line-to-jk-paper-limited-in-india,c4040301

The following files are available for download:

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/valmet-to-supply-a-new-bctmp-line-and-an-evaporator-line-to-jk-paper-limited-in-india-302254006.html

Continue Reading

Technology

The Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference Held

Published

on

By

LOUDI, China, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — On September 12, the opening ceremony and keynote speeches of the Second “FROM ZIQUEJIE TERRACES TO THE WORLD” Global Farming Culture Exchange and Mutual Learning Conference were presented in Xinhua County, Loudi City, Hunan Province. Over 200 guests, including representatives from international organizations such as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), diplomats from terrace-cultivating countries like France and Peru, and domestic and international experts from the agriculture, culture, and tourism sectors, gathered to discuss key issues including the protection of global agricultural cultural heritage and the development of the green agricultural economy. Together, they explored ways to preserve and promote farming culture, showcasing Hunan’s unique approach to agricultural heritage protection and innovation, while contributing China’s solutions for the safeguarding of global agricultural cultural heritage.

During the opening ceremony, the Consensus on the Integrated Development of Terraces in Agriculture, Culture, and Tourism was released. The document promotes the understanding of the value of terraces, the protection of terrace ecosystems, the preservation of farming culture, the active promotion of agriculture, culture, and tourism integration, enhanced international exchange and cooperation, and the innovation of development models. The aim is to promote the effective protection and sustainable development of terraces globally, deepen the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism, build distinctive terrace-based industrial chains, enhance the overall competitiveness of terrace regions, and achieve ecological, economic, and social benefits for all.

Terraced fields exemplify the harmonious coexistence of human ingenuity and nature. They carry rich agricultural traditions and historical memories, and their value in preserving biodiversity, ensuring food security, and promoting regional economic development is immeasurable. The Ziquejie Terraces, recognized as both a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System and a World Heritage Irrigation Structure, are the product of the collective labor of the Miao, Yao, Dong, Han, and other ethnic groups throughout history. These terraces are a historical testament to the merging of mountain hunting cultures with rice farming cultures.

Looking ahead, Loudi City will further strengthen the protection of agricultural cultural heritage, promote cultural inheritance, and foster the integration of agriculture, culture, and tourism. Through these efforts, it aims to provide concrete examples of “authentic protection, living use, and industrial integration” for the world.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2510688/FROM_ZIQUEJIE_TERRACES_TO_THE_WORLD.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-second-from-ziquejie-terraces-to-the-world-global-farming-culture-exchange-and-mutual-learning-conference-held-302254010.html

Continue Reading

Trending