Rice Robotics raises $7 million to power SoftBank office delivery

Stylish robotics agency Rice Robotics wins lead order from SoftBank

Introduction

Throughout the extremely aggressive enterprise robotics enterprise, the flexibleness to guard key customers is a key differentiator for firms. One such firm, Hong Kong-based Rice Robotics, lately acquired a big order from the well-known multinational conglomerate SoftBank. This partnership paved the way in which for Rice Robotics to determine itself as a serious participant within the robotics market.

Rice Robotics present robots

Beginning in January 2021, Rice Robotics’ distinctive robots, that includes lovable cartoon blinking eyes, have been delivering 7-Eleven merchandise to SoftBank staff on the firm’s new headquarters in Takeshiba, Tokyo. These robots have nice capabilities, as they’ll carry a payload of as much as 30 kg and have a space for storing of 39 x 27 x 34 cm.

One of many key advantages of Rice Robotics provide robots is their capability to eradicate the necessity for workers to navigate by workplace buildings. As a substitute, staff can merely drop off client orders at a particular location and robots will autonomously retrieve them. This well-organized curriculum improves effectiveness and eliminates potential challenges associated to powerful work environments. The robotic has a steady working time of 12 hours and may be recharged in only one hour.

Accreditation and Funding

Rice Robotics’ partnership with SoftBank, together with its significant collaboration with numerous prospects, has garnered vital recognition throughout the enterprise. This recognition has resulted within the firm receiving a considerable amount of funding. In its newest Pre-Assortment A funding spherical, Rice Robotics raised $7 million from key buyers together with Alibaba Entrepreneur Fund, Soul Capital, Audacity Ventures, Photo voltaic Hung Kai & Company and Cyberport HK. Notably, there isn’t any lead investor on this spherical.

With this new funding, Rice Robotics plans to broaden its operations in Japan, which is presently the corporate’s main supply of earnings. Together with SoftBank, Rice Robotics has courted Japanese customers on a par with Toyota, Japan Publish and Mitsui Group.

Japan as an alternative choice to robotics firms

Japan has grow to be a well-liked journey vacation spot for Chinese language robotics firms seeking to broaden internationally. This want is essentially a results of the growing older inhabitants of Japan and their openness to adopting new utilized sciences. One other instance of a Chinese language robotics firm venturing into Japan is Sirius Robotics, which is backed by massive tech firm ByteDance.

robotics manufacturing in hong kong

Though southern China is thought for being residence to world-leading {hardware} provide chains, Rice Robotics is difficult standard knowledge by manufacturing its robots in Hong Kong as an alternative of mainland China. Regardless of the abundance of factories in mainland China and falling labor costs, Rice Robotics has discovered that manufacturing in its hometown considerably lowers the unit worth of its robots. Victor Lee, founder and CEO of Rice Robotics, revealed that the Hong Kong authorities is actively searching for to draw premium manufacturing to diversify an economic system that usually loses its attractiveness as a monetary hub in Asia .

Rice Robotics Manufacturing Progress

A portion of Rice Robotics’ present funds have been invested in organising a producing plant in Hong Kong. The power is unfold over an enormous 13,000 sq. toes and has quadrupled the corporate’s annual manufacturing capability from 500 to 2,000 robots. This growth permits Rice Robotics to fulfill the rising demand for its robots from Japan and past.

Incorporation of SLAM information

Rice Robotics incorporates the extensively used Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) expertise for robotic navigation. SLAM’s experience repeatedly compares the sensor data to a given map, permitting the system to construct an correct, on-the-fly mannequin of the atmosphere, thereby pinpointing the robotic’s precise location. With a beginning market worth of $9,000, Rice Robotics robots present superior navigation capabilities, thereby enhancing your total effectiveness and effectivity.

Diversification in Disinfection Robotic

Together with its vary of service robots, Rice Robotics additionally presents a variety of sanitizing robots. The demand for these robots elevated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, as did different robotics firms working on this space. This diversification permits Rice Robotics to fulfill the altering wants of assorted industries and meet the rising demand for superior sanitation choices.

conclusion

Rice Robotics has demonstrated its energy within the discipline of enterprise robotics by bagging a big order from SoftBank. This endorsement, together with the corporate’s significant partnerships and recognition from key leaders, has propelled Rice Robotics to prominence. With its revolutionary robots and rising manufacturing capability, Rice Robotics is well-positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for robotics alternate options, significantly in Japan and numerous world markets.

Regularly Requested Questions

1. How a lot is a SoftBank order required for Rice Robotics?

The order from SoftBank could be very vital for Rice Robotics because it establishes the corporate as an excellent participant within the enterprise of enterprise robotics. This partnership with a widely known multinational conglomerate like SoftBank enhances Rice Robotics’ credibility and supplies helpful publicity all through the enterprise.

2. How does Rice Robotics present duties to robots?

Rice Robotics’ provide robots take full benefit of their autonomous navigation capabilities to get client orders from designated components inside job web site buildings. This eliminates the necessity for provide workers to take care of difficult environments, streamlining the provision course of and growing effectiveness.

3. Who’re a number of the excellent clients of Rice Robotics?

Notable purchasers at Rice Robotics embrace Alibaba Entrepreneur Fund, Soul Capital, Audacity Ventures, Photo voltaic Hung Kai & Company and Cyberport HK. Nonetheless, there isn’t any such factor as a recognized lead investor within the newest funding spherical.

4. Why does Rice Robotics construct its robots in Hong Kong as an alternative choice to mainland China?

Rice Robotics manufactures its robots in Hong Kong to cut back manufacturing unit prices. Regardless of the presence of a number of factories in mainland China and declining labor prices, the corporate discovered that manufacturing in its hometown considerably diminished costs. As well as, the Hong Kong authorities actively encourage premium manufacturing to diversify the native financial system.

5. What information is used for navigation inside the Rice Robotics robotic?

Rice Robotics takes full benefit of simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM) insights for robotic navigation. SLAM repeatedly compares the information acquired from the sensors with a given map to construct an correct mannequin of the atmosphere, permitting the robotic to find out its precise location.

6. Along with supplying robots, what different merchandise does Rice Robotics present?

Together with offering robots, Rice Robotics presents a variety of Sanitizing Robots. These robots have been in excessive demand throughout the COVID-19 pandemic as there was a larger want for higher sanitation choices throughout a number of industries.

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