With aging populations and the COVID-19 pandemic driving the need for contactless delivery, the demand for service robots has surged, according to Pudu Technology Inc. The Shenzhen, China-based company this month completed its C2-series financing, only four months after it raised C1 funding. Pudu Robotics said it has raised a total of $155 million.
The startup is committed to the “spirit of invention” in its mission to improve productivity, efficiency, and smart living, said Felix Zhang, founder of Pudu Robotics. The company is hiring, he added.
Founded in 2016, Pudu said tens of thousands of its commercial service robots are in use in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. Its robots have supported contactless delivery, especially in restaurants and hospitals.
Pudu serves multiple locations
Pudu Robotics has developed technologies for positioning and navigation, motion control, multi-machine scheduling, and obstacle avoidance. It said it has submitted 600 patent applications, more than 60% of which are for new inventions.
The company added that its understanding of user needs have enabled it to provide robots for a wide range of environments. Pudu's mobile robots are working in supermarkets, government offices, airports, and high-speed train stations.
These include the PuduBot delivery robot, the BellaBot premium delivery robot, and the HolaBot delivery robot with paging and notification features.
Pudu also offers the Puductor 2 disinfection robot, the KettyBot delivery and reception robot, and the FlashBot building delivery robot. Launched this year, KettyBot includes features such as Ad display, customer interaction, greeting and ushering, and AI voice interaction.
Distinct from KettyBot, FlashBot is designed to deliver items in offices and hotels and is able to ride in an elevator along with human passengers, according to the company.
The Puductor 2 is used by organizations such as Square Cabin Hospitals in Thailand and hospital chains in Russia.
Funding to support growth
Meituan, Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund, Shenzhen Investment Holdings, and Sequoia Capital China jointly led Pudu's Series C2 financing. Taihecap was the independent financial advisor.
Pudu Robotics raised $78 million in C1 funding in May and about $77 million in C2 funding. The company said it plans to use its latest investment for research and development, new site launches, and expansion of its global network.
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