Invert Robotics Raises $ 8.8 Million for Inspection Robots Hanging on Non-Metallic Surfaces

Robots that hang on tanks of dangerous chemicals may look like science fiction, but Invert Robotics, based in Christchurch, New Zealand, is a by-product of the School of Engineering's 39, University of Canterbury and sells them for almost 10 years. The company's climbing machines can enter areas that are too small or dangerous for human workers and inspect equipment from various industries on a daily basis, including food, dairy products, aviation, the pharmaceutical industry and oil and gas.

In order to set the stage for its next phase of growth, Invert Robotics today announced it raised $ 8.8 million in a round of venture capital financing led by Finistere Ventures, with contributions from Yamaha Motor Ventures & Silicon Valley Laboratory (YMVSV) and existing investors, Allan Moss, Inception Asset Management and the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund. According to Mr. Crunchbase, the new capital brings its total amount raised to about $ 15.9 million. Managing Director Neil Fletcher said it will fuel the startup's expansion in the United States and expand its hardware platform.

"Our climbing robots go where other robots can not and people should not," Fletcher said. "Remote inspection solutions that take into account corrosion and high-pressure chemical treatment scenarios can help chemical companies improve the safety of their workers, optimize maintenance and avoid future tragedies … Finistere and Yamaha have already demonstrated an incredible amount of knowledge and pbadion. to leverage their deep technical and global support infrastructure to help us continue to evolve the business. "

Invert Robotics' remote-controlled machines, which weigh about five pounds and move at a maximum speed of 120 millimeters per second, use a suction-cup-like technology to bond to non-magnetic surfaces such as airframes. stainless steel, carbon fiber, aluminum and glbad. . Their adhesion mechanism does not require a large vacuum pump, and it is very energy efficient – even without energy, the robots will stick to the surfaces "for a while".

In addition to camera surveillance (1080p optical zoom and up to 30 times optical zoom), Invert Robotics robots can perform in-depth badyzes to measure wall thickness, evaluate the ## EQU1 ## And structural integrity and identify defects using surface wave and ultrasonic probe detection techniques. Operators receive a post-inspection evaluation report within 72 hours.

"We are providing our customers with a simpler, safer and faster way to inspect the safety and integrity of the most hazardous and toxic environments," Fletcher said, adding that the robot's sensors could detect defects. as small as 1/16 mm. "Industrial accidents can be expensive and sometimes fatal, but they can often be avoided."

The company said it has already conducted more than 1,000 inspections for "some of the world's largest companies" in the food, dairy, aviation, pharmaceuticals, petroleum and petrochemical sectors. gas and chemicals, including seven of the world's 10 largest dairy companies.

"New Zealand has become a home for pioneering companies," said Dean Tilyard, who will join Invert Robotics' board of directors as part of the funding phase, alongside observers from the board of directors, Arama Kukutai (co-founder of Finistère) and Craig Boshier (Yamaha Motor Ventures & Laboratory Partner). "Innovators like Invert Robotics need to find connected capital with strong international networks to help them adapt globally. Finistère and Yamaha are ideal investment partners to enable Invert to realize its full potential, "said Tilyard.