Considering how quickly the robotics industry is expanding and the demand for machine learning methods, it’s no wonder that some of the best robotics startups have appeared on the market in recent years.
If the robotics market is a field that excites you, continue reading this article for a closer look at the hottest robotics startup companies, their funding, and the thrilling tech they’re working on. We also discuss how startups can be a great opportunity for your career growth.
What Are Robotics Startup Companies?
Robotics startup companies are small, newer businesses that create highly complex robots and sell them to other companies or individuals for consumer or commercial use. Startups are in their initial years of operations, and the founders typically fund the business to kickstart its operations. These owners acquire funding from investors, loans, crowdfunding, family, or friends.
Top Robotics Companies That Began As Startups
Top robotics companies that began as startups include Mitsubishi and Boston Dynamics. From a mobile robot to autonomous vehicles, a startup can progressively grow and become one of the top-ranked robotics companies. Below you’ll find a few of the biggest robotics companies that took the startup path and succeeded.
Big Robotics Companies
- Rockwell Automation
- Mitsubishi
- YUKA
- iRobot
- Boston Dynamics
The Best Robotics Startup Companies
| Company Name | Location | Funding | Number of Employees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Robotics | Pasadena, California | $50K | 1 – 10 (2021) |
| AMP Robotics | Greater Denver Area, Colorado | $74.5M | 251 – 500 (2022) |
| Bear Robotics | Redwood City, California | $115.8M | 101 – 250 (2022) |
| Diligent Robotics | Austin, Texas | 15.9M | 51 – 100 (2021) |
| Farmwise | San Francisco, California | $20.2M | 51 – 100 (2021) |
| Rethink Robotics | Boston, Massachusetts | $149.5M | 101 – 250 (2020) |
| Robust AI | Palo Alto, California | $22.5M | 11 – 50 (2021) |
| Simbe Robotics | San Francisco, California | $26M | 11 – 50 (2021) |
| Vecna Robotics | Waltham, Massachusetts | $128.5M | 251 – 500 (2022) |
| Voliro Airborne Robotics | Zurich, Switzerland | $2.2M | 11 – 50 (2020) |
The Top Robotics Startups: A Closer Look
Advanced Robotics
- Founded: 2020
- Funding: $50K
This California-based robotics startup uses current technology and systems to deliver various medications to pharmacies. This integrated robotic solution uses deep learning methodologies and medical database access to ensure more user-friendly, hygienic, and error-free medication delivery. The autonomous machines are also powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to consult with patients one-to-one.
AMP Robotics
- Founded: 2015
- Funding: $74.5M
AMP Robotics is a startup that is developing robotics technology to improve the global recycling infrastructure. The company uses automation and AI to improve recycling speed and recover recyclables that could be used as raw materials, such as electronics and construction materials. With incredible speed, the AMP Cortex system identifies recyclables by color, brand label, shape, and patterns and then sorts them accordingly.
Bear Robotics
- Founded: 2017
- Funding: $115.8M
Bear Robotics manufactures intelligent robots designed to serve food to diners in restaurants. The robotic startup’s goal is to revolutionize the food service industry using robust AI and robotics and close the industry gaps relating to labor shortages, wage costs, and repetitive tasks done by human workers.
Diligent Robotics
- Founded: 2017
- Funding: $15.9M
Diligent Robotics manufactures collaborative robots designed to work together with humans to ease the workload of professionals in everyday environments. These technologically advanced robots come with social intelligence, mobile manipulation, and human-guided machine learning capabilities. The startup’s first product is a medical robot named Moxi that assists clinical staff in daily logical tasks so that the majority of work duties focus on giving quality care to patients.
Farmwise
- Founded: 2016
- Funding: $20.2M
This San Francisco-based robotic startup uses artificial intelligence to build adaptive farming robotic systems and processes that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and increase food production in the agriculture industry. Farmwise’s technology enables robots to combat weeds and other pests on the field without using pesticides and harmful chemicals.
Rethink Robotics
- Founded: 2008
- Funding: $149.5 million
Female-founded Rethink Robotics brings skilled labor in the form of advanced robots to the manufacturing sector. These industrial robots are cost-effective, trainable, and safe to work with teams of skilled human workers. Rethink also provides a humanoid robotic platform for research and corporate purposes, with advanced sensors and an open software development kit.
Robust AI
- Founded: 2019
- Funding: 22.5M
Robotics AI is a California-based robotics startup that works to reduce the amount of time required to set up robotics software systems. With common sense AI and a cognitive engine, it develops software that is more efficient, fast, and capable of handling unpredictable situations and circumstances within robotic technology.
Simbe Robotics
- Founded: 2014
- Funding: $26M
Simbe Robotics creates automation for mundane, repetitive tasks in the retail industry. Simbe’s flagship product, Tally, performs common tasks such as shelf auditing for misplaced items, out-of-stock items, and pricing errors. As a humanoid robot, Tally collaborates with employees and shoppers, working safely during regular store hours.
Vecna Robotics
- Founded: 2018
- Funding: 128.5M
The large startup Vecna Robotics provides automated workflow optimization solutions, hybrid fulfillment, and material handling to modernize customer productivity. The company operates with a driven, fast-paced vision that will pave the way for the future of automation technology across all sectors.
Voliro Airborne Robotics
- Founded: 2019
- Funding: $2.2M
Voliro manufactures flying robots for maintenance and inspection tasks in the airline and flight industry. It offers innovative flying robots that enhance the aspect of omnidirectional aerial vehicles where the orientation and position of the platform are independent. The robots are able to accurately survey all types of landscapes and surfaces, and they are the only drones on the market that feature a 360º design.
Benefits of Working at a Robotics Startup
There are several benefits of working at a robotics startup. Technology offers many opportunities to work in exceptional companies. If you have the proper education and skills and want to get a job in robotics, you’ll find that there are many advantages to working for a startup. Below you’ll find some of the benefits of working at a robotics startup.
Top 5 Reasons to Work at a Robotics Startup
- More learning opportunities. Robotics startups may not have enough funds to hire more employees. This means that you’re likely to work in various departments, so you’ll gain more knowledge of the robotics industry.
- Flexible working hours. Since robotics startups utilize advanced technology, they often offer opportunities to work remotely. This allows you to handle other responsibilities with ease in the comfort of your own home.
- Entrepreneurial skills. Working in a startup will allow you to get first-hand experience of the challenges associated with starting a company. This will equip you with skills you can use in the future to start or manage your own business.
- Job satisfaction. As an employee in a robotics startup, you’ll feel more involved in the growth and functioning of the company. You’ll have an idea of what decisions are being made collaboratively, and you’ll enjoy the job satisfaction of having a key role that contributes to the future success of the company.
- Unique opportunities for innovation. You’ll quickly grow your technical skills while working in an environment that utilizes advanced technology. You may be allowed to showcase your innovation for peer evaluation, and these kinds of opportunities will improve your innovativeness.
Can a Coding Bootcamp Help Me Get a Job at a Robotics Startup?
Yes, a coding bootcamp can help you get a job at a robotics startup by enabling you with the necessary skills needed in the tech industry. Coding helps you learn popular programming languages and how to develop software. Through coding, you can learn how to make robot hardware, which is an important skill to have in the robotics industry.
Top Bootcamps with Robotics Programs
- Hack Reactor. Hack Reactor teaches software engineering concepts in its various online bootcamps to ensure that students can secure jobs in the tech field.
- Kenzie Academy. Kenzie Academy offers various online courses such as UX, software engineering, and soft skills to provide a competitive advantage for students to get careers in the tech industry.
- General Assembly. GA offers software engineering bootcamps to prepare students for jobs in the tech industry. You can also take engineering courses to give you proper skills in planning, designing, and developing the best automation and robots.
- Iron Hack. Iron Hack offers courses in data analysis, computational thinking, AI, and coding. Learning these skills will take you far in the robotics industry.
- The Tech Academy. You can utilize various robotics programs in this institution, such as the Python Developer bootcamp. With software skills, you can come up with complex systems to run robust and reliable robots.
Common Jobs in Robotics
- Robotics engineer: These professionals develop, design, build, test, and service robots. They work with software engineers to make robots and automation that are cost-effective and safe, thanks to available computer-aided designs.
- Software engineer: Software engineers build complex computer systems that power the robots to ensure they are safe and efficient for human interaction. They use computer programming languages and designs to make sure robots function optimally.
- Sales engineer: These are professionals who utilize their sales skills and robotics functioning skills. They have a deep understanding of how robots work and assist clients in effectively using them. They collaborate with aerospace, mechanical, and robotics engineers to modify automation to meet customer needs.
- Aerospace engineer: Aerospace engineers maintain and design aerial robots, such as drones and surveillance robots. These professionals also work with artificial intelligence that is used in flying robots and perform inspection, maintenance, and programming tasks.
Should I Work for a Robotics Startup Company?
Yes, you should work for a robotics startup company because it will give you increased job satisfaction, flexible working hours, and plenty of opportunities to learn and apply innovative skills. Startups can aid career growth and ensure you’re better positioned to work in even bigger robotics companies.
Best Robotics Startups FAQ
Yes, there is plenty of money to be made while working in a robotics company. According to PayScale, the average salary of a robotics engineer is $85,075 per year, and the industry is expanding rapidly.
It is not terribly hard to get a job in a robotics startup as long as you have the required skills. You’ll need to have a strong robotics portfolio, and with resilience in applying for open positions, you can be sure to get a great job.
Robots are important for the world because they increase efficiency by saving time and reducing costs, which strengthens the economy. They also ensure human safety by working in environments that would otherwise be dangerous for human beings. Therefore, it is worth pursuing a career as a robotics engineer and immersing yourself in this exciting field.
Yes, a coding bootcamp that will equip you with the relevant skills and projects needed to master robotics tasks can be sufficient for an entry-level job in robotics. Some of the most relevant courses will teach you a variety of approaches regarding software development, software engineering, AI, and data science.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
