TDK Corporation, a well-established Japanese multinational electronics company, has recently announced that its subsidiary, TDK Ventures, is investing in ANYbotics, a prominent Swiss firm known for its advancements in industrial inspection robotics. This strategic investment aligns with TDK’s ambition to explore the potential of robotics in transforming industrial operational paradigms.
TDK has expressed a strong commitment to enhancing the capabilities of robots and redefining industrial processes. The firm’s declaration of being “passionate about pushing the limits of what robots can do” underscores its intent to integrate high-performance hardware, artificial intelligence (AI), and cutting-edge software to generate significant return on investment for customers.
ANYbotics has made considerable strides in establishing itself as a reliable partner within the industry, having garnered the trust of numerous major companies around the globe. The company recently raised an additional $60 million in funding, bringing its total capital to $130 million. The latest funding round, which saw participation from leading investors in Europe and Silicon Valley, is expected to propel ANYbotics’ expansion plans, particularly its ventures into the US market.
Founded by a team of experts from ETH Zurich, including co-founder and CEO Dr Péter Fankhauser, ANYbotics is at the forefront of AI-driven robotics. The firm has developed multiple patents focused on robotic systems designed specifically for industrial applications over the past 15 years. Recently, Andrea Corda, a veteran with over two decades of experience in complex mechatronic systems, was appointed as chief technology officer to lead the development of next-generation robotic architectures.
ANYbotics is widely known for deploying its signature robot, ANYmal, which is equipped with high-quality sensors and can perform a variety of inspection tasks autonomously. The company's active deployments of approximately 200 ANYmal units across major industrial facilities have led to substantial improvements in operational uptime and preventive maintenance measures, especially for clients such as BP, Equinor, Novelis, Outokumpu, and Equans. The platform automates routine inspections, resulting in enhanced asset health monitoring and operational efficiency.
ANYmal is designed specifically for challenging industrial environments, featuring an IP67 rating for water and ingress protection. Its capabilities include monitoring assets, identifying thermal anomalies, detecting gas leakages, and constructing and updating 3D models, thereby providing industrial operators with advanced insights and operational "superpowers".
Nicolas Sauvage, president of TDK Ventures, commented on the partnership, stating: “ANYbotics’ quadruped robot, ANYmal, is the competitive choice for customers that care about reliability and turnkey deployment. They have built a complete solution.” He further articulated his enthusiasm for potential synergies between ANYbotics and TDK's portfolio companies within the industrial and energy sectors.
In a statement reflecting on the integration of human and robotic efforts, Fankhauser said: “At ANYbotics, we believe in teaming up humans with autonomous robots, where the robot is the coworker to take over repetitive and dangerous tasks.” He emphasised the company's goal of empowering businesses with cutting-edge robotic technology that fosters seamless collaboration between humans and robots, yielding improved operational results.
TDK Ventures is keen on fostering innovative technologies that promise substantial and positive impacts. With its alignment to TDK's vision of innovation, ANYbotics is poised to continue its journey, promising enhanced safety and efficiency for industries globally. The ongoing collaboration signifies a key step in the evolution of AI and robotics, potentially reshaping operational dynamics across various sectors.
Source: Noah Wire Services