Robot Launch 2018 is in full swing – just like Tennibot!

With the Robot Launch 2018 competition in full swing – deadline May 15 for entries wanting to compete on stage in Brisbane at ICRA 2018 – we thought it was time to look at last years’ Robot Launch finalists. Tennibot won the CES 2018 Innovation Award, was covered in media like Times, Discovery Channel and LA Times.  Tennibot also won $40,000 from the Alabama Launchpad competition and are launching a crowdfunding campaign today!

Tennibot uses computer vision and artificial intelligence to locate/pick up tennis balls and navigate on the court. Tennibot is the world’s first autonomous tennis ball collector. The Tennibot team has already won the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge. So, if you think that Tennis + Robots = Your kind of sport – then head over to Tennibot.com to learn more and purchase your Tennibot before it’s too late!

Other 2017 finalists include 

• Semio, from California have a software platform for developing and deploying social robot skills.
• Apellix from Florida who provide software controlled aerial robotic systems that utilize tethered and untethered drones to move workers from harm’s way.
• Mothership Aeronautics from Silicon Valley have a solar powered drone capable of ‘infinity cruise’ where more power is generated than consumed.
• Kinema Systems, impressive approach to logistical challenges from the original Silicon Valley team that developed ROS.
• BotsandUs, highly awarded UK startup with a beautifully designed social robot for retail.
• Fotokite, smart team from ETHZurich with a unique approach to using drones in large scale venues.
• C2RO, from Canada are creating an expansive cloud based AI platform for service robots.
• krtkl, from Silicon Valley are high end embedded board designed for both prototyping and deployment.

Apellix were also winners of Automate 2017 startup competition. Mothership have raised a $1.25 million seed round from the likes of Draper Ventures. Kinema Systems has just won the NVIDIA Inception Challenge out of more than 200 entrants and splits $1 million prize money with two other AI startups. BotsAndUs have trialled Bo in more than 11,000 customer service interactions. Krtkl is focused on revenue not fundraising, C2RO is building partnerships with companies like Qihan. And Fotokite just won the $1 million Genius NY competition.

You can watch the pitch presentation here: https://youtu.be/BzcrREvD8k0

You’ll also see some other familiar names from the shortlist for 2017, not to mention lots of success for our 2016 top startups. We can’t wait to see who will be finalists in 2018!

The Robot Launch startup competition has been running since 2014 and has helped robotics startups reach investors, build a reputation and grow their markets. We’ve had entries from all over the world and one of the significant trends has been how rapidly the stage of startup entrants has advanced. We now judge startups in several divisions: Preseed, Seed and PostSeed (or Pre Series A)