EU Obstacle Stalls Amazon's iRobot Agreement While Fresh Funding Energizes Thriving Drone Season
New Investment Boosts Robotics Sector as Amazon's iRobot Acquisition Faces EU Review
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In the world of robotics, this week brought a mix of positive and challenging developments. While new investment poured into emerging companies, established players faced obstacles. Amazon's potential acquisition of iRobot for $1.7 billion, previously approved by the U.K.'s antitrust regulators, now faces an extensive review by the European Union.
For a deeper analysis of the deal and a tribute to the late industry legend Joanne Pransky, check out the latest edition of Brian Heater's Actuator newsletter. Don't miss out on weekly updates by subscribing here.
Let's delve into the highlights of the past week's robotics news:
Verity secures $11M to propel the hot drone summer
Swiss startup Verity announced a fresh round of funding, adding to its $32 million Series B raised in March. With a noteworthy deal with Ikea, which deployed 100 Verity drones across 16 warehouses in Europe, the company has captured significant attention within the industry. The new funds will be directed towards scaling operations to meet the increasing demand for supply chain automation.
Pano AI secures $17M for wildfire detection automation
Pano AI, a company specializing in developing cameras capable of autonomously detecting wildfires, has raised an additional $17 million. Their technology has proven effective in providing early warnings, as showcased by its ability to detect and alert authorities about the Kutch Road Fire 14 minutes before the first 911 call was made.
