Ambi Robotics raises $32M for sorting robots

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Ambi Robotics announced $32 million in additional funding for its AI-powered parcel sorting systems. The company has now raised about $67 million since it was founded in 2018. It closed a $26 million Series A in September 2021.

Existing investors Tiger Global and Bow Capital are joined by Ahren and the company’s strategic partner Pitney Bowes, a global shipping and mailing company. This funding announcement comes on the heels of a $23 million deployment expansion deal with Pitney Bowes. Ambi is completing the installation of more than 80 AmbiSort A-Series parcel sorting solutions across the U.S. to empower warehouse workers with automated sorting systems amid the rise of constant commerce demand.

Ambi is enabling warehouses to pull items from bulk inventory by using vision to guide robotic arms to grasp and then sort items. The company is a pioneer in the emerging simulation-to-reality AI for highly-dexterous robotics. Its AmbiOS software helps simplify new item training.

“Consumer shopping behavior is demanding a more modern warehouse. The strains of surging parcel volume shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of the supply chains’ most valued asset – people,” said Jim Liefer, CEO, Ambi Robotics. “It’s humbling to see such sophisticated investors stepping forward and contributing to the success of our mission to empower people to handle more.”

Ambi is deploying its next-generation AmbiSort A-Series v3, an upgraded model of the company’s flagship product, which is fully American National Safety Institute (ANSI) safety compliant. AmbiSort systems are full-stack sorting solutions, combining robotic picking, item analysis, and quality control with a proprietary ‘soft-touch’ end effector that handles boxes, flats, polybags, and other deformable or rigid items.

According to Ambi, each warehouse associate can work alongside three to four AmbiSort A-Series systems, increasing the average throughput-per-employee to over 1,200 items safely sorted per hour with more than 99% accuracy. AmbiSort systems are powered by AmbiOS, the company’s advanced operating system that leverages simulation-to-Sim2Real technology to teach robots to pick and pack millions of unique items on day one of deployment.

“Ambi Robotics is an important part of an innovation strategy that is helping Pitney Bowes improve service to our clients and efficiently grow our Global Ecommerce business,” said Gregg Zegras, EVP and president, global e-commerce at Pitney Bowes. “In Ambi Robotics, we see the same commitment to client-led innovation that has helped Pitney Bowes evolve and win in the marketplace for over 100 years. We look forward to continuing to work together to drive innovation in our Global Ecommerce hubs.”

Ambi Robotics co-founder Ken Goldberg appeared on The Robot Report Podcast in April 2021.

“We have unwavering dedication to supporting DeepTech companies at the intersection of ground-breaking science and the highest-end technology; a sweet spot that drives positive impact in the world,” said Alice Newcombe-Ellis, founding and general partner at Ahren. “Since the team’s breakthrough discoveries in Sim2Real AI, Ambi Robotics has remained focused on applying its technology to solving real-world problems, enabling critical services companies to execute on an overflowing supply chain and deliver to individuals globally.”