Ally Robotics – a start-up developing smart and affordable robotic arms – has launched a campaign to raise up to US$8.5m (£6.8m) in seed capital via equity crowdfunding site WAX.
Ally is already backed by restaurant automation firm Miso Robotics, with the company signing a statement of intent to become Ally’s first partner and purchase its robotic arms for its Flippy 2 product line, representing a potential revenue of US$30m (£24.2m).
According to the start-up, while robotics and automation have helped alleviate the well-documented labour shortage, the majority of robots are too expensive and are only deployed for the most difficult tasks that require heavy lifting or minute precision.
It is nearly impossible for companies struggling in low margin industries to integrate robotics into their operations – especially for use cases that require robots to work side by side with human beings, Ally said.
The start-up is therefore developing cost-effective and easy-to-use robotic arms to fill the gap in the restaurant and hospitality market, with eventual expansion to other sectors including agriculture, construction and manufacturing.
The hardware and no-code software technology that Ally is developing will also enable sensing control so the robotic arm understands the world around it.
“Ally isn’t content with simply developing and testing our technology in a lab,” said Mitch Tolson, CEO and founder of Ally Robotics.
“We want to get our robotic arms in the hands of real companies that are creating change for their customers. That is exactly why we’ve partnered with Miso to integrate Ally arms into Flippy. We see a future where Ally supplies retail-level robotic solutions that are affordable to all and empower every person and robot to do more, together.”
