ZOA Robotics has secured seed investment worth £85,000 from the British Robotics Seed Fund (BRSF).
ZOA is developing four-legged robots with the grace of animals that can move anywhere. It’s looking to introduce low cost highly mobile robots to tackle movement of goods across sites with uneven ground and multiple levels, reducing the use of manual labour to move around payloads.
The robots will be targeted at businesses operating on large, or remote sites, with uneven terrain where items need moving and where wheels struggle. This includes oil rigs, industrial process plants and construction sites.
The idea is for ZOA’s robots to boost productivity and safety. When used for logistics, the robots reduce workers time spent on fetching parts, equipment or consumables. While remote inspection and maintenance via robots means that workers no longer need to visit hazardous environments.
The £85,000 investment is the first of a series that have been made by the UK’s robotics-focussed investment firm, and is in a company that is raising further investment on the new and complementary robotics crowdfunding platform Britbots CROWD.
The money will be used to scale up the existing prototype to carry heavier loads, and implement machine learning for improved control and autonomy.
Founder and CEO of ZOA Thiago Azevedo (pictured above) said: “We are building a four-legged robot about the size of a large dog. Customers need only tell it where to go, and the robot automatically negotiates obstacles, uneven terrain and stairs.
“We have a great team with extensive experience in robotics, manufacturing and a focus on customer value proposition. BRSF has been an incredible help in refining our business model and plan. The team’s knowledge and experience is extremely valued as ZOA Robotics establishes itself in this competitive sector.”
Azevedo previously worked as the Commercial Director at Shadow Robot, where he turned the company around, fixed management lines, production and sales. He was also the Commercial Director and co-founder of MGT Teesside, an independent power company which raised £950 million in project finance raised, and is now under construction.
CEO of Britbots Dominic Keen added: “The business is just one of the exciting British robotics start-up we are supporting. Our initial portfolio is shaping up well and demonstrates the innovative British ventures in this dynamic field. However, the £85,000 investment from the BRSF is just the start. We have now also put the company on our Britbots CROWD platform and are looking to augment the amount raised.”
