The Human Touch Robotics, based in Oslo, has secured a €1.76M (20 million NOK) seed round investment from venture capital firms ProVenture and Voima Ventures. Specializing in revolutionizing the online grocery sector, the company develops innovative robotic solutions to automate the packing process for online groceries. The funding will be utilized to refine technology, achieve market readiness, expand market reach, and scale up production. The company’s key components include Dexter, an adaptive gripper, Deep-eye, an AI computer vision software, and Noyce, an intelligent path planning system. This investment underscores confidence in The Human Touch Robotics’ approach and aims to accelerate the development and deployment of their groundbreaking robotic solutions, setting a new standard for online grocery automation.
Online grocery shopping has seen significant growth in recent years, presenting both convenience and challenges. One of the critical challenges faced by online grocers is efficient and cost-effective automation of the packing process. As online grocery shopping continues its expansion, the problem of maintaining the accuracy of order fulfillment and the high costs associated with manual packing have become apparent. The Human Touch Robotics aims to tackle this issue head-on by introducing a cutting-edge robotic cell designed for pick and pack operations.
The Human Touch Robotics’ solution comprises three innovative core components – Dexter, Deep-eye, and Noyce – forming a triad of cutting-edge technology at the forefront of revolutionizing online grocery packing. Dexter, the Adaptive Gripper, stands out with its versatility, capable of delicately handling a diverse range of food and grocery items, ensuring precision even with the most delicate and perishable goods. Deep-eye, the AI computer vision software, serves as the eyes of the robotic cell, providing instant data to help analyze and efficiently pick items from crowded bins or cluttered spaces, thereby enhancing overall packing efficiency. Noyce, the Intelligent Path Planning system, acts as the brain behind the robot’s movement in dynamic warehouse environments. This component ensures the robot navigates through densely packed spaces with utmost efficiency, minimizing errors, and maximizing productivity with fast pick and place cycles. Together, these components play a pivotal role in streamlining the entire packing operation, marking a significant advancement in the automation of online grocery processes.
The test facility that The Human Touch Robotics is building in Oslo, Norway, will be used to pilot the robotic cells with global industry leaders in the online grocery space. The first robot cells are being piloted for client facilities in Oslo (Norway), Stockholm (Sweden), Utrecht (Netherlands), Brussels (Belgium), and San Francisco (USA).
“ProVenture’s investment in The Human Touch Robotics brings unique technology and outstanding talent under our portfolio. ThT Robotics groundbreaking pick and pack solution shows promising potential to become a vital component in the rapidly evolving online grocery market, offering prospects of heightened automation and increased profitability,” says Tom Arnøy, Partner in ProVenture.
“Our second Fund focused on turning the best academic research into successful businesses, and that’s why we initially invested early on in ThT Robotics. We see the potential of automating labor in challenging work environments, especially within refrigeration units, which is standard for all food storage systems. As ThT Robotics embark on expansion plans, we anticipate numerous positives for this company in the years ahead,” states Pontus Stråhlman, Voima Ventures Partner.
“I am excited to assume the role of Chairperson of the board and collaborate with this exceptional team, with high competence and a great vision. The cutting- edge technology developed by the company holds immense potential to revolutionize food packaging. I extend my thanks to our esteemed investment partners, ProVenture and Voima Ventures. The capital infusion is crucial to take The Human Touch Robotics to the next level. Additionally, we are happy to leverage the expertise and expansive network of these investors, who bring a wealth of experience in nurturing growth of tech startups.” says Katharina R. Asting, Chairperson of ThT Robotics.
“Online grocers are the space where the process of packing orders is still done completely manually. This market has been closed to robotics due to the need to handle and pack very different food and grocery items, which presents a significant challenge for robots. The existing robotics technology is still not there yet to allow robots to pick and pack such a diverse range of items. At The Human Touch Robotics, we have invented a new technology stack, starting from an adaptive gripper, to AI perception, and path planning of robots, that will bring a paradigm shift in robotics and its applications to online e-groceries. We needed to invent things from the ground up. With the support of our valued investors, ProVenture and Voima Ventures, we are excited to accelerate the development and deployment of our robotic solutions, setting a new standard both in robotics and enabling online shopping to become a norm,” comments Andrija Milojevic, Founder and CEO, The Human Touch Robotics.
