Ava Robotics raises $2.9M as demand grows for telepresence robots

Ava Robotics Inc. has raised $2.9 million, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Cambridge, Mass.-based company is a spinoff of iRobot Corp. and has developed telepresence robots. As reported in SEC Form D, Ava Robotics has sold $2.9 million out of a total $4 million securities and equity sale. Thus, $1.1 million remains to be raised. Ava Robotics emerged from “stealth mode” last spring.
Unlike other telepresence providers, which rely on remote operation, Ava Robotics has been working to add autonomous navigation to its robots. This would enable users to simply direct the Ava robot where to go, and it could find its own way to a destination. The Ava robot builds on the iRobot experiences of some of its engineers by mapping its surroundings for easier autonomous movement. iRobot’s Roomba i7+ robotic vacuum includes the Imprint smart maps function for directed or scheduled cleaning that works with Amazon Alexa or Google Home.

Spotlight

Other News
Engineering Tech, Construction

Comfort Systems USA Announces Acquisition

Business Wire | February 01, 2024

Comfort Systems USA, Inc. today announced that it has closed its previously announced transaction to acquire Summit Industrial Construction, LLC (“Summit”) headquartered in Houston, Texas. As previously disclosed, Summit is a specialty industrial mechanical contractor offering engineering, design-assist and turnkey, direct hire construction services of modular systems serving the advanced technology, power, and industrial sectors. Summit’s capabilities encompass a wide range of modular and site-based construction, including process piping, equipment setting, large pipe rack trestles, and related steel erection and specialty concrete work. Summit is a trusted supplier to some of the world’s largest advanced technology, power and industrial companies and is currently deployed on several major chip fabrication projects. Initially, Summit is expected to contribute annualized revenues of approximately $375 million to $400 million, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization of $35 million to $40 million. In light of the amortization expense, Summit is expected to make a neutral to slightly accretive contribution to earnings per share in 2024 and 2025. Brian Lane, Comfort Systems USA’s Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are delighted to announce the closing of our agreement to acquire Summit, an extremely capable provider of modular and other complex mechanical services. Summit brings a stellar reputation as a modular technology leader in growing end markets, including multiple ongoing and large semiconductor projects. We are happy to welcome Summit’s wonderful leadership team and excellent production and craft workers across many states, and we are confident Summit will continue to innovate and grow as a part of our network of world-class contracting companies. We are grateful that Summit has chosen to become part of Comfort Systems USA.”

Read More

Spotlight

Resources