Kemaro AG, developer of the K900 autonomous cleaning robot for industrial use, has secured additional capital in a Series A funding round to continue its worldwide expansion. Led by Spicehaus Partners, the round also saw the participation of Obayashi Corporation, one of Japan’s largest construction companies, that will support Kemaro’s entry into Asia.
Based in Eschlikon TG, Kemaro and its team of 20 focus on developing K900, a dry-cleaning robot that cleans autonomously and smartly, perceiving its surroundings using distance measurement algorithms that rely on optical sensors and supporting 3-D sensors. The backbone of the device is an in-house built technology that enables fully autonomous operation around the clock. It cleans floors without chemicals or water and autonomously disposes of packaging residues, industrial dust and pallet splinters. Precise live mapping of the room and sophisticated navigation algorithms also enable unprecedented cleaning performance and quality.
Already in use in 20 countries, the startup plans to expand its footprint into the Asian and American markets using the obtained funds. “This Series A financing round enables us to continue our global expansion plans,” says Armin Koller, co-founder and chairman of the board at Kemaro.
Five investors, including three existing shareholders, participated in the round led by Spicehaus Partners. “The past two years have clearly shown that Kemaro is successfully catering to an increasing demand for autonomous and digital solutions in industrial areas,” said Daniel Andres, a Founding Partner at Spicehaus Partners AG. The new investors include W+P Beteiligungen AG from Wil SG and Obayashi Corporation from Japan.
Setting a base in Asia
Obayashi is one of the five largest Japanese construction companies. Listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, it counts among the Nikkei 225 companies, boasting around CHF 20 billion in sales. Alongside its investment, Obayashi also entered a strategic partnership with the startup to distribute Kemaro’s robots in the Asian markets through Plibot, the company’s recently established subsidiary, dedicated to providing autonomous and labour-saving solutions through the use of autonomous mobile robots. Marking its first entry into the Asian market, Kemaro has delivered the first units of its K900.
Tamaki Horii, Head of the Corporate Strategy and Business Development Division at Obayashi Corporation, sees great worldwide market potential for the robot. “We look forward to supporting and accompanying Kemaro in this phase.”
(RAN)
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