Incubate Fund is an independent early-stage venture capital that specializes in providing capital to technology startups at the seed stage. The firm built a portfolio of over 300 companies in Asia, taking 12 companies to public and 20 companies to M&A exit since 2010.

Incubate Fund

Vela Partners is the world's first product-led and AI-powered venture capital firm.

Vela Partners

Cartken

Cartken is a delivery robot developer that specializes in transporting items over small distances and within neighborhoods. The company's robots are outfitted with several sensors and cameras that allow them to stop on a dime to prevent collisions and choose the least hazardous routes. They also provide a quick deploy option that does not require integration, making it extremely simple to get started.

California-based Cartken, founded by ex-Google engineers, develops AI-powered autonomous delivery droids (called “Model C”) operated via machine learning, rule-based programming algorithms, and multiple cameras for safe navigation. The startup targets curbside pickup, local deliveries, and campus deliveries. The company emerged from stealth <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">in March 2021 </a>(founded in 2019).

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

The Week in AgriFoodTech: $3.6bn for Flagship Pioneering, $379m for Kembara, $10m for Cartken’s delivery bots

Uber

Cartken partnered with Uber and Mitsubishi Electric to launch a droid-based delivery service for Uber Eats customers in selected areas in Toyko, Japan.

Refers to autonomous vehicles that use pedestrian walkways and travel a little faster than average walking speed (generally 3-6 miles an hour). These vehicles can usually carry up to around 20 lb. and use a camera, radar, and sensors to move autonomously. 

DPD group

Cartken extended its partnership with DPD to roll out droid-based deliveries in 10 UK cities over the following 12 months. Initially, the droids will be deployed with Raunds in Northamptonshire to deliver parcels from a DPD's depot at Warth Park to residents in the area.

Rewe Group

Cartken, a delivery droid manufacturer, launched a droid-based delivery test in Hamburg-Eimsbuttel, Germany, in collaboration with local supermarket chain REWE, Lithuanian product delivery startup LastMile, and the City of Hamburg. The tests will be conducted over a period of three months, using up to three droids. Customers can place orders for REWE’s goods via LastMile’s app, upon which the company promises items will be delivered to home by droids within two hours.

Cartken expanded its partnership with Uber Eats to launch an automated robot food delivery service in Fairfax, Virginia. Uber and Cartken will initiate operations with specific vendors located at Mosaic District, an EDENS-owned shopping and dining area. The program will involve participation from vendors such as Our Mom Eugenia, Pupatella, and RASA at the launch.

Cartken partnered with Uber Eats to launch an automated robot food delivery service in Miami, Florida. Cartken’s delivery robots, which are equipped with multiple sensors and cameras, will operate both indoors and outdoors to deliver food over short distances in the Dadeland area of Miami-Dade County. The robots will also allow for remote supervision and enable users to unlock the container using their phones to collect their orders. Uber also stated that it plans to expand the service throughout the county and to additional cities in 2023.

Magna International

Cartken partnered with Magna International to manufacture its “Model C” autonomous delivery droids. The production is currently underway at Magna’s facility in Michigan, with plans to expand through 2022. As per the deal, Magna International is to manufacture “thousands of droids,” as the company ramps up production capacity in the coming months. The companies are also evaluating additional droid models, based on the same platform as Model C.

Cartken partnered with DPD to commence droid-based deliveries for the latter’s customers in Milton Keynes, UK. The DPD-branded droids from Cartken will be deployed from DPD’s Knowlhill deport to deliver parcels to residents in Shenley Church End and Shenley Lodge areas in Milton Keynes.

Grubhub

To deploy delivery droids at Grubhub-serviced college campuses across the US, leveraging Cartken's autonomous delivery technology to optimize operations and improve efficiency in the food delivery industry.

The Ohio State University

To enable autonomous food delivery services at Ohio State University, Cartken is deploying a fleet of delivery droids on campus, marking the company's first university deployment.

California-based Cartken, founded by ex-Google engineers, develops AI-powered autonomous delivery droids (called “Model C”) operated via machine learning, rule-based programming algorithms, and multiple cameras for safe navigation. The startup targets curbside pickup, local deliveries, and campus deliveries. The company emerged from stealth <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">in March 2021 </a>(founded in 2019).Key customers and partnershipsCarkten has a product partnership with global contract manufacturer Magna International to manufacture its droids <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12853">(September 2022).</a>The company’s deployment partners in the US include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">REEF Technology </a>(for a trial in Miami, Florida), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8498">AC Hotel Miami Dadeland, </a>Uber Eats (for deliveries in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15373">Miami </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17895">Fairfax, Virginia), </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11051">Grubhub </a>(for university deployments). Its deployment partners in other geographies include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7943">Mitsubishi Electric </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26771">Uber Eats </a>(for deliveries in Japan), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19843">DPD </a>(for deliveries in the UK), and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18951">REWE </a>(for deliveries in Germany).

Zing Drone Solutions offers an end-to-end drone delivery platform, which includes autonomous flight software and plug-and-play hardware. Drone pilots can team up with Zing to make deliveries with their own drones, while Zing undertakes the licensing and insuring of pilots. The company also sells two models of FAA-approved broadcast modules to pilots.As of March 2024, the company had operations in a test site in Sarasota, Florida, to demonstrate drone-based deliveries. It was mainly generating revenue through the sale of broadcast modules to pilots.Key customers and partnershipsZing Drone Solutions has product partnerships with companies including 1) software company Airspace Link to integrate airspace awareness technology (December 2021); 2) air traffic navigation service provider Skyway Technologies to install route planning and air navigation solutions for operations in Florida and beyond (January 2022; conducted first flights in Montverde, Florida <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10175">in May 2022);</a> and 3) Arrive (formerly DroneDek; June 2020) and Valqari (August 2021) to obtain hardware and infrastructure.Funding and financialsZing Drone Solutions generated revenue of USD 40,847 and incurred a loss of USD 160,287 in 2023.

Zing Drone Solutions

DroneUp is a drone startup offering&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18602">drone-based last-mile delivery services</a> primarily pitched toward retail, food, and medical deliveries. The company's&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/34605">technology package</a> includes a proprietary software solution, an innovative winch system, and custom battery packs. The company has operations in the US (including Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Utah, and North Carolina) and potentially&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11637">Europe.</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/36763">In December 2024,</a> it obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)’s Part 135 Certification to conduct commercial beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) drone deliveries.DroneUp’s complementary acquisitions in the space include AeroVista Innovations to provide full-service drone training to organizations (April 2020); Web Teks, a UAS software developer that had been a contractor for DroneUp&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/103">(March 2021)</a>; and AirMap, an airspace management software provider for drones&nbsp;<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7177">(December 2021).</a>&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsDroneUp has conducted drone-based deliveries in partnership with organizations including <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10658">Walmart,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/161">NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and SUNY Upstate Medical University,</a> the City of Ontario and the real estate company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4266">Brookfield Properties,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17938">Riverside Health System,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19264">Carilion Clinic,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23954">Chick-fil-A</a>.DroneUp also has product partnerships with companies including1) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/865380">A2Z Drone Delivery</a> to integrate the latter’s tethered freefall drone delivery technology into DroneUp’s drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/105">(March 2021)</a>2) South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) to test drones using hydrogen fuel cell technology <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17671">(April 2023)</a>3) Irsi Automation to integrate airspace awareness tech into its drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18258">(May 2023)</a>4) Wonder Robotics to integrate precision technology for drone-based deliveries <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18344">(May 2023)</a>5) Blueflite, a drone technology company, to leverage Blueflite’s drones for DroneUp's autonomous ecosystem <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28155">(April 2024)</a>6) Elsight to obtain drone connectivity solutions <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/33137">(September 2024)</a>

DroneUp

Agility Robotics develops a human-sized, bi-pedal robot called “Digit” designed for logistics applications primarily for warehouse automation, with plans to introduce the unit for last-mile delivery applications. It is the only company in the market with a product designed to look and move like a human, using two upper limbs to carry an item while moving around on two legs. The robot uses a head-mounted LiDAR system for its primary navigation and is able to navigate semi-autonomously, carrying weight up to 35 lbs. The robots can charge autonomously by connecting themselves to docking stations when needed and can be deployed without additional retrofitting.The company unveiled the second generation of Digit <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17182">in March 2023,</a> with plans to begin shipping to early customers in 2024 and a wider rollout in 2025 (price not disclosed). The company has a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21927">manufacturing facility in Oregon</a> with the capacity to produce more than 10,000 robots per year.&nbsp;The company also offers <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27444">“Agility Arc,"</a> which is a cloud automation platform for deploying and managing Digit fleets. This is offered on a SaaS basis.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9899">In April 2022,</a> Agility Robotics raised USD 150 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC and Playground Global to fast-track R&amp;D, ramp up production and delivery of its next-generation robot, and expand the team. In April 2022, Agility Robotics also received an undisclosed amount of funds from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.&nbsp;Key competitors: None comparable (Agility Robotics is the only startup developing a humanoid robot for parcel delivery)

Agility Robotics

Manna Drone Delivery (Manna) provides drone delivery-as-a-service to restaurant chains, cloud kitchens, and online food delivery platforms. Using custom-developed aerospace-grade drones, it delivers directly from restaurants and centralized kitchens to consumer's homes. Its drones can fly at a speed of 60 mph, delivering within a range of 10 miles. The drones are also equipped with safety systems including a parachute that will automatically deploy and bring the aircraft to the ground in case of an emergency.In May 2021, Manna received the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/62">“Light UAS Operator Certificate” (LUC),</a> available under EU drone regulations and recognized across the EU. With the certification, Manna can self-authorize operations without the need for further approvals. The company also applied for a drone-based delivery services license in the UK <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22174">in September 2023.</a>The services are offered via Manna’s mobile application, where restaurants can partner and list themselves for drone-based deliveries to their customers. As of March 2024, the company had completed 150,000+ deliveries to customers in Ireland (including Moneygall, Co Offaly, Oranmore, Co Galway, and in Blanchardstown and Balbriggan, Co Dublin) and the US <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">(Dallas, Texas).</a>Key customers and partnershipsIts notable partners include restaurant operators and retailers such as Flipdish, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/91">Just Eat,</a> Tesco, Camile Thai’s, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/106">Samsung Electronics,</a> Coca-Cola, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">Farmhouse Coffee &amp; Treasures, The Touring Chocolatie,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27176">Boojum.</a>Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">In March 2023,</a> Manna received an undisclosed amount of funding from Coca-Cola HBC and entered into a strategic partnership with the same to expand its reach to the US market.&nbsp;

Manna Drone Delivery

TwinswHeel is an autonomous delivery droids manufacturer based in France. The company offers six droids under two ranges; 1) “ciTHy” series pitched toward logistics applications for private sites and cities and 2) “facTHory” series pitched toward factories and warehouses. The robots can be configured to either pair up and collaborate with a person and follow them while carrying the loads or to move autonomously in a mapped area. The robots are equipped with LiDAR, six 2D cameras, 3D camera, and sensors for navigation. The ciTHy series comprises the following three sizes that can be used for last-mile delivery applications:1. ciTHy S: Can carry loads of up to 110 lbs, pitched toward personal mobility.2. ciTHy M: Can carry loads of up to 330 lbs; pitched toward technicians and craftsmen to help carry loads.3. ciTHy L: Can carry loads of up to 660 lbs; pitched toward stores in city centers.Key customers and partnershipIn May 2019, the company conducted a trial run in partnership with the French supermarket chain Casino’s Franprix, where shoppers can pair up with the robot, making it follow them while shopping, and even carry items to the customer’s home.The company also manufactures droids on behalf of the autonomous droid operator LMAD (2021).

TwinswHeel

Refers to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that deliver packages. Drones are already in commercial use in many other industries (such as photography, construction, and agriculture). The use of drones for goods delivery has emerged with the gradual advancement of battery and connectivity technologies.

This is a sub-branch of self-driving cars and represents autonomous vehicles that can move along public roads. The technology used is similar to self-driving cars. ADVs have a higher load capacity and travel at a faster speed than vehicles like droids.

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation.  (e.g., Goggo Network, Drone Express, Wayve)"

Autonomous delivery solutions fall under Industry 4.0

The solutions are electric and eco-friendly

All three types of delivery automation facilitate efficient and environmentally friendly solutions

<div>
 Autonomous delivery droid maker, Cartken, has secured USD 22.5 million in a funding round led by 468 Capital. This funding will go towards enhancing Cartken's enterprise partnerships, advancing their self-driving technology and investigating other potential applications for their technology. The company also plans to expand into new market sectors.
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Cartken

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