Seegrid buys robotics startup

PITTSBURGH, Pennsylvania – Seegrid Corporation has acquired Box Robotics, a mobile robotics startup bringing high-definition maps, three-dimensional LiDAR, and deep learning to the warehouse and manufacturing automation space.

This acquisition will help accelerate the development of perception and more human-like situational awareness technology. Financial terms are not being disclosed. 

Philadelphia-based Box Robotics, led by the former Love Park Robotics principals Tom Panzarella and John Spletzer, focuses on 3D perception autonomy with human-like situational awareness for industrial robots.

“Seegrid and Box Robotics are perfectly aligned in our mission to bring full 3D situational awareness and predictability to our next-generation robots,” said Jim Rock, Seegrid’s CEO.

“Tom and John are visionary leaders and experienced computer vision and robotics developers who uniquely and deeply understand the issues facing material handling automation. This strategic acquisition…accelerates the advancement of technologies needed to support today’s incredible demand for automation.” 

Panzarella and Spletzer will stay with Seegrid and lead the perception engineering team. This effort will ultimately increase efficiency and productivity while furthering Seegrid’s safety record.

“We are beyond excited to be a part of the Seegrid family and bring our technology to some of the world’s largest manufacturing and distribution brands already leveraging enormous returns with Seegrid’s vehicles,” said Panzarella.

“This technology will enable Seegrid’s autonomous vehicles to gain an even more comprehensive understanding of the world, enabling them to be more productive.”  

Seegrid’s acquisition of Box Robotics comes on the heels of the company closing a $52 million growth equity financing round last month, bringing the company’s total funding to more than $150 million. Seegrid intends to use the additional capital to accelerate new product development and increase the size of its workforc.

Seegrid’s proprietary navigation technology uses cameras, sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to navigate in dynamic environments. The company’s products help manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics facilities achieve Industry 4.0 and material handling automation initiatives.