Ambi Robotics Raises $32M for Sortation Systems

Berkeley, Calif.-based Ambi Robotics Inc. today announced it has raised $32 million in additional funding.

The news comes months after the warehouse robotics company signed a $23 million deal with Pitney Bowes, a global shipping and mailing company. As part of the deal, AmbiSort systems are being deployed throughout Pitney Bowes facilities across the U.S.

The company said it will use the recent funding to help it deploy more systems ahead of the holiday season and throughout 2023. This summer, the company moved to a 33,000 sq. ft. facility to accommodate its growing team.

“Consumer shopping behavior is demanding a more modern warehouse. The strains of surging parcel volume shouldn’t rest on the shoulders of the supply chains’ most valued asset – people,” said Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics, in a statement. “It’s humbling to see such sophisticated investors stepping forward and contributing to the success of our mission to empower people to handle more.''

The four-year-old company sells two robotic systems – a robotic put wall system called AmbiSort and a robotic modular kitting line system called AmbiKit.

The company is deploying the third version of its AmbiSort system, which it noted is National Safety Institute safety compliant. The system runs on the company’s priority operating system AmbiOS. The OS takes advantage of simulation-to-reality (Sim2Real) AI technology to teach the robots to pick and place.

“AmbiSort systems are full-stack sorting solutions, combining robotic picking, item analysis, and quality control with a proprietary ‘soft-touch’ end effector that handles boxes, flats, polybags, and other deformable or rigid items,” the company said in a statement. “Each warehouse associate can work alongside three to four AmbiSort A-Series systems, increasing the average throughput-per-employee to over 1,200 items safely sorted per hour with more than 99% accuracy.”

Investor insights

Ambi Robotics’ existing investors Tiger Global and Bow Capital led the fundraising, along with participation from Ahern and Pitney Bowes.

“Ambi Robotics is an important part of an innovation strategy that is helping Pitney Bowes improve service to our clients and efficiently grow our Global Ecommerce business,” said Gregg Zegras, EVP and president of global e-commerce at Pitney Bowes, in a statement. “In Ambi Robotics, we see the same commitment to client-led innovation that has helped Pitney Bowes evolve and win in the marketplace for over 100 years. We look forward to continuing to work together to drive innovation in our Global Ecommerce hubs.”

“We have unwavering dedication to supporting DeepTech companies at the intersection of groundbreaking science and the highest-end technology – a sweet spot that drives positive impact in the world,'' stated Alice Newcombe-Ellis, founding and general partner at Ahren.

“Since the team’s breakthrough discoveries in Sim2Real AI, Ambi Robotics has remained focused on applying its technology to solving real-world problems, enabling critical services companies to execute on an overflowing supply chain and deliver to individuals globally,” she said.