In a recent funding round, Diligent Robotics raised $133 million in Series B funding, led by investment firm 8VC. The funding round was also joined by new investors including Data Collective (DCVC), Next 47, Blackhorn Ventures, and True Ventures.
Diligent Robotics is a Texas-based company that builds robots to help with tasks in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The company’s robots, named Moxi, are designed to assist nurses with routine tasks such as retrieving supplies and delivering medication. By taking care of these tasks, Moxi frees up nurses to focus on providing more direct patient care.
The $133 million funding round is a significant milestone for Diligent Robotics, and it highlights the growing interest in healthcare robotics. The funding will be used to help the company expand its team and scale up its manufacturing capabilities. The company also plans to continue developing new features for Moxi and to explore new markets beyond healthcare.
Diligent Robotics was founded in 2017 by Andrea Thomaz and Vivian Chu. Both founders have extensive experience in robotics and AI. Thomaz previously founded Socially Intelligent Machines (SIM) and served as an associate professor at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Chu has worked in robotics and automation for over a decade, including serving as the chief marketing officer at Luminar Technologies.
The company’s first product, Moxi, was launched in 2019. Moxi is a mobile robot that is designed to work alongside nurses in hospitals. The robot can move around on its own and has a robotic arm that it uses to perform tasks such as opening doors, delivering supplies, and collecting dirty linens.
Moxi has been well-received by healthcare professionals, and the robot has been tested in a number of hospitals around the US. The robot is designed to help nurses with routine tasks so that they can spend more time on direct patient care. Moxi can also learn over time, becoming more efficient and effective as it gains experience.
With the new funding, Diligent Robotics plans to continue developing Moxi and expanding its reach. The company is also exploring new applications for its technology beyond healthcare. For example, the company is looking at ways to use robotics to help with tasks in retail, hospitality, and other industries.
The funding round also reflects the growing interest in robotics and AI in healthcare. As the population ages and the demand for healthcare services increases, there is a growing need for technologies that can help improve patient care while reducing the burden on healthcare workers. Robotics and AI are seen as key technologies that can help address these challenges.
In addition to Diligent Robotics, there are a number of other companies that are working on healthcare robotics. For example, Boston Dynamics recently announced that it was developing a robot that can help with tasks such as disinfecting hospital rooms. Meanwhile, SoftBank Robotics has developed a robot that can provide emotional support to patients Urdughr.
Despite the potential benefits of healthcare robotics, there are also concerns about their impact on jobs in the healthcare sector. Some worry that robots could displace human workers, leading to job losses and a reduction in the quality of care. However, supporters of healthcare robotics argue that robots can help free up human workers to focus on tasks that require a human touch, such as providing emotional support to patients.
In conclusion, Diligent Robotics’ $133 million funding round is a significant milestone for the company and highlights the growing interest in healthcare robotics. With the new funding, Diligent Robotics plans to continue developing Moxi and exploring new markets beyond healthcare.
