EXCLUSIVE: Where is the venture money going in robotics?

When you look at the consumer robotics market today, you would more or less see a single set of applications: floor cleaning and vacuuming. However, robotics technology is expected to advance to the point where robotic functions that currently only occur in industrial settings, such as Amazon's warehouse worker robots, are going to start appearing in different forms for consumers. For example, Savioke has been busy creating a robot for hotels that would deliver room service meals to hotel guests instead of using a human.

Creating a robotic future requires funds. And with a nod to crowdfunding as a way to get initial funding, venture capitalists are among the only ways for the emerging market to be capitalized. But in what areas are the venture funds leaning? Are they focusing their money on drones? Home care? Personal concierge robots?

According to a database compiled by TechCrunch's Crunchbase, which tracks venture capital funding from 2010-15, VCs bet around $538 million on robotics companies in 2014, more than double 2013's figure. Drone manufacturers made up about $84 million of that funding, leaving $484 million for non-drone robotics. The single largest investment at $115 million has gone to Rethink Robotics, which makes robots for research and production environments. But where is the money going in consumer robotics?

• The single largest funding to consumer-focused robotics has gone to Anki, a company whose toy robots are controlled by smartphones. It also uses an augmented reality interface to engage the "drivers". The company drew around $105 million in funding from 2010-15.
• 3D robotics makes midrange and high-end UAVs and open-source UAV control technology ($85 million).
• 4moms makes infant care products like rockers and strollers, and while the devices are not “autonomous” as most would define it, they typically use one-touch buttons to enact complex actions, such as unfurling or stowing a stroller, or having a rocker automatically adjust its speed and frequency based on sensors within the product ($60 million).
• Finally, Jibo, which received about $2.25 million from crowdfunding last year, is an autonomous "social" robot activated by voice. The robot, while not mobile, is more of a personal assistant that can react to voices in a room and record videos ($31 million).

There are a number of other companies with varied applications that have received venture funds. The full database can be downloaded from Crunchbase here.

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