Nabtesco Technology Ventures Invests Into Autonomous Vehicles Startup Embotech

ZURICH, Switzerland, December 12, 2024 — Nabtesco Technology Ventures (NTV) has invested into Embotech, an innovator in autonomous driving solutions for industrial logistics. The CHF 23.5 (USD 27 million) round was led by Emerald Technology Ventures and Yttrium, with additional funds from BMW iVentures, Nabtesco Technology Ventures, Sustainable Forward Capital Fund, and RKK VC. The funding will help Embotech scale its Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) and Automated Terminal Tractors (ATT) in Europe, and ultimately in the United States, Middle East, and Asia.

Embotech, short for embedded optimization technologies, has already secured landmark multi-year rollout contracts for its AVM solution in finished vehicle logistics and its ATT solution for port and yard logistics applications.

For its AVM business, Embotech has signed a 10-year contract with automaker BMW to install its solution in passenger car factories worldwide. With the rollout ongoing since late 2023, Embotech’s technology is already driving hundreds of cars per day through final production and is set to scale up to several thousand vehicles per day in early 2025. The solution is already operational in BMW’s Dingolfing and Leipzig plants and has also started the roll-out in Regensburg. Embotech is the only vendor in the market with a certified AVM solution and the only player with experience in a production environment.

New BMW vehicles are guided along a one-kilometer route between two assembly facilities, through a squeak and rattle track, and to the finishing area – with no driver needed at any stage of the journey. The Embotech AVM system requires no changes to the vehicles and uses off-the-shelf LiDAR sensors installed on existing infrastructure. The technology can be adapted for all vehicle models and to changing factory layouts to accommodate growing production volumes and new production layouts. BMW expects to log millions of kilometers per year over the next decade with this system.

For its ATT business, Embotech is gearing up for a major rollout in Europe’s largest port, with 30 units set to be deployed over the next 2 years. The electric ATTs are equipped with Embotech’s Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Kit, which enables them to operate autonomously in complex, mixed-traffic situations. Embotech’s autonomous tractors use a combination of LIDAR, cameras, and GPS to detect obstacles in all weather conditions and achieve localization accuracy of less than 5 cm. Following rigorous testing, which validated the reliability and safety of the technology in the 24/7 port environment, the ATTs are now poised for deployment, enabling seamless horizontal transport of containers across transfer points within the port environment.

Embotech leverages shared technology and safety processes across its two business units, resulting in significant efficiencies. This streamlined approach allows for faster innovation and a leaner operation compared to competitors. In both logistics applications, Embotech’s autonomous driving solutions deliver substantial benefits. They increase operational efficiency through 24-hour operation, flexible peak handling, and improved transparency with digital integration. By automating critical processes, this technology advances logistics safety by removing human involvement in hazardous tasks, thereby also reducing the risk of errors and vehicle damage.

Additionally, these highly automated solutions address the global driver shortage, reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and CO2 emissions, and provide a glimpse into the future of modern logistics.

As one of the world’s leading developers of advanced motion control technologies, Nabtesco – a large Japanese conglomerate – sees Embotech as a potential collaborator, given its highly relevant core technologies. Such opportunities could range from autonomous commercial vehicle development to general industrial automation products and services.

“With their advanced motion control algorithms and optimization software, Embotech is uniquely positioned to lead the market,” says Hiroshi Nerima, Managing Partner at NTV. “And with Nabtesco’s technical capabilities and market access in this space, we are looking forward to some potentially exciting collaborations.”

“Embotech’s offering is an ideal way for companies to accelerate their path to reliable autonomy,” says Mehran Zaker, Partner at Emerald and new Board member at Embotech. “We are excited to support Embotech, a Swiss technology company leading the development of level 4 AV for logistics applications worldwide.” Emerald advised NTV on the deal under its unique corporate venture capital-as-a-service mandate. Under this framework, Emerald manages the investment activities of Nabtesco’s venture arm, aiming to provide the best value for collaboration with startups.

“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our Series B funding round, a testament to the growing confidence in Embotech’s mission to revolutionize logistics automation” said Andreas Kyrtatos, Embotech’s CEO. “This investment brings an incredible group of new investors on board. It enables us to expand our global presence and deliver leading-edge technology, empowering industrial logistics to transition towards a safer, more efficient, and sustainable future.”

 

About Embotech

Embotech is an award-winning software company providing cutting-edge autonomous driving solutions for logistics, with a focus on Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) in passenger car factories and Autonomous Terminal Tractors (ATT) at port terminals and logistic centers. We deliver safe and reliable autonomous transportation by leveraging the real-time optimization technology that we have been developing since 2013. For more information, visit www.embotech.com.

About Nabtesco Technology Ventures

Nabtesco Technology Ventures is a corporate venture fund launched in 2018 by Japan’s Nabtesco Corporation, in partnership with Emerald Technology Ventures, a global leader in technology venture capital. The fund deepens Nabtesco’s involvement in the development of disruptive ventures around the world, strengthening our pursuit of open innovation, a key pillar of our company’s growth strategy. The €75 million fund invests primarily, but not exclusively, in robotics, motors, sensors, additive manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and Internet of Things technologies. Nabtesco Technology Ventures reinforces Nabtesco Corporation’s position as a global leader in manufacturing technology, accelerating investment and collaboration around the world. For more information, please visit nabtesco-ventures.com.

 

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