BOW, the trailblazing common robotics software program firm, has secured £4 million in a seed funding spherical led by Northern Gritstone. The spherical included co-investors Finance Yorkshire and Praetura Ventures, as a part of the Northern Powerhouse Funding Fund II. This pivotal funding will speed up the event of BOW’s progressive platform and software program growth package (SDK), making it simpler than ever for builders to program and handle robotics functions throughout any platform or robotic mannequin.
This milestone comes simply two months after BOW appointed Liz Upton, Co-Founding father of Raspberry Pi (LSE:RPI), as Chair of the Board, additional underscoring the corporate’s dedication to scaling its groundbreaking options.
Addressing Complexity in a Rising Market
The worldwide robotics market is anticipated to achieve a staggering $260 billion by 2030. Regardless of this progress, the business faces important boundaries, notably the price and complexity of programming robots. Historically, growing robotics functions has required specialised roboticists, with functions usually being incompatible throughout completely different robotic fashions. This lack of standardization hampers innovation and slows adoption throughout industries.
BOW’s platform, named “Bettering Our Worlds”, addresses these challenges by providing a common software program answer. With the BOW SDK, builders can program robots utilizing their most popular working system and coding language, together with Python, C++, JavaScript, and extra. This compatibility reduces reliance on robotics specialists, enabling generalist builders to create, deploy, and handle robotics functions seamlessly. Functions can be effortlessly ported between completely different robotic makes and fashions, fostering a brand new period of innovation and accessibility.
Based in 2020, BOW is without doubt one of the world’s main common robotics software program firm, working with robotic {hardware} producers, OEMs, system integrators, and builders to simplify robotics programming and speed up innovation. BOW’s platform empowers builders to construct robotics functions utilizing any programming language and working system, creating versatile, scalable options for real-world and simulated environments.
Nick Thompson, CEO of BOW, emphasised the transformative potential of the platform: “Robotics has an virtually limitless potential to unravel world challenges, however the business’s progress is hampered by the excessive prices and complexities of programming robots. BOW’s common platform and SDK get rid of these boundaries, empowering any developer to create and deploy robotics functions with unprecedented ease. This funding will assist us increase our workforce, improve our platform, and unleash the complete potential of robotics.”
A Common Toolkit for Robotics
BOW simplifies robotics programming by managing the complexities of robotic actuators, motor management, and sensors by its SDK and platform. Builders can:
- Construct robotics functions utilizing their most popular programming languages and working methods.
- Check functions in real-time simulators earlier than deployment.
- Seamlessly swap between simulated and real-world environments.
- Allow multi-robot management and fleet administration.
BOW’s superior options, equivalent to inverse kinematics and ultra-low latency communication, additional streamline the event course of. The SDK additionally integrates seamlessly with well-liked middleware like ROS (Robotic Working System), making it appropriate with present robotics ecosystems whereas eliminating the necessity for complicated hardware-specific coding.
BOW permits builders to deal with all of the complexities of robotic actuators, motor management, sensors, and options whereas leveraging superior functionalities like real-time simulation, multi-robot management, and VR teleoperation. With BOW Perception, builders can visualize robotic sensor knowledge, challenge instructions, and management robots in real-time, making robotics programming intuitive and environment friendly.
Daniel Camilleri, CTO and Founding father of BOW, highlighted the importance of this achievement: “This funding validates our imaginative and prescient of simplifying robotics for builders in every single place. By bridging the hole between {hardware} and software program, BOW permits a future the place robotics is accessible to everybody, from seasoned professionals to these simply coming into the sector.”
Supporting Innovation within the North of England
Based in 2020 as a spinout from the College of Sheffield, BOW is headquartered in Sheffield, a metropolis with a powerful legacy of scientific analysis and technological innovation. Northern Gritstone, which led the funding spherical, is dedicated to fostering progress in science and expertise companies throughout the North of England.
Duncan Johnson, CEO of Northern Gritstone, remarked: “BOW exemplifies the progressive spirit of companies rising from the North of England. Their platform has the potential to rework the robotics business globally, and we’re proud to assist their journey.”
The funding additionally underscores the College of Sheffield’s pivotal position in advancing robotics innovation. Ranked among the many prime 100 universities globally the college continues to contribute groundbreaking analysis that underpins business success tales like BOW.
Professor Sue Hartley, Vice-President for Analysis and Innovation on the College of Sheffield, famous: “Sheffield’s analysis excellence drives innovation throughout industries. This funding highlights the significance of commercializing analysis to deal with real-world challenges and underscores our college’s influence on advancing robotics expertise.”
Enabling a New Period of Robotics
BOW’s platform empowers builders in any respect ranges to create purposeful robotics options without having to navigate the complexities of {hardware} integration. By enabling intuitive growth and providing options like real-time simulation, multi-robot management, and AI-powered capabilities, BOW is setting a brand new commonplace in robotics software program.
The corporate’s ecosystem consists of the BOW Hub for managing robotic licenses, BOW Perception for real-time visualization, and instruments for seamless deployment throughout platforms. With ultra-low latency communications optimized by WebRTC, BOW ensures environment friendly and responsive robotic management, even throughout continents.
The Way forward for Robotics is Right here
BOW’s mission to “derisk” robotics growth and decrease boundaries to entry marks a transformative step for the business. By simplifying robotics programming and enabling broader participation, BOW is paving the way in which for improvements that can form the long run. Whether or not it’s industrial automation, healthcare, or logistics, the chances are limitless.
This £4 million seed funding positions BOW as a frontrunner in common robotics software program, able to unlock the complete potential of the robotics revolution.
