Gobano Robotics Secures €3M, Hesai's $40M Lidar Deal, and RoVTOL's Global Launch - Robotics Brief #35

September 18, 2025 - Robotics Brief
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In this edition of the Robotics Brief, we're diving into some exciting developments in the world of AI and robotics. Gobano Robotics has successfully secured €3 million in pre-seed funding to push forward its AI-driven robotics research and development. Meanwhile, Hesai Technology has landed a substantial $40 million contract to supply lidar systems to a major U.S. robotaxi company, with deliveries planned through 2026.

Additionally, Sensrad has received an order for its Hugin D1 radar, which will be used in a collision prevention system for recreational boats, enhancing safety on the water. In the realm of aviation, Robo.ai and Ewatt Aerospace have launched 'RoVTOL', a joint venture aimed at deploying eVTOL aircraft globally. These stories highlight the rapid advancements and collaborations shaping the future of AI and robotics across various industries.
Gobano Robotics Secures €3M for AI Robotics R&D
French company Gobano Robotics has raised €3 million in pre-seed funding to advance its AI-driven robotics research and development, with backing from investors like Axeleo Capital and Bpifrance Digital Venture. Read more
Hesai Technology Lands $40 Million Lidar Deal with U.S. Robotaxi Firm
Hesai Technology has secured a $40 million contract with a major U.S. robotaxi company for lidar systems delivery by 2026, marking a significant development in autonomous mobility. Read more
Arbe Robotics and Sensrad Secure Order for Boat Collision System
Sensrad, a radar Tier-1 supplier based in Sweden, has received an order from WATCHIT for its Hugin D1 radar. This radar will be used in a collision prevention system for recreational boats, enhancing safety on the water. Read more
Robo.ai and Ewatt Aerospace Launch RoVTOL for eVTOL Aircraft
On September 10, 2025, Robo.ai and Ewatt Aerospace announced the creation of 'RoVTOL', a joint venture in Dubai aimed at deploying electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft globally. Read more
ThunderSoft, Geely, and NVIDIA Unveil AIBOX for AI in Vehicles
At IAA Mobility 2025, ThunderSoft, Geely, and NVIDIA introduced AIBOX, a solution for integrating AI models into vehicles, enhancing in-car experiences. Read more
Levita Magnetics' AI-Guided Surgery Milestone
Levita Magnetics has completed the world's first gallbladder surgery using its MARS platform, featuring an AI-guided autonomous surgical camera, at Clínica Las Condes in Santiago, Chile. This marks a significant advancement in surgical technology. Read more
Hive Robotics Secures €2M for Autonomous Robot Swarms
Hive Robotics, a Munich-based startup, has raised €2 million in pre-seed funding to advance its AI-driven control layer for coordinating autonomous robot swarms across air, land, and sea domains. Read more
AI2 Robotics Plans IPO After $70M Deal
China's AI2 Robotics plans to go public within two years following a $70 million contract with HKC Corporation for humanoid robots. Read more
Applied Intuition and Komatsu Partner on Autonomous Mining Vehicles
Applied Intuition and Komatsu have announced a strategic partnership to develop intelligent vehicles for the mining industry, focusing on safety, efficiency, and sustainability. Read more
RoboSense Begins Mass Production of AI-Driven LiDAR Platform
On September 12, 2025, RoboSense announced the mass production of its EM digital LiDAR platform, aimed at enhancing safety and reliability in premium intelligent vehicles. The platform includes the EMX and EM4 models, designed for different levels of autonomous driving. Read more
Beijing Autonomous Zone Reaches 38 Million Km Milestone
The Beijing High-Level Autonomous Driving Demonstration Zone has reported over 38 million kilometers of autonomous driving, showcasing significant progress in China's autonomous vehicle technology. Read more
Physical Intelligence Seeks $5 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round
Robotics startup Physical Intelligence is in discussions with investors to raise additional capital, aiming for a valuation of around $5 billion. The company, which specializes in AI models for robots, has previously secured $470 million in funding. Read more
RoboSense LiDARs Now Compatible with NVIDIA DRIVE AGX
RoboSense has announced that its digital LiDARs are now compatible with the NVIDIA DRIVE AGX platform. This integration is intended to advance autonomous driving technologies and speed up the commercialization of Robotaxi and intelligent vehicles. Read more
Auterion and Point One Navigation Collaborate for Precise Positioning
Point One Navigation and Auterion have announced a partnership to integrate centimeter-level positioning accuracy into Auterion OS-powered robotic fleets, enhancing precision and reliability in autonomous systems. Read more
Databeyond Technology Launches AI Textile Sorting Line
Databeyond Technology has introduced China's first AI-driven automated textile waste sorting line, utilizing advanced imaging for efficient recycling. Read more
Axera Unveils M57-Based ADAS at IAA Mobility 2025
At IAA Mobility 2025, Axera introduced its M57-based ADAS solution, developed with STRADVISION, featuring an 8-megapixel camera and L2 ADAS functions. Read more
Ondas Holdings to Invest IPO Funds in Defence Tech
Ondas Holdings, a Boston-based autonomous drone provider, plans to invest $217 million from its IPO into defence technologies. The company has launched Ondas Capital to focus on unmanned and autonomous systems in defence markets. Read more
Electreon and ATLoS Partner for Wireless Charging in Autonomous Vehicles
Electreon has partnered with Portugal-based ATLoS to integrate wireless charging technology into autonomous vehicles, aiming to improve efficiency in industrial settings. Read more

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