To scale its Automated Vehicle Marshalling (AVM) and Autonomous Terminal Tractor (ATT) solutions across Europe, and eventually in the US, the Middle East, and Asia, Embotech has secured 23.5 million CHF (about $27 million USD) in Series B funding.
With new funding from BMW i Ventures, Nabtesco Technology Ventures, Sustainable Forward Capital Fund, RKK VC, and current investors, Emerald Technology Ventures and Yttrium are leading the funding round.
Embotech, which stands for embedded optimization technologies, has already landed historic multi-year rollout contracts for its ATT solution for port and yard logistics applications and its AVM solution for finished vehicle logistics.
In order to implement its AVM solution in six passenger car factories across the globe by the end of 2025, Embotech has inked a multi-year contract with the automaker BMW.
Embotech’s technology is currently powering hundreds of automobiles every day through final production, and the rollout has been happening on since late 2023. By early 2025, it is expected to ramp up to several thousand vehicles each day.
BMW’s Dingolfing and Leipzig plants have already implemented the technology, and Regensburg is presently under construction. The technology will also be in use at BMW’s Spartanburg, South Carolina, facility by the end of 2025.
The only company in the market with a certified AVM solution and production-environment experience is Embotech.
No driver is required at any point throughout the one-kilometer travel between two assembly sites, through a squeak-and-rumble track, and to the finishing area for new BMW vehicles.
The Embotech AVM system uses commercially available LiDAR sensors that are mounted on pre-existing infrastructure and doesn’t require any modifications to the cars.
To handle expanding production volumes and new production layouts, the technology may be modified for all car models and shifting plant configurations. BMW anticipates using this system to log millions of kilometers over the course of the next ten years.
With 30 units scheduled for deployment over the next two years, Embotech is preparing for a significant rollout of its ATT business in the port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, which is the largest port in Europe.
With the help of Embotech’s Level 4 Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Kit, the electric ATTs can function independently in challenging, mixed traffic scenarios. The autonomous tractors from Embotech detect obstacles in every weather condition and have a localization accuracy of less than 5 cm thanks to a combination of LIDAR, cameras, and GPS.
The ATTs are now ready for deployment, allowing for the smooth horizontal transit of containers across transfer points within the port environment after extensive testing that confirmed the technology’s dependability and safety in the round-the-clock port environment.
Embotech achieves notable efficiencies by utilizing common technology and safety procedures between its two business divisions. Compared to rivals, this leaner operation and quicker innovation are made possible by this simplified method.
Embotech’s autonomous driving technologies offer significant advantages in both logistical sectors. With 24-hour operation, flexible peak handling, and enhanced transparency through digital integration, they significantly boost operational efficiency. Embotech also improves logistics safety by automating crucial procedures.
These highly automated systems also lower CO2 emissions and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), solve the worldwide driver shortage, and offer a preview of the logistics of the future.
Key Comments
“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.”
“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.”
“Embotech impressed us with their unique, highly adaptable autonomous logistics solution,” says Dr. Axel Krieger, Partner at Yttrium. “The company tackles the global logistics challenge for both commercial and passenger vehicles. With a strong orderbook as well as proven industry partnerships, Embotech is uniquely positioned to lead the market. An investment that aligns perfectly with Yttrium’s goal to empower tomorrow’s B2B technology champions.”
“We are particularly proud of our investment in Embotech, as the company has been pioneering automated vehicle marshalling as part of its successful partnership with the BMW Group since 2022,” adds Marcus Behrendt, Managing Partner at BMW i Ventures. “The technology has the potential to fundamentally change the vehicle production process. We are therefore excited to support the company both financially and operationally as it reshapes the market for autonomous driving solutions in logistics, while significantly increasing efficiency in vehicle production.”
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