Energy Robotics raises $13.5M to bring autonomous inspection to critical infrastructure

Energy Robotics, a German AI software platform specializing in autonomous inspection for critical infrastructure, has secured $13.5 million in Series A funding, signaling growing interest in robotic solutions for industrial applications. This investment highlights the potential of AI-driven technologies to enhance efficiency and safety within sectors such as energy, chemicals, and utilities. The funding will be used to expand the commercial deployment of its platform. The company's hardware-agnostic AI autonomy platform supports a wide range of robots and drones, integrating with hardware from leading manufacturers like Boston Dynamics and DJI. The platform offers features like AI-powered analytics, LLM-driven mission control, real-world data analysis, and an "evergreen digital twin" for real-time visibility. Furthermore, the platform prioritizes data privacy and cybersecurity, keeping sensitive data within customer-controlled IT systems to ensure data sovereignty. Energy Robotics' technology addresses the challenges of an aging industrial workforce and complex infrastructure by automating critical tasks such as visual inspections, thermal scans, and leak detection. This results in improved worker safety, reduced human error, and more frequent data collection, while simultaneously cutting operating costs by up to 40 percent. The platform has already been deployed across five continents, saving over 32,000 hours of hazardous human labor. The investment, co-led by Blue Bear Capital and Climate Investment, demonstrates the increasing importance of autonomous inspection technologies for critical infrastructure and their potential for positive climate impact through early detection of gas leaks. The company's focus on data sovereignty and integration with existing workflows positions it well for continued growth in the European market.