Cartken’s Bold Pivot: From Food Delivery to Industrial Robotics
When you think about autonomous robots, you might picture those cute little delivery bots zipping around college campuses or bustling city streets. But here’s the deal: Cartken, the robotics startup we all loved watching deliver burritos and coffee through Tokyo, is now eyeing a bigger playground—industrials. Yes, you heard that right! They’re shifting gears from food delivery to factory floors, and it’s a game-changer.
The Inspiration Behind the Shift
Cartken co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch isn’t just riding the wave of robotics; he’s been surfboarding towards this moment since day one. Initially, companies began reaching out to see if their nifty delivery robots could serve other purposes—like transporting materials in large factories or labs. And you know what? It turns out there’s a significant need for this kind of innovation!
“Sometimes there’s even more direct value for companies in optimizing their material flows,” Bersch shared with TechCrunch. Just imagine walking through a factory and seeing one of these robots seamlessly transporting items, freeing up human workers for tasks that really need a pair of hands.
Real-World Impact: A Case Study
Earlier this year, Cartken snagged its first big industrial client: ZF Lifetec, a German manufacturing company. Initially, ZF tested out the Cartken Courier, a delivery robot that resembles a mini cooler on wheels. While it started off ferrying food, it quickly became a star in handling production samples—a task no one expected it to tackle!
“Our food delivery robot started moving production samples around, and it’s quickly turned into our busiest robot of all,” Bersch said. Sounds like an underdog story, right? This early success not only confirmed the potential of their robots in different settings, but it also motivated Cartken to expand their plans and focus on this exciting new avenue.
Navigating New Terrain
So, what’s remarkable about these robots? Well, they’re designed to navigate both indoor and outdoor environments. Thanks to years of experience delivering food, these little machines can dodge obstacles like pros. And here’s a fun fact: the technology they’ve developed for food delivery is being applied directly to larger, industrial robots.
By releasing the Cartken Hauler, a heavy-duty version that carries up to 660 pounds, Cartken is doubling down on this industrial market. They’re also rolling out the Cartken Runner for indoor tasks, and guess what? They’re even working on something resembling a robotic forklift. Talk about versatility!
Partnerships That Matter
Not to forget their budding relationship with Mitsubishi, another key player in this narrative! After years of collaboration, Mitsubishi’s Melco Mobility Solutions just ordered nearly 100 Cartken Hauler robots for use in Japanese industrial settings.
“We’re definitely seeing traction across various sectors—from automotive to pharmaceutical companies,” Bersch mentioned. With all these industries needing to streamline how they move stuff around, it’s clear that Cartken’s pivot isn’t just a whim; it’s a well-researched move into a rich field of opportunity.
Keep One Foot in Food
Now, before you get too excited thinking Cartken’s done with food delivery, hold on! Bersch stated that they’ll still continue testing and optimizing their original delivery services—just not expanding them further.
So, Cartken’s journey shows us a fascinating evolution in the robotics field. They’ve taken their food-delivering tech and made it applicable to industries in need.
What’s Next for Cartken?
As Cartken continues to innovate and expand, it’s worth watching where they go next. With funding of over $20 million from various investors, the future looks bright.
Want to stay updated on tech innovations? Check out this insightful piece on the future of robotics here.
So, what’s your take? Are you excited to see robots moving beyond just food delivery? Let us know in the comments!
