Pudu Robotics announced that it has achieved large-scale application of its independently developed VSLAM (Visual Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology solution through its latest delivery robot PuduBot 2. By RTN Staff – 2/18/2023
Pudu Robotics, a leading China-based manufacturer of restaurant service robotics, has successfully closed a C3 Series funding round, raising more than $15 million. The financing round was invested solely by Puhua Capital, while Taihecap continued to act as exclusive financial advisor. The company will reportedly use the new funds primarily to build a new manufacturing base to expand production capacity and develop products for commercial cleaning scenarios.
Pudu Robotics has established a business presence in approximately 600 cities in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide. Since 2020, the company has been massively expanding beyond the confines of its home market, achieving rapid growth in shipments. Cumulative global shipments to date have exceeded 56,000 units, while overseas sales as a percentage of the company’s total sales have increased from 8% in 2019 to over 80% currently.
The company focuses on the research and development, design, production and sales of commercial service robots. As a result, it was able to independently research and manufacture four core components of commercial robots: motors, single-line LiDARs, RGB depth-sensing cameras, and computing platforms and motion controllers.
Pudu Robotics has a current range of products that includes indoor delivery robots, PuduBot, PuduBot 2, BellaBot, KettyBot, HolaBot, and SwiftBot, among others. It also has the FlashBot delivery robot, the PUDU CC1 and PUDU SH1 cleaning robots, and the Puductor 2 disinfecting robot. The company generated 90% of its revenue from sales in 2022, and cash income from operations grew by almost 40%. Year after year with deliveries of more than 20,000 units.
The high-end models, especially the BellaBot, are widely recognized in the global markets. Japan’s leading restaurant group, Skylark, ordered 3,000 BellaBots at once, setting an industry record.
Pudu Robotics recently shifted its focus to expanding its global footprint. With a current presence in over 60 countries and regions spanning over 600 cities, Pudu Robotics has shipped more than 56,000 units of its robots worldwide, with over 80% of its sales coming from overseas markets. To further penetrate various industries, Pudu has partnered with major brands such as McDonald’s, Coca-Cola and Marriott and deployed its robots in settings such as catering companies, hotels, shopping malls, convenience stores and office buildings.
In August 2021, Pudu Robotics successfully completed its latest funding round, raising $155 million from investors including Shenzhen Investment Holdings, Sierra Capital China and Meituan, a Chinese group shopping website for food delivery, consumer goods and retail services to be the Amazon of services and generated nearly $14 billion in sales last year. In 2020, the company secured a $15 million round of funding with Meituan as the sole investor.
Pudu Robotics is just one of several providers of robotic solutions for restaurants. For example, Bear Robotics offers “Servi,” a hospitality robot that helps operators and employees increase efficiency, reduce workload, and enhance interaction with guests. Servi can serve food, deliver drinks, and transport dishes back to the kitchen, eliminating repetitive service requests so restaurant staff can focus on delivering superior service. Other leading restaurant robot solution providers include KEENON Robotics and RichTech Robots.
