Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund: A Closer Look at the First 5 Funded 

The $1 billion corporate fund is focused on finding faster ways to deliver goods and improve the overall customer experience. It’s no surprise that all five of the companies operate inside the four walls of a DC and demonstrate a continued investment in AI and warehouse automation. 

Here’s a snapshot of the five startups that received the initial investments. 

Agility Robotics

The Oregon-based company is building upright robots that can successfully do tasks like move totes or packages and unload trailers. They also plan to incorporate the technology into last-mile delivery.

The robots can walk forward, backward, side-to-side, turn in place, go up and down inclines including curbs, and across grass, gravel, or other uneven terrain. Impressively, the robots can pause and navigate around a person or barrier and are able to use arms, hands, and feet to balance when bumped. According to Jonathan Hurst, Agility Robotics’ CTO and co-founder, the “…robots move more like a person than the stereotypical rigid robot. That makes for a more effective robot in a world built for people.”

BionicHIVE

The Israeli company is developing the SqUID, an autonomous robot that can attach to warehouse racks and move vertically to retrieve boxes. The robotic fleet can adapt to an existing setup and can work floor-to-ceiling. 

SqUID warehouse logistics robot by Bionic Hive. pic.twitter.com/1QzhBO4S5V

— MachinePix (@MachinePix) January 12, 2021

Mantis Robotics

Founded in 2020, the San Francisco-based startup is developing a responsive robotic arm that uses sensor technology to more safely interact with people. Mantis Robotics also touts greater productivity, a lower cost of ownership, and a quick, no-code deployment. 

Modjoul

The Greenville, South Carolina startup is developing wearable tech with safety sensors that provide personalized alerts and recommendations to reduce injuries. Haptic feedback keeps the wearer employing proper body mechanics as they lift boxes or other tasks. 

The wearable tech is a belt with six sensors to provide motion, location and environmental data. Haptic feedback reminds employees of correct body mechanics while performing tasks like lifting boxes. Collected data can inform workplace training to help reduce injuries. Modjoul has already piloted programs with a major steel producer, in the airline industry, and a large e-commerce company. 

Vimaan

Founded in 2016, the Santa Clara startup is seeking to improve inventory management by pairing computer vision with AI. An aerial drone and network of sensors integrate with the WMS to manage warehouse inventory, including put-away, storage, picking, and pack-and-ship. Vimaan touts 100% inventory location accuracy.