NEWS n A US-UK ROBOTICS COMPANY has raised $11m to accelerate the development of its AI-based assembly automation technology, and to meet demand from customers in the US, UK and Europe. Launchpad, whose headquarters are in Los Angeles, has an R&D facility in Edinburgh, Scotland. The company was founded in 2020 to “reimagine” manufacturing and revitalise local economies. It addresses labour shortages and improves competitiveness by combining proprietary AI technologies with advanced robotics to help firms to integrate human and robot workers. It claims that its technology can halve the time and cost of delivering automation systems. While robotics has the potential to address workforce shortages, Launchpad argues that the expense of traditional systems remains a barrier to adoption, particularly for small- to medium-sized firms. “Launchpad has built a technology that is helping manufacturers manage the optimal integration of humans and robots,” says the company’s CEO, Jon Quick. “We see AI tools, such as those being pioneered by Launchpad, as reimagining the manufacturing industry and revitalising local economies.” Launchpad’s two main technologies are: n a self-programming robotic tool called Digitool that enables a range of assembly tasks using real-time computer vision to overcome part and process variation. It can be used to assemble a variety of products efficiently and precisely, and to build adaptability into projects. n Digisolv AI which uses AI to transition from CAD files to execution, automating component classification and creating efficient assembly sequences. It is said to balance costs, material constraints and environmental impact. These technologies have already been deployed in factories in the US and Europe. The backers of the new round of funding include Ericsson Ventures, Lockheed Martin Ventures and the Scottish National Investment Bank. This is in addition to £2m of grant funding awarded by Scottish Enterprise a year ago to help establish Launchpad’s global R&D hub in Edinburgh’s New Town, where it employs a team of around 24 developing its advanced robotics technologies. US-UK robotics firm raises $11m to ‘re-imagine’ manufacturing 13 www.drivesncontrols.com November/December 2025 pot en ti a l o f y o Are you inve our workforce? esting in the mproves Comp Creates an Adaptable a ncreases Productivi mproves Safe W Industry recognised co I I a I any Reputation nd Flexible Workforce y and Performance orking Practices ourses from the BFPA W t a p Please call 01608 6479 00 or bfpa.co.u RITISH FLUID POW B email enquiries@bfpa.co.uk k/training WER ASSOCIATION / Launchpad claims that its technologies can halve the time and cost of delivering automation systems
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