Robart

Robart GmbH, an Austrian technology firm established in 2009, specializes in developing intelligent navigation systems for autonomous consumer robots. The company was founded by Harold Artés, who served as CEO and CTO, and Michael Schahpar, who acted as President and CMO/CFO. Operating on a B2B model, Robart provides its advanced robotic "brains"—the Artificial Intelligence Control Unit (AICU)—to major international appliance manufacturers who integrate this technology into their own branded products. These AICUs are designed to be flexible and customizable, enabling functionalities like floor cleaning, home security, and item fetching.

The core of Robart's offering is its proprietary navigation technology, which allows household robots to understand and map their indoor environment. This system uses a combination of sensors and artificial intelligence to create room maps, respond to changes in the surroundings, and execute specific tasks like "clean the kitchen." Users can interact with the robots remotely via smartphone or tablet, pinpointing the robot's location and giving commands. Robart's business model focused on supplying these complete, ready-to-use control units, which include the sensor, electronics, and software, to prominent clients such as BSH, Rowenta, Kärcher, and Medion. By providing the underlying AI and navigation, the company aimed to become a leading system for home robots, similar to Android's role in mobile phones.

Over its history, Robart secured significant funding from notable investors including Robert Bosch Venture Capital, Innovacom, SEB Alliance, and Crédit Mutuel Innovation. The company raised a Series A round in 2014, a €6.1 million Series B round in 2017, and a $9 million debt financing round from the European Investment Bank in 2020. Headquartered in Linz, Austria, the company expanded its operations with branches in China, Germany, and the USA to support its global clientele. However, the company faced significant financial challenges, leading to insolvency proceedings in September 2023. This followed a failed acquisition plan by its main customer, Groupe SEB, and the termination of a partnership with another key client, which led to substantial revenue loss.

Keywords: robotics, artificial intelligence, smart home, navigation technology, autonomous robots, consumer robotics, robotic vacuum cleaners, AI control unit, sensor technology, B2B robotics, home automation, IoT, intelligent navigation, robotic systems, mechatronics, Harold Artés, Michael Schahpar