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Robots - Wednesday, October 12, 2005

a:c on M.I.T. Tech Review - Robotic Rollouts

This week's a:c trend exclusive at TechnologyReview.com:

Robotic Rollouts
After years of caution, venture capitalists are warming up to robotics companies such as iRobot, Zoom Systems, and InTouch Technologies.

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Venture capitalists tend to be fairly conservative people -- despite their reputation for risk taking. Consequently, few robot-makers have received venture funding. In fact, it's possible that many VCs put robot business models on a par with time travel and jet-pack transportation.

With the announcement of a $115 million IPO by Burlington, MA-based iRobot, though, companies commercializing robot technology are beginning to attract VC attention. On his blog Feld Thoughts, venture capitalist Brad Feld admits to such hindsight: “iRobot will go down in my history as one of those companies I was too stupid to invest in...Robotic Vacuum Cleaner? C’mon."

Read more on Technology Review


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