CaPow, an Israeli startup, has secured $15 million in a Series A funding round led by Toyota Ventures. The company has developed an innovative wireless charging solution for fleets of robots, aiming to revolutionize the operational efficiency of industrial automation. Founded in 2019 by Mor Peretz, Dr.
Eli Abramov, and Dr. Alon Cervera, CaPow is headquartered in Be’er Sheva. The startup’s technology, named Genesis, enables robots to charge without the need for a physical connection to electricity, overcoming a major challenge in the efficiency of industrial robots.
The system relies on radio wave technology, allowing energy to be transferred to robots while they are in motion within large logistics centers. This significantly reduces downtime for charging and dependency on lithium-ion batteries. Organizations that have implemented CaPow’s technology have reported impressive results, including a 32% decrease in the total cost of automation solutions and a 45% increase in the operational efficiency of their automated fleets.
By continuously supplying energy during operation and movement, CaPow reduces capital expenditures and ensures 100% productivity throughout a robot’s lifespan. Mor Peretz, CEO of CaPow, stated, “What CaPow is addressing is the operational efficiency of everything related to autonomous automation that is ramping up rapidly. These autonomous factories rely heavily on robots, which in turn rely on batteries, from lithium-ion to lead acid.
CaPow secures significant investment for growth
The primary cause of inefficiencies is from energy, or the lack of it. The work-to-charge ratio is 3:1 to 5:1, so we provide power in motion and en route.”
CaPow’s solution places electrodes on the floor or shelves that can charge the robots as they pass.
These electrodes can be thin sheets of copper, aluminum, or even conductive ink. The company uses an algorithmic tool to strategically place the antennae where the robots usually pass by. One of the key advantages of CaPow’s technology is its ability to extend the lifetime of battery packs.
By trickle charging around the sweet spot, such as 60 to 70%, and preventing overcharging, the system can extend the lifetime of a battery pack by at least three times. The wireless charging circuits can also detect issues with battery cells, helping customers avoid the danger zone. CaPow’s technology has the potential to eliminate the need for batteries entirely by using a supercapacitor power pack that holds power for the time the robot moves between interval charging.
Looking ahead, Peretz sees potential applications for humanoid robots, which he believes will be the next growing market for fully autonomous warehouses. CaPow’s technology could power these robots through their feet, as demonstrated in a demo with a robot dog patrolling a line. The $15 million Series A funding will support CaPow’s plans to expand production, scale research and development, and drive market expansion in an industry challenged by downtime and inefficiencies linked to conventional charging solutions.
The investment is a strong vote of confidence from prominent market players, accelerating CaPow’s mission to provide perpetual power solutions for the robotics, manufacturing, and logistics industries.
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