Roboligent

Roboligent makes robots that can safely interact with humans.

These robots automate manual tasks in industries such as logistics and healthcare — areas that often involve significant human interaction.

Traditional robots aren't designed to safely handle interaction or adapt to unplanned events. Roboligent’s robots, in contrast, use Artificial Intelligence to safely and efficiently automate tasks while working with people.

Roboligent has multiple pending patents for its technology and won a $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Most recently, it began pilot studies to validate its technology’s use in real world settings and established a supply chain relationship with an automation factory in Singapore.

Robots are expected to play a big role in the future. By 2030, the global autonomous robot market is projected to reach $220 billion.

When you think of autonomous robots, you might picture waves of them taking over product assembly lines, or filling up giant factories. But demand for robots outside of these settings is soaring.

Demand is particularly high in people-focused service industries that require strenuous, repetitive work. Physical therapy centers and logistics facilities fit this category, and also suffer from labor shortages and high turnover rates. That’s why companies in these markets are looking for automated solutions to complete this work.

The problem is that most robots on the market today aren’t safe for human interaction. As a result, they’re a non-starter for applications where people work or consume services.

Conventional robots are often rigid in terms of movement. And they can’t adapt to unplanned interactions or tasks. Meanwhile, Roboligent’s robots behave like humans, enabling them to complete tasks efficiently and work safely with people around them.

The company’s robots are built as an autonomous mobile manipulator system. This consists of a robotic arm mounted onto a mobile platform. The arm is highly sensitive and smooth for fragile object manipulation, but strong enough to lift heavy objects. The mobile base autonomously navigates to reach targeted locations, avoiding obstacles and humans along the way.

Notably, Roboligent’s robots use proprietary “force-control technology.” Essentially, this gives them a human-like sense of touch, enabling them to recognize exactly how much force they need to complete a task. Simply put, this is what enables them to move with precision and accuracy, without causing damage or errors on the job. It also keeps people safe when interacting with these machines.

The company’s first robot is called the Optimo Regen, designed to automate tasks in the physical therapy market. The device can provide repetitive rehab exercises to patients with motor defects or paralysis.

Its second robot is called the Optimo Dex, and was built for precise “pick-and-deliver” tasks in the logistics market. In other words, this device easily navigates aisles of products in warehouses and efficiently gathers items headed out for sale.

At the moment, Roboligent sells the robot hardware to customers. However, the company plans to shift to a “Robot-as-a-Service” model, creating a subscription service where customers can essentially rent robots as they need them.

Team Background

Bongsu Kim - Founder & CEO

Bongsu has a background in robotics.

Prior to starting Roboligent, he was a graduate research assistant at the University of Texas, where he focused on developing an upper-body exoskeleton robot for rehabilitation purposes.

Before that, he was a research engineer with Korea Electric Power Corporation, a utilities company. He held this position after spending two years as a research assistant with the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), often referred to as the “MIT of South Korea.”

Bongsu earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Hanyang University, a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST, and a Ph.D. in Robotics from the University of Texas at Austin.

James DeBacker - Robotics Engineer

James has been with Roboligent since 2017.

Previously, he was an engineer at Southwest Research Institute, where he developed algorithms for research in cutting-edge combustion engines and electric car battery testing. While there, he worked with GE and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Before that, he was a research assistant at the Reneu Robotics Lab at the University of Texas. He assisted students with design-related tasks of robotic systems and programming. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas.

Jovita Ezeokafor - Software Engineer

Jovita leads Roboligent’s software development efforts.

Before joining the company, she was an engineer at the Southwest Research Institute. Prior to that, she was a technician at the University of Texas, where she developed a particle detection instrument used by NASA.

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from UT.

Yi Herng Ong - Mechanical Engineer

Yi joined Roboligent in 2020 after spending two years at Oregon State University. While there, he was a graduate researcher focused on robot manipulation. His research was presented at top robotics-related conferences such as the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, and the International Conference on Robotics and Automation.

Yi holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s degree in Robotics from Oregon State.

Co-Investors