Lucid Bots continues to make moves in the robotics space. This time, the Charlotte robotics startup is boosting its machines' artificial intelligence.
Lucid Bots said today it has acquired Avianna, a developer of drone AI software. The Illinois-based company enables operators to talk to drones through voice command and chat. Lucid Bots' deal with Avianna will provide customers with that capability for its Sherpa cleaning drones and pressure-washing Lavo Bots.
"This is the ChatGPT moment for robotics," Andrew Ashur, founder of Lucid Bots, said in a statement.
The company's robots were initially controlled manually by joysticks. They also required a strong engineering background from users to program robotic operations. The acquisition of Avianna eliminates that expert need with the new voice-control function.
"This advancement will democratize robotics, allowing more people and businesses to benefit from automation," Ashur told CBJ.
Avianna was founded by Vic Pellicano, who combined software, AI and mechanical systems to transform how robots connect with the world.
"Technology has always played a role in uplifting humanity," he said in a statement. "We stand at the precipice of another such transformation."
Lucid Bots, formerly Lucid Drone Technologies, emerged into the industry originally with its Sherpa cleaning drones. They were created to pressure wash the exterior of buildings. The company launched its latest product, Lavo Bot, late last year to further eliminate challenges associated with cleaning exterior surfaces.
Ashur previously told CBJ the launch of Lavo Bot came after the company's drone customers voiced interest for a product that could clean flat surfaces such as sidewalks and parking garage floors. Lavo Bots were created with that need in mind, as the ground-based machine can clean up to 70% faster than traditional methods.
Lucid Bots' drones are primarily used for airborne projects, such as cleaning corporate buildings or disinfecting stadiums after games.
Both its Lavo Bots and Sherpa drones address worker challenges such as labor fatigue and unsafe jobs. Embedding Avianna's technology will bolster those efforts, the company said.
"With Avianna, we are not just enhancing our robots’ intelligence; we are redefining the user experience," Ashur said. "This integration ensures that anyone, regardless of technical skill, can leverage the power of robotics to achieve more."
Lucid Bots has been in growth mode since its founding in 2018.
In May, the company raised $9.1 million in Series A funding to expand its employee base and enhance its fleet of cleaning drones and pressure-washing robots. That brought its total capital raise since inception to about $13.5 million.
To accommodate its fleet of products, Lucid Bots also moved into a 16,000-square-foot space next to its original facility last year. That 6,000-square-foot headquarters is at 6601 Northpark Blvd. in Charlotte.
Lucid Bots ranked third in the Charlotte Business Journal's 2023 Fast 50 program, which recognizes fast-growing local companies based on revenue growth. It posted an average annual growth rate of 281% over the three-year period between 2020 and 2022.
