A subsea robotics-maker near Clear Lake is ramping up production to meet new deliveries this year.
Houston Mechatronics Inc., headquartered in Webster just over 2 miles from the NASA Johnson Space Center, develops artificial intelligence-powered robotic systems for offshore wind infrastructure, underwater data centers, government entities and more. The robotics company was founded by former NASA employees. Nic Radford, co-founder, CEO and CTO at Houston Mechatronics, previously led NASA’s humanoid robotics efforts for the International Space Station and future missions to Mars.
2020 was a breakout year for Houston Mechatronics, but it wasn’t without its problems, Radford said. The company had a $50 million term sheet rescinded while fundraising last year amid the Covid-19 economic crash, causing a liquidity crunch. At the same time, Houston Mechatronics was growing to meet critical milestones for defense and commercial customers. But out of those problems came opportunity, he said.
“We were a little light on gas; we were overworked; people were scared,” Radford said. “In my opinion, one of the greatest moments in this company’s history was that we came through it. We were successful, and it led to the largest single contract and order in the company’s history.”
Houston Mechatronics is on track to deliver nine of its robotics products to commercial and government customers in the next 12 months, Radford said. One of the company’s flagship products is the Aquanaut, a subsea robot capable of morphing between a long-range autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) to a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of performing intricate tasks underwater.
Houston Mechatronics also develops the Olympic Arm, automated arm hardware capable of performing tasks underwater with a variety of tools. The robots are then controlled by artificial intelligence-powered software that relies on clicks to operate as opposed to a more traditional joystick option.
Houston Mechatronics provides its subsea robots to a range of different commercial and governmental clients. In November, the company announced an agreement with marine technology firm Triumph Subsea Services to provide 26 all-electric Olympic Arms for Triumph’s growing fleet of ROVs. Houston Mechatronics has also worked with the Office of Naval Research and Department of Defense customers to deliver custom robotic systems.
Houston Mechatronics put its fundraising efforts on hold in the middle of last year and handled its operations with commercial cash, but Radford recognizes the importance of capital infusion in meeting the company’s future growth goals.
“We’re at that point right now. We’ve scaled the company enough, we’ve matured the company enough, our product is ready to go, and we’re fulfilling commercial obligations right now,” Radford said. “I’d say the investment community has recognized the miracle of survival that 2020 was for HMI and is responding handsomely.”
Houston Mechatronics employs a team of around 65. The Houston-area company also has international expansions in mind: Houston Mechatronics hired its first employee based in the U.K. last year, and the company is considering opening a physical office there in the future. HMI is also considering an expansion into Asia to support deals in that region, Radford said.
Locally, HMI is thinking about moving offices within the next year to support its growth and to have better access to water.
“We’re looking at offices, and we’re looking at building our own building, actually, on Clear Lake,” Radford said.
As if developing subsea robots powered with artificial intelligence wasn’t enough for Radford, the technologist plans to unveil a new startup centered around mobility out of stealth mode soon.
Houston Mechatronics Inc. was one of the Houston Business Journal's inaugural Innovation Award honorees in 2019.
