EqualOcean learned that SAGE Intelligent（飒智智能）, a composite robot manufacturer, recently completed tens of million of Pre-A round financing. Shenzhen Capital（深创投） led the investment, with existing shareholder Jolmo Investment（金雨茂物） also participating. This financing will primarily be used for continuous development of core technologies for composite robots, as well as expanding the domestic and international markets and building an ecosystem with partners.
Established in late November 2017, Shanghai SAGE Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd. (referred to as "SAGE Intelligent（飒智智能）") is dedicated to the research, integration, and application of intelligent mobile co-robot technology and products. As a high-tech enterprise, SAGE Intelligent focuses on providing system solutions and developing core technologies for artificial intelligence and robotics.
SAGE Intelligent's product range covers various aspects, including robot controllers, robot operating systems, artificial intelligence and big data processing, cloud transmission and storage applications, application software, and complete machine products. It is one of the few suppliers that has successfully implemented innovative application solutions in industries such as aerospace, medical, power, daily chemicals, and collections.
In the context of the manufacturing industry's digitalization and intelligent transformation, discrete manufacturing industries have their own unique characteristics. Compared to process manufacturing, discrete industries such as daily chemicals and textiles often face challenges such as a wide variety of products, small batch sizes, and complex processes. These industries are typically labor-intensive, which places higher demands on flexible production and cost reduction. Traditional fixed-position robots that perform single tasks have limitations in terms of workspace and capabilities.
In response to these specific scenarios, SAGE Intelligent believes that robots, as a "new type of labor force," need to integrate with operators, production equipment, production environments, and production objects. Therefore, SAGE Intelligent has developed a series of collaborative robots that combine "transportation and operation" to simulate human work. These robots can perform complex and precise tasks such as flexible loading and unloading, unstructured sorting, precision assembly, and multi-SKU retrieval at multiple workstations. Compared to traditional automation equipment, they offer advantages in terms of precision and flexibility.
Chinese robot companies are increasingly looking to expand into overseas markets as the domestic market reaches saturation. According to data from Gao Gong Robot Institute（高工机器人研究院, short for GGII）, in 2022, the proportion of export orders for mobile robots in China exceeded 25% for the first time. GGII predicts that the global mobile robot market will exceed CNY 40 billion by 2023. This indicates that the overseas market is an important direction for Chinese robot companies to expand. Leading domestic robot companies such as Geek+（极智嘉）, Hikrobot（海康机器人）, VisionNav Robotics（未来机器人）, IRAYPLE（华睿科技）, Multiway Robotics（劢微机器人）, Syrius Robotics（syrius炬星）, Guozi Robotics（国自机器人）, and ForwardX（灵动科技） have actively entered the overseas market.
However, as She Sidi, the head of overseas markets at uditech（优地科技）, pointed out, the expansion of Chinese robot companies in the overseas market is still in the early stage. Entering foreign markets requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as relevant policies, acceptance of robots, and applicable application scenarios. These factors need to be balanced in terms of overall cost.
Regarding future plans, SAGE Intelligent stated that it will continue to accumulate a modular resource library and focus on the development of robot-generated actions. Furthermore, leveraging the current modular rapid delivery approach, it will further enhance the cost-effectiveness of its products and expand its advantages in large-scale applications.