Top Robotics Mergers and Acquisitions in 2021

Robotics mergers and acquisitions in 2021 will be driven by necessity and opportunity.

The robotics industry is growing at a tremendous pace as the demand for robots has increased ever since before. Applications of robotics are not just limited to performing tasks in the manufacturing environment. Robots are now even being used at homes as assistants. Artificial intelligence, in combination with vision and other sensing systems, has enabled robots to master difficult tasks, along with compatibility at homes. Despite the COVID-19 induced crisis, 2020 was a busy year in terms of robotics transactions. According to The Robot Report, over 400 transactions worth a total of about US$26 billion in 2020, as of 21st December 2020, compared to 384 worth about US$45.8 billion in 2019. Conversely, around 60 robotics mergers and acquisitions took place in 2020, compared to 86 in 2019.

It is now expected that the M&A activity in robotics will accelerate in 2021 driven by necessity and opportunity. Analytics Insight has listed the top robotics mergers and acquisitions that have taken place in 2021 so far.

Accenture Acquisition of Pollux

Accenture, the leading consulting firm, has agreed to acquire Pollux, an industrial robotics and automation solutions provider. The acquisition has been made as part of Accenture's strategy to boost its digital manufacturing, operations, and supply chain capabilities. It will expand the company's capabilities for its clients in consumer goods, pharmaceutical and automotive industries seeking to make their factories, plants, and supply chains more productive, safe and sustainable. The financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.

ServiceNow Signs a Deal to Acquire RPA Company Intellibot 

ServiceNow has signed a deal to acquire Hyderabad-based robotic process automation (RPA) company Intellibot with an undisclosed amount. The acquisition deal comes at a time where companies are looking to automate workflows across the organization. According to Josh Kahn, SVP of Creator Workflow Products at ServiceNow, the announcement comes on the heels of the company's no-code workflow announcements earlier this month and is part of the company's broader workflow strategy.

Toro Acquires Left Hand Robotics

Toro, best known for its personal and professional mowers and various other landscaping machines, has acquired Left Hand Robotics, a robotic tractor/snowblower maker. The acquisition will support Toro's strategy of leadership in next-generation technologies, including alternative power, smart connected, and autonomous products. Left Hand Robotics is a Based in Longmont, Colorado-based robotics company recognized for developing innovative autonomous solutions for turf and snow management. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Verizon Takes Mobile Robot Software Provider incubed IT

Verizon, a multinational telecom conglomerate, has acquired incubed IT, an Austria-based developer of autonomous navigation and fleet management software for autonomous mobile robots (AMR). According to Version, this acquisition further demonstrates its commitment to developing new and innovative businesses and use cases leveraging the power of 5G. Under this deal, incubed IT's employees will join the Verizon New Business Incubation team.

DoorDash Buys Chowbotics, a Salad-Making Robotics Company

DoorDash, a San Francisco-based online food ordering company, has acquired Chowbotics, a robotics company best known for its salad-making robot, Sally. Chowbotics capitalizes on robotics to solve foodservice-related problems including compromised cleanliness and inefficiency. In an interview, DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang said "We have long admired the work that Chowbotics has done to increase access to fresh meals, with its groundbreaking robotics product and vision."

EndoWays Acquired by Ascendum

Ascendum Capital, a healthcare-focused investment platform, has acquired EndoWays, a developer of a disposable robotic system for the cath lab. The acquisition will provide EndoWays with access to the vast experience and network of the Ascendum team, helping stimulate its clinical and commercial development, especially in China. The Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

Stryker Purchases OrthoSensor to Enhance Mako Surgical Robots

Stryker has announced the acquisition of OrthoSensor, Inc., a leader in the digital evolution of musculoskeletal care and sensor technology for total joint replacement. OrthoSensor quantifies orthopaedics through intelligent devices and data services that allow surgeons and hospitals to deliver evidence-based treatments for all healthcare stakeholders. Through this acquisition, OrthoSensor's MotionSense remote patient monitoring wearables and mobile application, combined with the OrthloLogIQ cloud-based data platform, could enhance Stryker's data analytics capabilities.

Teledyne Acquires FLIR for US$8 Billion

Teledyne Technologies has acquired FLIR Systems in a US$8 billion cash-and-stock deal to strengthen its product portfolio. The deal represents a 40% premium for FLIR stockholders. In a statement, Teledyne Chairman Robert Mehrabian said "At the core of both our companies is proprietary sensor technologies. Our business models are also similar: we each provide sensors, cameras and sensor systems to our customers." Both companies make cameras, sensor systems and unmanned systems, among other products, but there is not much overlap.