Ideas and representations of robots and artificial life have been around since ancient times but they've really only become tangible in the last century. Though depicted in 19th century literature and early films, robotics didn’t come to fruition until the late 1940s. After the first robots emerged, they became popular for use in manufacturing and other repetitive roles.
Though we're not yet living in a world parallel to the one depicted in "The Jetsons," robots currently work alongside humans in multiple industries. We’re in an exciting age of innovation and progress, especially within robotics and artificial intelligence, and the following companies are a large part of that progress. These San Francisco based-companies are all enhancing the way robots operate, making machines smarter or creating new robotic technology altogether. Find out how the following companies are changing robotics in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Robotics Companies in the San Francisco Bay Area You Should Know
- Cruise
- Tempo Automation
- DroneDeploy
- Bright Machines
- Simbe Robotics
- Zipline
Founded: 2013
What they do: Tempo Automation’s software optimizes the way electronics and robots are developed through quick prototyping. The company specializes in rapid prototypes that are available in as little as three days. Tempo’s patented software is able to constantly keep manufacturers in-the-know when it comes to both production process and costs. Tempo Automation’s platform is used by the aerospace, medical and manufacturing industries to efficiently produce new robots and machines to reach even greater levels of innovation.
Founded: 2013
What they do: Cruise is an autonomous vehicle company partnering with GM and Honda to develop self-driving vehicles at a global scale. The company tests its vehicles in San Francisco in lieu of the suburbs because of the city’s diverse and unpredictable conditions that include pedestrians, cyclists and complicated intersections.
Founded: 2010
What they do: Vicarious is an artificial intelligence company working in the field of robotics, using AI and principles of the brain to create human-level intelligence within robots.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Zipline is a drone company that delivers medicine to those in need. Zipline is now developing an autonomous logistics network as well as fast and reliable delivery drones, providing access to medicine for 13 million people across Ghana and Rwanda.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Zoox is a completely autonomous fleet of vehicles operating in San Francisco. Not only do these self-driving vehicles avoid tough obstacles and drive on highways, but the cars are designed from the ground up, offering a zero-emission, bidirectional vehicle.
Founded: 2013
What they do: DroneDeploy creates software for commercial drones being used across industries like construction, agriculture, energy and insurance. Providing drone imagery, team collaboration and aerial site intelligence, the platform is utilized on over 40,000 job sites across 180 countries.
Founded: 2018
What they do: Bright Machines is a software company providing avenues for automating production robots and creating fully programmable factories. Through computer vision and machine learning, the company is working to make it simple to replicate and scale automation in factories, enhancing speed and flexibility in manufacturing overall.
Founded: 2015
What they do: Cafe X Technologies is the creator of Cafe X, robotic cafes serving coffee and teas around San Francisco. The robotic coffee bars take orders through a point-of-sale system and serve up artisanal drinks from local roasters in seconds.
Founded: 2016
What they do: Elroy Air makes end-to-end cargo delivery systems for the sky. The company’s aerial crafts deliver cargo over long distances without the need for an airport. The aircrafts carry heavy cargo for commercial, military and humanitarian aid, offering accessibility not traditionally provided by other aircrafts.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Saildrone creates and operates a fleet of solar and wind-powered drones made for ocean monitoring. The company offers ocean data collection around the globe as well as reliable, accurate weather forecasts accessible via mobile application.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Designed to provide retailers with greater visibility throughout stores, Simbe creates fully autonomous robotic products to enhance store operations. The company’s feature robot, Tally, is a lightweight, autonomous robot enabling stores to manage and audit inventory more efficiently.
Founded: 2014
What they do: Starship Technologies makes robots for the food and packaging industry. The company combines autonomous robots and mobile technology while working with stores and restaurants to enhance local deliveries. The robots deliver items like food and groceries within a four mile radius and operate via mobile application requests.
