Canadian government announces contribution to next-gen robotic warehouse
by CM Staff
Investment will help position Attabotics as a leader in the robotics industry
OTTAWA — On Dec. 15, Ali Ehsassi, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry), announced a contribution of $34 million to Attabotics Inc., a robotics supply chain company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. This investment will help the company further develop and bring to market its robotics warehouse technologies and will continue to build on western Canada’s substantial strengths in transformative technologies, including clean technology, digital industries and precision agriculture.
The Canadian company initially received $6 million through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) and $5 million through Western Economic Diversification Canada for other projects before securing funds through the Strategic Innovation Fund for its $73.3-million project. Attabotics also recently announced that it has received $66 million in series C venture capital funding.
Attabotics’ system uses advanced manufacturing practices and automation technologies to offer the world’s first 3D robotics supply chain system for modern commerce. Through this project, Attabotics will maintain a minimum of 165 employees a year and create 449 new jobs by 2031.
Unlike traditional warehouses that require humans to physically store and access products in rows and aisles, Attabotics condenses an average warehouse into a single vertical storage structure that uses robotic shuttles travelling horizontally, vertically, on top of and underneath the structure to store and access goods. The company’s technology has the potential to significantly increase efficiency and reduce energy consumption compared to traditional large-scale centres.
This project supports the government’s Innovation and Skills Plan by growing Canada’s highly skilled workforce and advancing research in foundational new technology—a key component for future economic growth and innovation.
“We are so proud to be part of the evolving tech ecosystem here in Canada and are truly honored to have the support from the Government of Canada. The talent responsible for building Attabotics’ system from the ground up came from Calgary, and we look forward to using these funds to further grow our business and create even more opportunities for the local economy.” said Scott Gravelle, Founder, CEO and CTO, Attabotics.
