Microsoft invests in Sarcos Robotics, aims to bring exoskeleton to market

Arif Bacchus

With more than 25 years of research and development, Sarcos Robotics has been producing human-controlled robots to improve health, safety, and quality of life. The same company, which has also long been known as the global leader in the development of dexterous industrial robots for use in unstructured environments, has announced that it has obtained funding from Microsoft and several other investors in order to bring an exoskeleton to the market.

Overall, Microsoft joins Caterpillar Ventures, GE Ventures, Cottonwood Technology Fund, two other private investment firms, and Sarcos co-founders  Ben Wolff, Dr. Fraser Smith and Dr. Marc Olivier in the investment. The ultimate goal of the investment, however, is to increase the production and deployment of the Sarcos’ Guardian line of robots. According to a press release, these robots are significantly reducing the risk of injury and the cost of performing many of the world’s most dangerous and difficult tasks.

Sarcos Robotics Guardian Exoskeleton
Sarcos Robotics Guardian Exoskeleton

Additionally, due to the investment, former Microsoft CFO Peter Klein, General Partner of Cottonwood Technology Fund, Ray Quintana, Managing Director of GE Ventures, Ralph Taylor-Smith, and Seattle-area technology and telecom investor Dennis Weibling have joined the Sarcos board of directors.

Kevin Dallas, Microsoft Corporate Vice-President, Internet of Things (IoT), put Microsoft’s investment with Sarcos Robotics best, and said:

“Microsoft is committed to pioneering new, real world use-cases in Industrial IoT. We are excited about the collaboration with Sarcos and our customers around dexterous industrial robots for use in unstructured environments. Sarcos’ Robot-as-a-Service offering, using Microsoft Cognitive Services, Azure IoT Suite, and Windows 10 IoT, creates a unique opportunity to fundamentally transform the safety and efficiency of many industrial tasks around the world.”

What do you think of Microsoft’s investment in Sarcos Robotics? Are you impressed with the exoskeleton? As always, please let us know what you think by dropping us a comment in the section below!