Insider Brief
- Gix Internet is making a $500,000 strategic investment in U.S. autonomous robotics company Ottonomy through a SAFE agreement, with the deal expected to close during the week of Sept. 16.
- Gix plans to combine Ottonomy’s Level 4 autonomous navigation and robotic platforms with its Deliverz.ai software for managing robots, people and autonomous systems.
- The investment follows an August nonbinding agreement that contemplates additional investments that could eventually give Gix a majority stake in Ottonomy, which has deployed or tested its Ottobot delivery robots across healthcare, airports, industrial sites and last-mile delivery.
Gix Internet has made a $500,000 strategic investment in Ottonomy, giving the Israeli technology company an initial stake in the U.S. autonomous robotics developer as the two companies explore a deal that could eventually give Gix majority ownership.
According to Gix, the investment is being made through a simple agreement for future equity, or SAFE, and is expected to close during the week of Sept. 16, subject to customary conditions. The agreement gives Gix rights to receive Ottonomy equity following certain future financing or other specified events.
Gix said itplans to combine Ottonomy’s autonomous navigation and robotic platforms with technology from its wholly owned subsidiary, Deliverz.ai.
“We believe our investment in Ottonomy is a natural next step for Gix,” Gix CEO Amir Nardimon said in the announcement. “Our strategy is to build one intelligent management layer for robots, people, and autonomous systems. Deliverz.ai has already demonstrated this approach commercially in healthcare, while Ottonomy brings L4 autonomous robotics, advanced navigation and experience operating across a much broader range of physical environments.
The investment follows a nonbinding letter of intent in August that lays out a potential series of additional investments that could first give Gix a strategic ownership position in Ottonomy and, through subsequent investments, potentially a majority stake.
Autonomous Robots for Healthcare and Industry
Ottonomy develops the Ottobot family of Level 4 autonomous delivery robots for indoor and outdoor environments. Its systems have been deployed or tested in healthcare facilities, airports, industrial sites, remote locations and last-mile delivery operations.
The company has worked with organizations including Henry Ford Health, Wellstar Health System, Hancock Health, Sodexo and Rome Fiumicino International Airport. It also has pilots and commercial programs involving pharmaceutical, aerospace and energy companies.
The companies haven’t disclosed the valuation attached to the SAFE or financial terms for any potential follow-on investments. The proposed majority investment also isn’t binding and may not proceed. Gix noted that any further transaction remains subject to due diligence, financing, definitive agreements and regulatory and other approvals.
