Space Robotics Startup GITAI Raises $30 Million in Funding
Space robotics startup GITAI USA Inc. and GITAI Japan Inc. have announced the completion of a Series B Extension round of funding totaling 4 billion yen, or approximately $30 million, to accelerate and expand their business and technology development in the US.
"While SpaceX and BlueOrigin are reducing the cost of transportation to space by 100 times, we at GITAI are taking on the challenge of reducing labor costs by 100 times."
Sho Nakanose, GITAI
The funds raised in this round will be primarily used to enhance the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of GITAI's Lunar Robotic Rover and Lunar Inchworm Type Robotic Arm, expanding the company's engineering model/flight model manufacturing facilities in the US, and further expansion of employment in the US.
"While SpaceX and BlueOrigin are reducing the cost of transportation to space by 100 times, we at GITAI are taking on the challenge of reducing labor costs by 100 times," said Sho Nakanose, GITAI's Founder & CEO. "We will provide the most labor for the Moon and Mars and build infrastructure such as solar panels, communication antennas, fuel generators, and habitation modules."
In this round, GITAI raised funds through a third-party allotment from multiple companies and funds, mainly from existing investors.
Full US Operations Launched by Space Robotics Company in December
GITAI USA announced the launch of its full operations in the US in December of last year, along with the securing of its first purchase order from a major local space company. They recently conducted a successful demonstration of lunar base construction using two GITAI inchworm-type robotic arms and two GITAI Lunar Robotic Rovers in a simulated lunar environment. The GITAI robots completed all planned tasks successfully, and have passed various tests corresponding to Level 4 of NASA’s Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) in a simulated lunar environment in the desert. Additionally, more than half of the components used in these robots have already passed various environmental tests in simulated space environments.
GITAI is developing highly capable, safe, and reliable robots to help build and maintain satellites, space stations, lunar bases, and cities on Mars.
(Source: GITAI news release. Images provided)