Aethon's family of hospital helping robots is about to grow.
The Robinson maker of the drug delivery bot TUG has landed $6.6 million in new capital to fuel company growth and add two new bots. And the company's hiring 10 in engineering, sales, and service.
A substantial slice of the funding, $5 million, was made possible through a partnership with the Bosch Group, a German supplier of technology and services. The investment will fuel the launch of two new bot systems that will join the Aethon family, says Aldo Zini, president and CEO.
The MedEx system is an innovation in the delivery of high value medications through the hospital setting, tracking sensitive drugs like narcotics that must be carefully monitored. It's a bit like ordering something through FedEx, giving you the ability to track your package through the postal system, Zini explains.
"These are medications that require a lot of record keeping, from the minute it gets into to our system to its delivery to the patient. There's no other product like it out there." MedEx will be installed in three hospitals.
The other new system, EVS, will provide environmental services to hospitals, bots that deliver fresh linens daily and collect trash and soiled linens.
Aethon has experienced steady growth since it launched its first robotic courier system, TUG, in 2005. The company, which serves more than 100 hospitals nationwide, currently employs 70.
Bosch, with its global leadership and engineering expertise, will help Aethon connect with opportunities in the global healthcare marketplace. "There may be other areas of business expansion as well given Bosch's extensive business relationships both in Europe and worldwide," Zini says.
Sign up to receive Pop City every week.
Writer: Deb Smit
Source: Aldo Zini, Aethon