Aldebaran rises 5 million to develop the robot Nao

Robotics successful start-ups hexagonal. After Violet, the Navasota which attacks the U.S. market, or Wavestorm, whose software powers the promising Skypee by Meccano, it is the turn of Aldebaran Robotics announced a fundraising of 5 million euros with CDC Innovation and I-Source Gestion for the development of its robot Nao. “The support of renowned investors such as CDC Innovation and I-Source Gestion is a great validation of our technology choices and business model of our company. The company has taken major steps since its inception in 2005, and this funding will enable us to strengthen our teams of professionals, to deliver our Nao robots to Robocop teams, and to prepare its public launch the next year. “commented Bruno Maisonnier, CEO of Aldebaran Robotics. A both intelligent and communicating, Nao robot is 60 cm high, fully programmable through its onboard computer and for various applications in areas such as education, entertainment, home support or security.

The question is whether this small robot, whose commercialization is expected in early 2009 to a rate of around 3000 euros, will be more successful than Aibo the robot dog from Sony that the price of 2000 dollars he was not allowed to meet with the same success that Nabaztag, a Wi-Fi rabbit of about 120 euros already sold more than 200 000 units.