Money is out there—particularly for low-cost platforms

… Philips Healthcare invests in Corindus’ vascular robotics start-up.
… New telepresence and hacked Kinect/Roomba platforms rolling out:
    Kickstarter enables MIT’s Garratt Galagher to get starter funding for his Bilibot.
    WillowGarage starts selling $500-$1,000 Turtlebot which, like the Bilibot, includes heavy-duty ROS.
    iRobot’s AVA adds an iPad to the arsenal. Interview with iRobot’s CEO talking about low-cost benefits and meeting consumer expectations (unlike recent baseball throwing bot which failed miserably throwing out first pitch at a Phillie’s ballgame).
… VCs are offering big development money for robotic apps and consumer products for the Android and iOS platforms.
… Finally, RobotShop is offering to partner and commercialize robotic inventions.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.

Frank Tobe is the owner and publisher of The Robot Report, and is also a panel member for Robohub's Robotics by Invitation series.