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A robotic cleaner could be coming to windows near you. Skyline Robotics, which has developed the Ozmo robotic window cleaner, today announced that it has closed a $9.8 million pre-Series A-2 funding round. That brings the total it has raised to date to $19.4 million.

The company said it plans to use the financing to expand deployments of Ozmo in New York and London, grow its research and development team so it can offer more services, and formalize its new construction line of business. 

“This vote of confidence from the investment community shows not only that our innovation is in high demand, but [also] that we have the team and product investors believe in to automate and move the industry forward,” stated Michael Brown, CEO of Skyline Robotics. “This round will help us continue to grow the company and enhance our patented technology with new feature sets to maintain building façade health.”

Ozmo intended to disrupt $40B industry

Skyline Robotics said that “it aims to automate all types of work at heights — starting with window cleaning.” The New York-based company asserted that its patented system will disrupt the $40 billion window-cleaning industry. 

Ozmo combines artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computer vision with advanced sensors and a KUKA KR AGILUS robot arm, according to Skyline.

“With Ozmo, window cleaning can be performed up to three times faster than humans, without putting workers at risk,” it claimed. “The result is a smarter, faster, safer, and more economical alternative to human window washers.”

The company has been recognized with a 2023 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award, as well as Fast Company 2023 Next Big Things in Tech Award and a PropTech Breakthrough Award for “Construction Robotics Solution of the Year.” It was also named to the 2023 BuiltWorlds Robotics 50 List.

Skyline Robotics spreads worldwide

Standard Skyline LLC led Skyline Robotics’ latest funding round, with with additional contributions from Durst Ventures, the venture capital investment arm of the Durst Organization, and high-net-worth (HNW) individuals.

Skyline Robotics previously raised $6.5 million in March 2022, funding from Durst Ventures in September 2022, and $3.35 million in August 2023.

The company has continued its global expansion. The company recently announced a partnership with Principle Cleaning Services to bring Ozmo window-cleaning robots to London. Skyline has also obtained patents from Japan and Singapore.

The global market for window-cleaning robots could experience a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2%, reaching $264.18 billion (U.S.), according to Contrive Datum Insights Pvt. Ltd. It cited North America and Asia-Pacific as regions leading in demand.

Technavio, was more bullish, predicting that the market could surge by $1.8 billion at a 21.44% CAGR, partly because of increasing skyscraper construction, safety and efficiency concerns, as well as technological advancements.