Robot development startup Torooc has received joint investment from K Cube Ventures and Kakao Brain. The funding amount was not disclosed.
Founded in 2012, Torooc develops home and family friendly robots. The startup is led by CEO Dr. Jeon Dong-sun who studied mechanical aircraft engineering at Seoul University, and he is supported by his team of hardware and software specialists that are currently developing a “living robot engine”.
Torooc’s flagship creation and current project is “LIVot”, a robot that is designed to connect with its user in a unique way. Using special technology, Livot attempts to understand its surroundings, choosing its own behavior and reacting to input.
The robot offers interaction by using facial expressions and movements according to context, giving it its own personality. Livot also has the bonus of being able to move around easily using complex motor control technology.
“By attracting this funding, Torooc will be able to finish up fine tuning development to begin selling our product, and we also plan to begin preparations to enter the global market soon,” says Jeon. “We will focus on harmonizing marketability and success of the product so that new technology on the robots can be useful and familiar to consumers.”
Jun Kim, partner at K Cube Ventures, commented on the investment. “From the late nineties there the development of robots that could connect with humans reached technological limitations,” says Kim. “As the market for family IT devices which use artificial intelligence gradually increases, I think that Torooc’s philosophy and next generation family robot developed using in-house technology will set it apart from other robot platforms”
