Automata expands its lab automation ambitions with $50M B round
The world’s labs are under pressure to do more tests and process more materials, not just due to COVID but from the growing biotech and drug development sectors — and automation is the sure path forwards. Automata, which got its start making a robotic arm for handling individual tasks, has now raised $50M to automate entire lab processes from start to finish. When we last talked with Automata in 2019 , the company had just raised a $7.4M A round and was focusing on developing and deploying its Eva robotic arm, which could be used for a variety of common tasks: moving glass around, performing simple samples, that sort of thing. But they soon found that life as a robot provider for small, highly individual projects and labs wasn’t a viable business model. “It’s not enough to engage with your customer at one stage — like, ‘here’s the most affordable robot arm on the market, good luck!’ If companies buy one or two robots, it optimizes a few processes but it doesn’t revolutionize how that...
![[text] The Sketchboard Pro is an iPad stand designed for artists. It’s compatible with over 30 sizes of iPad. It retails for $119. There are spots for placing an Apple Pencil upright or connected to the iPad for charging as well as openings for the camera and power cable. The iPad fits snugly so the entire surface is flat. [image: Three views of the Sketchboard Pro from overhead, one empty, one with an iPad being inserted as well as a power cord and one with an iPad in place.]](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sketchboard-pro-review-02.jpg)
![[text] There are four pop-out legs on the back so the board can stand (with two legs at a time) at an angle in any direction. The board measures 19.5 x 17 inches (49.5 x 43.2 cm). [image: two back views of the Sketchboard Pro, one with legs collapsed and one with legs out.]](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sketchboard-pro-review-03.jpg)
![[text] The Sketchboard Pro sits at a 20 degree angle and weighs 4.5 lbs (about 2 kg). It can also stand upright like an easel, but I found this position to be less stable. [image: side views of the Sketchboard Pro to demonstrate a 20 degree angle]](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sketchboard-pro-review-04.jpg)
![[text] I tested the Sketchboard Pro with a 12.9” iPad (2019). Combined, they weighed about 5.6 lbs (2.54 kg). I found the board easy to use at a desk or table, but more cumbersome in casual settings such as a couch. [image: illustrations of holding the Sketchboard Pro by the handle and sitting and drawing]](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sketchboard-pro-review-05.jpg)
![[text] The Sketchboard Pro is a handy accessory for artists who work extensively on the iPad. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for a digital drawing setup to mimic a traditional drafting table and hoping to save your posture. [image: an illustration of the Sketchboard Pro]](https://techcrunch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/sketchboard-pro-review-06.jpg)
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