$2 mln: RoboDeck – robot for maintenance of porches and decks

RoboDeck – “Roomba for decks” – a system for the maintenance of verandas and decks and the application of sealant to the surface of the tree. The company today announced a $2 million pre-seed round, just under two years after it hit the scene. This time, the round was led by SOSV, joined by Scalar Ventures and Etz Ve-Etza, as well as a number of private investors.

The company cites pandemic-driven interest in automation as a key funding factor. The post-pandemic workforce shortage is also a motivating factor as the company considers commercial applications of the system — for example, in office buildings, waterfronts and restaurants, virtually any outdoor surface with wood floors that is large enough to be a real inconvenience to maintain.

The robot can process up to 1,000 square feet in 20 minutes, something that would take a human much longer. Sealant is an “environmentally friendly” material developed in conjunction with Cabot, a New England company that has been caring for wood for over 140 years.

“RoboDeck boasts an impressive portfolio of clients including Cal Preserving, California’s largest deck maintenance company,” the company said in a release, “SVB Bank’s San Jose offices, Tel Aviv Municipality, Azrieli Group, Ariel Properties of Electra Group— Israel’s largest property management company, Bezeq, Herbert Samuel Hotels, Hadassah Medical Center and others.”

Part of the funding will go towards expanding the small 10-member team currently split between Israel and Los Angeles. RoboDeck is recruiting for its operations and R&D teams as the company seeks to expand production of its system in line with existing demand.