RISE Robotics raises funding for award-winning Beltdraulic actuators - The Robot Report

RISE Robotics, founded in 2011 by graduates of MIT and RISD and based in Somerville, Massachusetts, has developed an innovative Beltdraulic actuator technology that replaces traditional high-pressure hydraulic systems with a belt-and-pulley mechanism. This technology offers significant advantages including reduced leaks, lower complexity, increased efficiency, and improved sustainability. The Beltdraulic system delivers hydraulic-like power with electromechanical precision, eliminates oil and emissions, and is more shock-tolerant with a longer lifespan than screw actuators. Its fully digital design enables teleoperation and autonomy without additional sensors, making it faster, more efficient, and easier to maintain. The company recently raised $2.5 million from over 1,300 investors via Wefunder, marking a milestone of public and strategic validation. RISE Robotics has received recognition such as the Guinness World Record for the "Strongest Robotic Arm Prototype" with its SuperJammer arm lifting over 7,000 pounds, demonstrating the power and efficiency