SoftBank Ventures Asia makes $5.8m Investment

SoftBank Ventures Asia, the venture arm of Japanese billionaire Masayoshi Son-led SoftBank Group, was the primary investor in a $5.8 million round in Seadronix. This newly available capital increases the firm’s total fundraising to $8.3 million.

Seadronix, which was founded in 2015, creates AI software to assist cargo ships in navigating with minimum human participation, akin to autonomous vehicles. The firm’s two major offerings are a dock-side monitoring system and an open-water monitoring system, both of which are now in use in four Korean ports.

“Our mission is to be an AI platform that ensures the safety and environmental protection of the ocean,” said Byeolteo Park, cofounder and CEO of Seadronix, in a statement. “With this funding, we hope to recruit more talents in AI and sensor fusion and navigation, and accelerate our global market penetration plan.”

According to the business, Seadronix’s unique solutions might cure 75% of maritime catastrophes caused by “human errors and environmental issues,” such as carbon dioxide leaks that can create lethal explosions.