5D Robotics

Founded in 2009 by R. Scott Hartley and David Bruemmer, 5D Robotics, Inc. operated as a software and sensor company focused on automation, navigation, and positioning technologies for vehicles. The firm was headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and developed solutions to provide highly accurate positioning, down to the centimeter, and guarded motion for air and ground vehicles, enabling them to operate reliably in environments with or without GPS, including adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, and fog.

The company's core offering was its software platform, which included the 5D Robotics Behavior Engine™. This technology supported a range of robotic functions such as navigation, mapping, localization, and obstacle avoidance. 5D Robotics developed hyper-positioning and autonomous navigation platforms that could transform existing vehicles into smart, autonomous units. A key specialization was its use of ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology for precise tracking and locating systems, which was leveraged to enhance the precision of autonomous, self-driving cars. Before its acquisition, the company expanded its intellectual property portfolio by filing 25 provisional patents in six months, a strategy to make it more attractive to purchasers.

5D Robotics served a diverse client base across several industries. In the defense sector, it worked with the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines to develop behaviors for unmanned systems. For intelligent transportation, it collaborated with the Department of Energy to create add-on kits for buses, trucks, and cars to improve safety and efficiency. Other markets included warehouse and distribution, security, and healthcare. The firm secured a total of $5.5 million in funding over two rounds, with investors including Caterpillar and Brick & Mortar Ventures. The company's journey culminated in its acquisition by Humatics Corporation on February 27, 2018. This strategic acquisition combined 5D's centimeter-level precision technology, effective over long ranges, with Humatics' millimeter-scale microlocation capabilities, aiming to create a comprehensive solution for industrial automation, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities.

Keywords: autonomous navigation, ultra-wideband technology, robotic software, vehicle automation, precise positioning, unmanned systems, obstacle avoidance, UWB, GPS-denied navigation, intelligent transportation systems, autonomous vehicles, sensor technology, mapping and localization, motion control, robotics behavior engine, defense robotics, microlocation, guarded motion, smart mobility, industrial automation