Oslo-based startup Sonair has raised $6 million to expand distribution of its ADAR sensor, a 3D ultrasonic sensing system designed for robots operating around humans. The round included both new and existing investors, such as Scale Capital, Investinor, RunwayFBU, SINTEF, and ProVenture. ADAR uses sound waves to map surroundings in real time and is safety-certified to PLd ISO13849 and SIL IEC 61508 standards. The company plans to use the funding to scale shipments to manufacturers in Asia, Europe, and North America, responding to growing demand for autonomous robots in logistics, manufacturing, and service environments.
Sonair develops sensors for autonomous machines. Its ADAR system uses 3D ultrasonic sensing to provide real-time spatial awareness for robots operating around people. The company focuses on meeting safety standards and supporting applications in logistics, manufacturing, and service environments. Sonair’s technology originates from research at SINTEF, a leading Norwegian research institute.
As autonomous robots enter warehouses, hospitals, shops, and public spaces, the need for safe human-machine collaboration is growing fast. That’s exactly what Sonair’s ADAR sensor is built for. With $6M in new funding the company can capture its global target market segments and establish a new category for robotic perception.
After a strong market debut earlier this year, ADAR (acoustic detection and ranging) is now shipping to manufacturers in Asia, Europe and North America. The sensor uses sound waves in air to give robots a precise, real-time 3D view of their surroundings, helping them operate safely in shared spaces.
Sonair is safety-certifying to PLd ISO13849 / SIL IEC 61508. An industry-first for 3D ultrasonic sensing, with the company now moving fast to meet rising, global demand.
“For robots to operate alongside humans, safety has to be built in from the start,” said Knut Sandven, CEO and co-founder of Sonair. “ADAR gives manufacturers a straightforward and more affordable way to achieve that.”
Sonair’s patented ultrasound technology provides precise 3D perception at a fraction of LiDAR’s cost. After testing with over 30 global companies, it now targets autonomous mobile robots in logistics and manufacturing, a market set to hit $15.6B by 2030.
Increased warehouse automation, labor shortages and new safety regulations are accelerating demand for technologies that enable people and robots to work side-by-side. In the U.S. alone, warehouse workers reported 4.7 injuries per 100 full-time employees in 2023 – nearly double the private industry average.
ADAR’s combination of safe 3D object detection, full vertical views, and low computational requirements enables safer robot movement, reducing risk without adding complexity or cost to the machine.
“If a robot can’t operate safely around people, it won’t be widely adopted,” Sandven added. “We’re giving manufacturers a tool they can trust, one that helps them meet the highest safety standards without slowing down innovation.”
Another reference customer, based in Europe, builds cleaning robots for commercial buildings. In both cases, safety is a top requirement because the robots will operate around humans.
Investors point to the company’s rapid progress from a portfolio of patents to commercial shipments as evidence of both technical excellence and execution speed.
For Scale Capital, joining the round was a bet on both the market and the team.
“Sonair makes robot safety simple,” said Terkel Douglas, Investment Manager at Scale Capital. “As robots become more common-place in our daily lives, safety becomes critical. By pushing the technical limits of sensing technology, Sonair has moved the robotics world several steps forward in a safe and cost-effective way. This is European deep tech at its best.”
Investinor, a state-backed VC in Norway, also joined the round.
“For robots to scale into everyday environments, safety cannot be optional,” said Egil Garberg, Investment Director, Investinor. “Sonair’s patented ADAR technology combines technical excellence with clear commercial traction. We believe the team is uniquely positioned to capture a rapidly growing global market for autonomous machines.”
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Read the orginal article: https://arcticstartup.com/sonair-raises-6m/
