A&K Robotics announced the closing of an $8 million Series A funding round to accelerate the deployment of autonomous mobility solutions for airports and expand its production and research capabilities. The round was led by BDC Capital through its Industrial Innovation Venture Fund, along with Vantage Futures, and included participation from additional investors such as RiSC Capital, Grep VC, Nimbus Synergies, and Dan Gelbart.
The funding will support A&K Robotics’ transition from pilot programs to permanent deployments, increase manufacturing capacity, and accelerate adoption across global airport networks. The company is also expanding its research and development footprint, including a new rapid prototyping facility and a third site in Surrey, British Columbia, aimed at scaling production from dozens to hundreds of autonomous vehicles annually.
A&K Robotics is the developer of Cruz, a self-driving mobility robot designed to transport passengers through high-traffic indoor environments such as airport terminals. The system enables riders to select destinations while autonomously navigating crowded spaces using onboard sensors and AI, dynamically adjusting its path to ensure safe and efficient travel.
The company is addressing a growing need for accessible mobility solutions in airports, where increasing passenger volumes, labor constraints, and rising demand for assistance services are creating operational challenges. Approximately 17 percent of the global population lives with mobility limitations, and airport assistance requests are growing faster than passenger traffic.
Cruz is already deployed in real-world environments, including Vancouver International Airport and Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport, operated by Aena. These deployments demonstrate the platform’s ability to operate in complex, high-density environments while improving passenger accessibility and operational efficiency.
The company’s autonomous systems are powered by its Kinesos AI platform, which enables socially aware navigation in dynamic, human-centered environments. By focusing on indoor autonomy, A&K Robotics is targeting a segment that presents unique technical challenges compared to outdoor autonomous systems.
The investment reflects increasing interest in robotics and automation technologies that address real-world infrastructure challenges, particularly in transportation hubs where efficiency, accessibility, and scalability are critical.
KEY QUOTES
“Air travel is chaotic enough — getting to your gate shouldn’t be part of the problem. We’re building the infrastructure that helps airports move more people, more safely, and with greater independence; all while fitting seamlessly into existing operations.”
Matthew Anderson, Chief Executive Officer, A&K Robotics
“We’re bringing autonomy indoors. While others focus on roads, we’re tackling the harder problem — navigating dense, unpredictable airport crowds. Autonomous mobility is already standard in warehouses. We are bringing it into the most complex indoor environments: airports.”
Jessica Yip, Chief Operating Officer, A&K Robotics
“We are pleased to partner with A&K Robotics and support its work to address a critical need in modern transportation infrastructure. Their ability to deploy in dense, high-traffic airport environments positions them as a key partner for operators looking to improve operational efficiency, enhance passenger experience, and scale autonomous mobility across global networks.”
Matthew Handford, Executive Managing Director, Vantage Futures
“Canada is home to some of the world’s most advanced robotics and AI companies. A&K Robotics represents the next generation of industrial innovation, combining deep technology with real-world deployment in complex, human-centered environments. That’s the type of deep technology companies that strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness in advanced industries and contribute to its economic sovereignty.”
Byron Thom, Partner, BDC Capital
