Brunswick venture invests in marine robotics firm

METTAWA - Brunswick Corp. has completed an investment in Sea Machines Robotics, a developer of autonomous technology and advanced perception systems for the marine industry.

Sea Machines will use this new funding to grow its engineering and technology team, developing a new generation of products and features, and expand the global reach of its products, all with the primary purpose of transforming and modernizing the commercial marine industry.

Brunswick made the investment through its joint venture with Chicago-based Tech-Nexus Venture Collaborative. Begun in 2017, the joint venture's aim is to identify and advance transformative innovation to unlock new growth opportunities in marine applications.

Brunswick did not disclosed the details of its most recent investment. Others participating in this round of Sea Machines' $10 million funding included Accomplice VC, Toyota AI Ventures and Eniac Ventures. The investment marks one of the largest rounds of financing for a marine and maritime-focused technology company in history.

While Sea Machines' primary focus is currently on the commercial vessels market, Brunswick anticipates that research and developments in the realm of autonomous vessels will aid in similar capabilities and technologies that will eventually be adapted and extended into the recreational marine market, in which Brunswick is a leader in propulsion systems, boats, and marine parts and accessories.