Extend Robotics

Reading, United Kingdom

Founded 2019

About Extend Robotics

Extend Robotics is a Reading, UK-based company founded in 2019 by Dr. Chang Liu as a spin-out from Imperial College London, developing virtual reality teleoperation technology that makes it easier for individuals to control robots remotely. The core of their offering is the Advanced Mechanics Assistance System (AMAS), an extended reality software platform that integrates with consumer VR headsets like Meta Quest and HTC Vive and third-party robotic hardware, enabling intuitive remote operation of robots in hazardous or inaccessible environments. The company has raised approximately $884,000 in total funding from investors including Henley Business Angels, Digital Catapult (£500,000 convertible loan note through Innovate UK), Connected Places Catapult, Anglia Capital Group, Plug and Play Tech Center, and TODS Ventures. Notably, the startup secured £150,000 after a successful pitch to Peter Jones on BBC Dragons Den in 2022. Extend Robotics operates on a Software-as-a-Service model, targeting markets where remote operation is crucial for safety and efficiency including nuclear decommissioning, oil and gas, industrial maintenance, manufacturing, and logistics. For nuclear applications, they provide low-bandwidth, latency-resilient VR teleoperation solutions enabling round-the-clock remediation automation compatible with existing radiation-hardened robots running ROS. The company is supported by the European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre UK, highlighting potential applications in space operations and satellite servicing.