Home Delivery Service (HDS Global), the highly personalized ecommerce delivery service powered by RoboFS, a revolutionary, AI-based robotic fulfillment system, today announced a $3 million strategic investment by Bob DiRomualdo, Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Naples Ventures and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Ulta Beauty, to accelerate development and deployment of the company’s RoboFS demonstration center located in Indianapolis.
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Consumer goods are organized into sanitized totes to support a multiple gripper pick module that can achieve a 95% automated pick success rate. (Photo: Business Wire)
By combining industry-defining automation, AI-powered software and eco-friendly delivery totes with free home delivery, HDS Global addresses what’s broken in ecommerce today. DiRomualdo’s investment supports development of the industry’s first end-to-end robotic fulfillment system (RoboFS) and its demonstration center which will showcase touchless fulfillment.
DiRomualdo is currently Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Naples Ventures, LLC, a private investment company he formed in 2002. He has also served for 17 years on the Board of Directors at Ulta Beauty and as Chairman for the last three years. In 1989, he was appointed CEO of Borders Books, growing retail sales from $100 million to $3.8 billion and pioneering the multi-media superstore cafe concept.
“Ecommerce has become an essential component in people’s daily lives but what many don’t realize is that it can be exponentially better than what is offered today,” said DiRomualdo. “I was attracted to working with Louis again and to the company’s big idea approach – an all-new robotic fulfillment system purpose-built for ecommerce – which can deliver a vastly improved experience at lower cost. I am excited to be a part of bringing this vision to life.”
HDS Global is undertaking a massive endeavor in overhauling the way ecommerce functions. Bob DiRomualdo adds tremendous experience and knowledge as the company demonstrates its high-throughput technology built for rapid rollout, prior to seeking venture funding. Since inception, HDS has been funded through its own ecosystem of strategic partners and investors.
“The success of our touchless fulfillment system is a result of our partner-centric approach. To date, we have raised $38 million from partners and industry leaders,” said Louis Borders, Founder and CEO of HDS, as well as Borders Books & Music, Synergy Software, and Webvan. “The design and build of RoboFS would not be possible without our advisory group, comprised of corporate investors like Ingram Micro and Toyota, as well as individual investors like Bob DiRomualdo. They understand our bold vision for the future of e-commerce and play an important role in guiding our design and accelerating our deployment.”
About Home Delivery Service
Founded by Louis Borders, Home Delivery Service (HDS Global) is transforming ecommerce – end-to-end – leading with fresh groceries and including a full general merchandise selection. Powered by the latest in AI and advanced robotics, the company’s patented automated fulfillment system, RoboFS, enables quick, touchless order fulfillment, resulting in fresher-than-store goods, delivered direct to the customer’s door. The company has also developed a novel user experience, customized around the dietary needs, preferences, and brand favorites of each individual customer. With its bold vision and innovative technology, HDS has secured funding partnerships from the world’s leading brands, including Ingram Micro and Toyota. The company is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA.
For more information, please visit: http://www.hdsglobal.com, and to learn about the technology that powers HDS, visit: http://www.robofs.com.
Please direct any questions to: press@hdsglobal.com.
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