The company said it made nearly $100 million in revenue in 2017 and expected to exceed that figure in 2018. Anki said it had sold more than 1.5 million robots as of late 2018. The former Anki employee and another investor both said Vector sales were disappointing. This product would follow Vector, AnkiвЂ™s second-generation social robot for the home. | Credit: Silicon Valley Disposition Anki had prototype of next robotДЄ source with knowledge of AnkiвЂ™s situation told The Robot Report that Anki already had a prototype of its next consumer robot. This Jibo robot is part of AnkiвЂ™s assets that are being auctioned off. Another investor, who wished to remain anonymous, said licensing deals like this are good short-term strategies, but not a long-term way to build a sustainable business. Strategic partnership fell through at last minuteДЄ former Anki employee told The Robot Report a strategic partnership, which could have bridged the gap to the next robot, вЂњfell through at the last minute.вЂќ The source would not disclose details about the partnership, but later said Anki was not interested in developing a one-off, licensed robot in partnership with a well-known brand, which is a popular move among toy companies.ДЇor example, Sphero had a licensing agreement with Disney that lasted three years and included branded BB-8 and R2-D2 robot toys. Jibo remained fully functional until March 2019 when its servers were shut down. JiboвЂ™s assets were acquired by New York-based investment management firm SQN Venture Partners in June 2018. This is very similar to how JiboвЂ™s story ended. A lawyer, who specializes in IP and wished to remain anonymous, told The Robot Report that AnkiвЂ™s agreement with SVB was likely its вЂњlast option if it couldnвЂ™t raise further equity investment.вЂќ The source also said itвЂ™s very unlikely a major company would purchase the assets due to all of AnkiвЂ™s prior struggles. If and when it forecloses on the IP, SVB could sell the assets to try to recoup part of its financial loss.ДЄnki raised more than $200 million since it was founded in 2010. But SVB has zero interest in running a consumer robotics business. The Robot Report has not seen the Loan Agreement between Anki and SVB, so itвЂ™s unclear exactly what SVB has to do to foreclose on the IP. Here is a copy (PDF) of the security interest contract between Anki and SVB. If Anki failed to repay the loan, SVB has the right to seize the collateral to make up for the money it lost in the loan. To receive a loan from SVB, Anki had to put up its intellectual property as collateral. Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) has had a security interest in AnkiвЂ™s copyrights, patents and trademarks since March 30, 2018. Silicon Valley BankвЂ™s security interest in Anki IP Here is what The Robot Report has learned about AnkiвЂ™s struggles since announcing the shutdown. I have never received more emails about a story than I have since the Anki news broke on April 29, 2019. AnkiвЂ™s demise has been, unfortunately, one of the most popular topics covered by The Robot Report. This is one of many signs that indicate there likely is no future for the consumer robotics company. Starting today and running through June 20, the assets inside AnkiвЂ™s 40,000-square-foot office in San Francisco are being auctioned off. Read Story.ДЇor everyone wondering about a potential Anki comeback, donвЂ™t get your hopes up. Update on December 26, 2019: AnkiвЂ™s assets have been acquired by edtech startup Digital Dream Labs.

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