Representatives from ABB Technology Ventures and Magna International were among the speakers discussing the trends in advanced manufacturing.

Osram invested in Agrilution through its newly formed corporate venture capital unit, Fluxunit, and Tengelmann Ventures is also an investor in the agritech startup.

Based on research conducted at Sydney University, Abyss Solutions is working on robotics technology to detect damage to in-water infrastructure.

Robotic fruit harvester startup Abundant Robotics has raised $10m in a series A round led by GV that included BayWa and Yamaha Motor Company.

Intel, ABB and Nidec Sankyo have exited Persimmon Technologies in an acquisition by Sumitomo Heavy Industries valued at almost $32m.

Allied Minds-backed satellite communication technology developer BridgeSat has closed a $6m series A round.

The advanced manufacturing fund follows on from Apple's $1bn commitment to the $100bn Softbank Vision fund.