Lucid Bots Secures $20 Million in Funding for Window-Washing Drone Technology
Lucid Bots Secures $20 Million in Series B Funding
Lucid Bots, a drone manufacturer based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has successfully closed a $20 million Series B funding round to address increasing demand for its cleaning drones. This funding brings the company’s total capital raised to $34 million, as reported by TechCrunch. The Series B round was co-led by Cubit Capital and Idea Fund Partners.
The company specializes in producing the Sherpa cleaning drone and the Lavo ground robot, which are utilized by commercial cleaning operators for maintaining building exteriors, windows, and facades. The new capital will be allocated towards expanding headcount and enhancing manufacturing capabilities.
Growth from 100 to Nearly 1,000 Units
Founded in 2018, Lucid Bots initially operated as a cleaning contractor to gain insights into the industry before developing its products. This hands-on experience, including challenges faced by founder and CEO Andrew Ashur, informed the design of their robots, which are manufactured in the United States.
After five years of selling its first 100 units, the company is now approaching 1,000 units sold. As of early 2026, over 400 active operators are using the Sherpa across more than 40 states, collectively generating over $75 million in revenue from drone cleaning services. Ashur attributes this growth to several market pressures, including:
- Aging infrastructure
- Increasing size and complexity of buildings
- A shrinking labor pool for high-risk exterior work
Features of the Sherpa Drone
The Sherpa drone is designed as a hexacopter, equipped with six motors that provide up to 26.5 lbs of thrust each. Its airframe is constructed from stainless steel and aluminum, featuring IPX5 water resistance, which is essential for its cleaning operations.
Key specifications of the Sherpa include:
- Flight time of up to 19 minutes
- Coverage of over 300 square feet per minute
- Operational altitude of up to 400 feet when untethered
- Wind resistance up to 18 mph
- Pressure sprayer operating at up to 4,500 PSI
Lucid Bots has also demonstrated a power tether configuration that allows the Sherpa to operate continuously for over an hour at 3,500 PSI, eliminating the need for battery swaps during cleaning operations.
Expanding Beyond Window Cleaning
Lucid Bots is not limiting its offerings to window cleaning. The company is developing a tool attachment system that will enable the Sherpa to perform additional tasks such as painting, waterproofing, and sealing. This expansion is driven by customer demand rather than a strategic pivot.
Ashur noted that the company has already waterproofed a large university stadium using the Sherpa platform and is receiving approximately 50 inquiries per month for painting and coating services.
The integration of operational data collected by the robots into the company’s software is also a key aspect of their business model, allowing for continuous improvement of both hardware and software.
Conclusion
Lucid Bots exemplifies a company that has effectively transitioned from understanding industry needs to developing a successful product. The rapid growth from 100 units to nearly 1,000 units sold demonstrates a strong product-market fit, distinguishing Lucid Bots in a competitive drone industry.