Q5D is tackling one of the most persistent bottlenecks in modern manufacturing: the manual assembly of wiring harnesses. Still done by hand in industries like automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics, this labour-intensive process is costly, error-prone, and often offshored to low-wage countries.

Q5D’s five-axis manufacturing robots produce parts on demand and automate embedding wiring directly into the structure of a product, boosting productivity. This process can be co-located with final assembly to simplify supply chains and make them more resilient at a time of turbulence in global trade.

In addition to reducing the cost of logistics, localised wiring automation removes the need for wiring harness inventory and unlocks substantial improvements in wiring efficiency, weight, and reliability. In the automotive sector, conservative estimates suggest Q5D’s technology could cut wiring costs by up to $200 per compact vehicle, while enabling greater supply chain resilience.

Collaborative projects are currently underway with several of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers and their tier-one suppliers at Q5D’s Technical Assessment Centre in Bristol.

"Our investment in Q5D and its automated electrification technology highlights our dedication to fostering a robust and resilient defence industrial base,” said Chris Moran, Vice President and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. “Through investments like this one, Lockheed Martin Ventures aims to accelerate the development of next-generation technologies that will enable our customers to stay ahead of emerging threats and maintain a strategic advantage in an increasingly complex security landscape."

 Q5D’s CEO, Stephen Bennington, commented: “As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated in their electrical and electronics functionality, wiring complexity has reached the limits of what’s possible with conventional harnesses. In addition, the disruption of complex supply chains for vehicle wiring has cost carmakers billions of dollars in lost profits over recent years. Our technology will enable them to take back control of product electrification and it’s encouraging to see so many experienced investors recognising the tremendous positive impact it will have on that industry and others. With no direct competitors and significant technical barriers to entry our potential market is vast.”

This funding will support commercial pilots, team growth, and the build-out of additional manufacturing capacity as Q5D moves toward full-scale deployment with leading industrial partners. Q5D expects to raise a further corporate investment round later this year.

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.