Aethon Inc., Pittsburgh-based developer of autonomous mobile robots for hospitals and health systems, said it has received a $3 million investment from Mitsui & Co. (USA), Inc. Mitsui, which is a subsidiary of Mitsui & Co. Ltd., invested $4 million in Aethon in April 2012.

According to Aethon President and CEO, Aldo Zini, “Mitsui USA’s add-on investment is a sign of their confidence in the worldwide interest for Aethon’s solutions both in healthcare logistics and the potential for applications outside of healthcare.”

Funding is expected to accelerate the growth of Aethon’s U.S.-based sales force as well as increase marketing and business development efforts in foreign markets. Mitsui’s extensive relationships and contacts in global markets will assist in those endeavors.

Since its launch in 2004, Aethon has deployed over 400 mobile TUG robots, which are transporting hospital medication, meals, linen, equipment and supplies over 50,000 times a week.

“Mitsui USA’s decision to increase its investment in Aethon was based on the company’s immediate opportunity for growth and longer term market potential. Their products are proven and Aethon is a nimble organization poised to take advantage of emerging opportunities,” said Shigeyuki Toya, General Manager of Mitsui USA’s New Business Development Department. “We anticipate substantial growth in healthcare robotics over the next five years, and continue to expect Aethon to be at the forefront of that movement.”

In addition to Mitsui USA, Aethon has previously received investment funding from the Bosch Group and some of the nation’s largest venture capital firms including Trident Capital, a key investor in many successful robotic and technology companies. Aethon’s solutions represent efficiency and improved utilization of the clinical workers in a hospital.