African Innovation: Silas Adekunle and Mekamon

Twenty-six-year-old Nigerian born founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Reach Robotics, Silas Adekunle has inked an exclusive multi-million-dollar deal with Apple.

Adekunle developed a robot that is now selling in almost all Apple stores in the US and UK for $300. The $300 Mekamon robots are four legged creatures that use cleverly calibrated movements to express emotion and even shoot lasers in an augmented reality smartphone game.

Reach Robotics

Reach Robotics, the Bristol, UK based firm has developed an augmented reality platform, Mekamon, that combines with robotics to bring video game characters to life. Silas Adekunle has raised about $10 million so far for his startup and is in the process of securing more funding. The startup is credited with developing the world’s first gaming robots. Through his startup, Silas Adekunle currently employs about 40 people.

Silas Adekunle has a BSc Robotics, Robotics Technology, 1st Class Honors from University of the West of England. It was while in College that he developed his first prototype which is now on display at Reach Robotics in Bristol.