thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering has areas in Germany and the U.S. Supply: Agile Robots
A bodily AI firm is strengthening its industrial automation experience. Agile Robots SE this week mentioned it’s buying the property of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering in Europe and North America. They had been beforehand a part of Automotive Expertise section of thyssenkrupp AG.
“Now could be the suitable time to mix AI, robotics, and industrial experience. Bodily AI presents monumental productiveness leaps to industrial producers,” said Zhaopeng Chen, founder and CEO of Agile Robots. “Along with thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, we’re completely positioned to drive the following industrial revolution — and to try this from Germany.”
Based in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Heart (DLR) in Munich, Agile Robots mentioned it has deployed greater than 20,000 robots and doubled its income yearly, reaching round €200 million ($231.9 million U.S.) in 2024. thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering’s 2024 income was within the tons of of hundreds of thousands, it added.
Agile Robots cited the unit’s technological experience, long-standing buyer relationships, and a long time of expertise within the worldwide automotive business as causes for the acquisition.
Agile Robots plans to develop past automotive business
Agile Robots has applied robots for patrons in sectors starting from shopper electronics to automotive world wide. The firm claimed that these initiatives haven’t solely concerned putting in robots however have additionally modernized total manufacturing strains.
“Our purpose is to shorten innovation cycles and constantly optimize our clients’ manufacturing processes,” Chen mentioned.
Nonetheless, the acquisition is happening in a difficult market atmosphere, acknowledged Agile Robots. The automotive business is present process profound change, which the corporate mentioned supplies a chance.
“We need to reposition thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering and faucet into new market segments,” asserted Chen.
Agile Robots famous that thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering may help it increase into high-growth industries resembling electronics, medical know-how, and logistics. The businesses mentioned they plan to use their experience in industrial automation and autonomous cellular robots (AMRs), in addition to to collectively develop new modular methods.
CEO Zhaopeng Chen at Agile Robots headquarters in Munich. Supply: Agile Robots
Agile Robots builds out technical portfolio
Agile Robots mentioned its built-in portfolio combines robotics {hardware}, software program, information, and in-house manufacturing experience. It acquired force- and power-limited arm maker Franka Emika GmbH in 2023 and launched the Agile ONE industrial humanoid final week.
The firm presently employs greater than 2,500 individuals from round 60 nations. Agile Robots additionally mentioned it has one of many business’s largest analysis and improvement groups, with greater than 1,000 synthetic intelligence and robotics specialists.
With the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, Agile Robots mentioned its staff will develop by roughly 650 specialists and 10 new areas in Europe and North America. Along with offering engineers and provide chain experience, Agile Robots mentioned the group’s North American operations will assist it strengthen its foothold within the U.S. market.
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering to be Krause Automation
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering was based in 1950 underneath the title Johann A. Krause in Bremen, Germany, and mentioned it rapidly grew to become a key equipment producer for the automotive business within the European market. In 1989, Thyssen Industrie AG acquired 100% of the corporate’s shares and expanded its presence in North America.
“We’re bringing our a few years of expertise in plant engineering and mission execution for demanding processes, mission-critical initiatives, and world buyer constructions right into a dynamically rising, future-oriented group,” mentioned Dr. Rolf-Günther Nieberding, CEO of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering.
“With Agile Robots’ improvements, we will leverage our experience within the software of robotics, software program, and system integration to additional improve the worth for our joint clients — whereas persevering with to assist the robust progress of the Agile Robots Group,” he mentioned.
Agile Robots and thyssenkrupp mentioned they intend to safeguard and additional develop current capabilities and their workforce’s robust engineering experience. Following the acquisition, the corporate will function as Krause Automation inside the Agile Robots Group.
The transaction is topic to regulatory approval. The businesses mentioned they anticipate to shut the transaction inside the subsequent few months and didn’t disclose the acquisition worth.
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering will proceed as Krause Automation. Supply: Agile Robots
