Agile Robots

Agile Robots AG is a robotics company founded as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR). The company's mission is to bridge the gap between artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics by developing systems that combine state-of-the-art force-moment sensing and world-leading image processing technology. This unique combination enables Agile Robots to provide intelligent, user-friendly, and affordable robotic solutions that facilitate safe human-robot interaction.

Agile Robots offers a range of robotic arms for industrial applications as well as research and educational purposes. Their product portfolio includes industrial robot arms, collaborative robot (cobot) arms, robotic software, an anthropomorphic robotic hand, and an educational platform called Aini that teaches foundational concepts in logic, computer science, mathematics, and physics by enabling students aged eight to 15 to program and operate robots.

In November 2023, Agile Robots acquired Franka Emika GmbH, a German robotics company known for its Panda collaborative robot arm. The acquisition, valued at over 30 million euros, allowed Agile Robots to expand its operations, retain Franka Emika's 100-person workforce, and strengthen its position in the robotics industry.

As of November 2022, Agile Robots had over 1,000 employees worldwide. The company established a production facility in Kaufbeuren, Germany, with plans to hire an additional 60 employees and manufacture 2,500 robots per year within a few years.

Key customers and partnerships

In October 2023, Agile Robots gained idealworks, a subsidiary of the BMW Group focused on industrial automation, as a majority shareholder through a Series A financing round. This strategic partnership enables the joint development of new solutions and technologies, as well as access to further branches and markets. Agile Robots and idealworks complement each other in their industry expertise and range of solutions, with idealworks bringing in the BMW Group as one of its largest customers and its industrial know-how.