Spain-based Robotnik Automation provides “mobile service robotics technology”. The startup is focused on the development, manufacture & commercialization of AMRs as well “mobile manipulators” for different applications in both industrial & academic fields: inspection, inventory, security & logistics. Founded in 2002 by Robert Guzman (CEO) & Rafael Lopez (COO), the company has sold <5000 robots in 50 countries around the world (incl. Korea, Japan, China, Singapore, USA, France, Germany, Italy) & participated in <60 European R&D projects. Robotnik Automation has its own R&D department & a team of <70 multidisciplinary employees. One notable robot developed by them is called SUMMIT-XL, which is used for inspection applications in tunnels, remote substations, agricultural fields, shipbuilding & railway infrastructure. The robot is based on a ROS modular platform, capable of mounting a wide range of sensors & actuators, with 5 hours of operational autonomy & a self-(re)charging station. One such robot is currently used to ensure the safety & reliability of the high-voltage power line between France & Spain (the line is 64.5km long: 33.5km in France + 31km in Spain & crosses the Pyrenees through an 8.5km tunnel in the central part of the route; which the robot inspects). According to acquirer – United Robotics Group (a subsidiary of RAG Stiftung) – Robotnik Automation “will help us (among other) develop more applications for CobiotX, our third generation human(oid) robot”. Ps: financial details of the acquisition weren’t disclosed. <Source: roboticstomorrow.com, infoplc.net, therobotreport.com>
