This Agile Robots company profile covers the company's valuation, revenue, funding rounds, investors and history. Agile Robots works in robotics, with a focus on industrial and intelligent robots. It was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in Munich, Germany. Its latest valuation on record is More than US$1 billion (September 2021). Every figure links to a public source, and anything the company hasn't disclosed is marked as such.
Revenue
Funding history
| Date | Round | Amount | Valuation | Investors | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2021 | Series C | US$220M | More than US$1B | SoftBank Vision Fund 2 (lead); Chimera Investments, Hillhouse, Sequoia China, Linear Capital, Xiaomi, Foxconn Industrial Internet | Reuters (via Nippon.com) |
Agile Robots timeline
Key dates from the sources on this page, oldest first. Metric snapshots are listed after the funding events.
- 2018 — Agile Robots is founded in Munich by Zhaopeng Chen (CEO) and Peter Meusel.
- Sep 2021 — Series C: US$220M, valuing the company at More than US$1B. Investors: SoftBank Vision Fund 2 (lead); Chimera Investments, Hillhouse, Sequoia China, Linear Capital, Xiaomi, Foxconn Industrial Internet.
Investors
Overview
Agile Robots builds robot arms and automation systems that can sense force and touch, letting them perform delicate tasks such as precise assembly, polishing, inspection and handling of fragile parts. Most industrial robots follow programmed paths without feeling what they are touching; force-sensitive robots adjust their movements based on contact, which makes them suitable for tasks that previously required human dexterity. Agile Robots combines this hardware with vision, AI software and complete solutions for industries such as electronics, automotive, logistics and healthcare.
The company was founded in 2018 in Munich as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics, a world-leading robotics research institute. Its chief executive is Zhaopeng Chen. It also has major operations in China. In September 2021 it raised US$220 million in a Series C led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, which valued it at more than US$1 billion, according to Reuters, making it one of the first robotics unicorns in Germany. Later reports described talks over a much larger round; we found no confirmed newer valuation.
Products
- Force-sensitive robot arms: collaborative robots with torque sensors in each joint.
- Robotic hands and grippers: dexterous manipulation tools.
- Vision and AI software: perception and control software for complex tasks.
- Turnkey solutions: complete automation cells for electronics assembly, inspection, logistics and laboratories.
- Medical robotics: systems for healthcare applications.
- Humanoid development: work on general-purpose humanoid robots.
Funding
Agile Robots raised early funding from investors in Europe and China. Its September 2021 Series C of US$220 million was led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, with participation from Chimera Investments, Hillhouse, Sequoia China and Linear Capital, plus strategic investors Xiaomi and Foxconn Industrial Internet, according to Reuters. The round valued the company at more than US$1 billion. Sifted later reported the company was in talks to raise around US$800 million, with SoftBank considering a large investment; final terms had not been confirmed in the sources we reviewed.
Business model
Agile Robots sells robots and complete automation solutions to manufacturers and other businesses, often working with customers to design systems for specific tasks. Strategic investors such as Foxconn, a major electronics manufacturer, can also be customers or partners, helping deploy robots at scale in factories.
Competition
Agile Robots competes with collaborative robot makers such as Universal Robots, Franka Robotics, ABB, Fanuc and KUKA; with Chinese robot companies; and with German peer Neura Robotics. In logistics, it overlaps with warehouse automation companies such as Exotec. Its differentiation is its DLR heritage and expertise in force control and dexterous manipulation.
Agile Robots at a glance
Agile Robots is a Munich robotics company founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center's robotics institute, led by Zhaopeng Chen. It builds force-sensitive robot arms, hands and automation solutions. It raised a US$220 million Series C led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2 in September 2021 at a valuation of more than US$1 billion.
Timeline
- 2018: founded in Munich as a DLR spin-off.
- 2020: raises funding from European and Chinese investors.
- September 2021: raises US$220 million led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, valued above US$1 billion.
- 2022–2026: expands product lines, acquires companies and develops humanoid robots.
The DLR heritage
The German Aerospace Center's Institute of Robotics and Mechatronics has developed advanced robots for space and industry for decades, including lightweight robot arms with joint torque sensing that influenced the design of modern collaborative robots. Its research has spawned several companies. Agile Robots draws on this expertise in sensitive, precise manipulation, which is particularly valuable for tasks that require a human-like touch.
Germany and China
Agile Robots has operations in both Germany and China, combining German engineering with access to China's large manufacturing market and supply chains. This dual presence brings opportunities but also complexity, as geopolitical tensions between China and Western countries affect technology companies. Some investors and customers pay close attention to ownership and data flows.
Who funds Agile Robots
Agile Robots' investors include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Chimera Investments, Hillhouse, Sequoia China (now HongShan), Linear Capital, Xiaomi and Foxconn Industrial Internet.
Valuation context
Agile Robots' valuation dates from 2021. Our guides to robotics startups and the largest German startups compare it with peers.
Risks
- Dated valuation: the last confirmed valuation is from 2021.
- Geopolitics: operations spanning Germany and China face regulatory and political risks.
- Competition: established robot makers and many startups compete.
- Manufacturing cycles: customer spending depends on industrial investment.
Questions for buyers
- Which tasks require force sensing in your production?
- What integration support is offered?
- What safety certifications apply?
- Where is service and support available?
A typical application
An electronics manufacturer needs to insert flexible cables into connectors on circuit boards, a task that requires feeling when the cable is seated correctly. Conventional robots struggle because small variations cause damage. A force-sensitive Agile Robots arm, guided by vision, finds the connector, inserts the cable and adjusts pressure based on feedback, achieving consistent results. This frees workers from repetitive, fiddly work and improves quality.
Why dexterity is the next frontier in automation
Industrial robots have automated welding, painting and heavy lifting in car factories for decades, but many tasks still require human hands: assembling small parts, handling soft or irregular objects, inserting cables, polishing surfaces and inspecting products by touch. These tasks are common in electronics, medical devices and consumer goods manufacturing. Automating them requires robots that can sense and respond to forces, see their environment and adapt to variations. Advances in sensors, control algorithms and AI have made such robots more capable and affordable. Labour shortages and rising wages in many countries, including China, increase the incentive to automate.
Agile Robots' focus on force-sensitive manipulation positions it to address these tasks. The company's growth will depend on proving reliability in production environments and on offering complete solutions that manufacturers can deploy without large in-house robotics teams.
What to watch
Watch for confirmation of new funding, humanoid robot progress, large manufacturing deployments and geopolitical developments.
Takeaways
Manufacturers can automate delicate tasks with force-sensing robots. Founders can see how research institutes produce deep-tech companies. Investors should treat the 2021 valuation as dated.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the public sources below. Where sources disagreed, we used the company's own announcement or a primary news report. Private-company data changes; check the date beside each figure.
Frequently asked questions
What does Agile Robots do?
Agile Robots is a robotics / industrial and intelligent robots company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It was founded in 2018.
What is Agile Robots's valuation?
Agile Robots was valued at More than US$1 billion as of September 2021, according to Reuters (via Nippon.com). Private company valuations are set at funding rounds or share sales and can change significantly between them.
How much revenue does Agile Robots make?
Agile Robots is a private company and has not publicly disclosed its revenue. Figures on third-party sites are usually modelled estimates rather than numbers reported by the company.
What was Agile Robots's latest funding round?
The most recent financing we have verified is a series c in Sep 2021: US$220M, at a valuation of More than US$1B. Source: Reuters (via Nippon.com).
Who are Agile Robots's investors?
Investors named in public announcements include SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Chimera Investments, Hillhouse, Sequoia China (HongShan), Linear Capital, Xiaomi and Foxconn Industrial Internet.
Who founded Agile Robots?
Agile Robots was founded in 2018 by Zhaopeng Chen (CEO) and Peter Meusel.
Is Agile Robots a public company?
No. Agile Robots is a private company (private, venture backed), so its shares are not traded on a stock exchange and it isn't required to publish its financial results.
Where is Agile Robots headquartered?
Agile Robots is headquartered in Munich, Germany.