SoftBank leads $500m round for Agile Robots

Munich-based robotics startup Agile Robots has secured a staggering $500 million (€450 million) in a new round of funding, propelling the company's total valuation to $8.5 billion. This brings the cumulative capital raised since the company's inception to nearly $2 billion. Agile Robots is widely regarded as a global leader in physical Artificial Intelligence, or AI systems capable of learning and integrating software and mechanics.

Their portfolio spans from mobile transport systems and complete manufacturing cells to delicate robotic arms and grippers that can handle even the most dexterous tasks. A key focus lies on humanoid robots that walk or roll, powered by a homegrown control platform that leverages real-world industrial data to enable autonomous operation in the factory environment.

The latest funding round was led by Japan's SoftBank Group, with participation from US chipmaker Nvidia, industrial giant Hitachi, and investment firm T. Capital. The company plans to use the fresh capital to expand its production capacity in Germany and launch into the US market, while also strengthening its domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Agile Robots already inaugurated a new production site in Fürstenfeldbruck near Munich earlier this year, capable of manufacturing up to 10,000 humanoid robots annually. The company's goal is to integrate these intelligent robots alongside humans in factories and warehouses, bringing this technology from the lab directly into industrial mass production.

Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Agile Robots was initially led by founder and CEO Zhaopeng Chen, who had been researching there, developing one of the world's most sensitive robotic hands. These systems now handle tasks in factories and warehouses that require human dexterity and judgment. Notable customers include automotive, entertainment electronics, healthcare, and logistics giants.

Globally, over 20,000 automation solutions are already in use, with the company employing over 3,500 people across more than 25 locations worldwide, including more than 2,000 engineers. Agile Robots holds more than 650 patents, and through acquisitions, it has expanded its market position in recent years, with Franka Robotics among its portfolio companies.