thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering has locations in Germany and the U.S. Source: Agile Robots
A physical AI company is strengthening its industrial automation expertise. Agile Robots SE this week said it is acquiring the assets of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering in Europe and North America. They were previously part of Automotive Technology segment of thyssenkrupp AG.
“Now is the right time to combine AI, robotics, and industrial expertise. Physical AI offers enormous productivity leaps to industrial producers,” stated Zhaopeng Chen, founder and CEO of Agile Robots. “Together with thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, we are perfectly positioned to drive the next industrial revolution — and to do that from Germany.”
Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Munich, Agile Robots said it has deployed more than 20,000 robots and doubled its revenue annually, reaching around €200 million ($231.9 million U.S.) in 2024. thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering’s 2024 revenue was in the hundreds of millions, it added.
Agile Robots cited the unit’s technological expertise, long-standing customer relationships, and decades of experience in the international automotive industry as reasons for the acquisition.
Agile Robots plans to grow beyond automotive industry
Agile Robots has implemented robots for customers in sectors ranging from consumer electronics to automotive around the world. The company claimed that these projects have not only involved installing robots but have also modernized entire production lines.
“Our goal is to shorten innovation cycles and continuously optimize our customers’ production processes,” Chen said.
However, the acquisition is taking place in a challenging market environment, acknowledged Agile Robots. The automotive industry is undergoing profound change, which the company said provides an opportunity.
“We want to reposition thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering and tap into new market segments,” asserted Chen.
Agile Robots noted that thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering can help it expand into high-growth industries such as electronics, medical technology, and logistics. The companies said they plan to apply their expertise in industrial automation and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), as well as to jointly develop new modular systems.
CEO Zhaopeng Chen at Agile Robots headquarters in Munich. Source: Agile Robots
Agile Robots builds out technical portfolio
Agile Robots said its integrated portfolio combines robotics hardware, software, data, and in-house manufacturing expertise. It acquired force- and power-limited arm maker Franka Emika GmbH in 2023 and launched the Agile ONE industrial humanoid last week.
The company currently employs more than 2,500 people from around 60 countries. Agile Robots also said it has one of the industry’s largest research and development teams, with more than 1,000 artificial intelligence and robotics experts.
With the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, Agile Robots said its team will grow by approximately 650 experts and 10 new locations in Europe and North America. In addition to providing engineers and supply chain expertise, Agile Robots said the group’s North American operations will help it strengthen its foothold in the U.S. market.
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering to be Krause Automation
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering was founded in 1950 under the name Johann A. Krause in Bremen, Germany, and said it quickly became a key machinery manufacturer for the automotive industry in the European market. In 1989, Thyssen Industrie AG acquired 100% of the company’s shares and expanded its presence in North America.
“We are bringing our many years of experience in plant engineering and project execution for demanding processes, mission-critical projects, and global customer structures into a dynamically growing, future-oriented organization,” said Dr. Rolf-Günther Nieberding, CEO of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering.
“With Agile Robots’ innovations, we can leverage our expertise in the application of robotics, software, and system integration to further enhance the value for our joint customers — while continuing to support the strong growth of the Agile Robots Group,” he said.
Agile Robots and thyssenkrupp said they intend to safeguard and further develop existing capabilities and their workforce’s strong engineering expertise. Following the acquisition, the company will operate as Krause Automation within the Agile Robots Group.
The transaction is subject to regulatory approval. The companies said they expect to close the transaction within the next few months and did not disclose the purchase price.
thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering will continue as Krause Automation. Source: Agile Robots
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