INNOK Robotics: Mobile outdoor robot wants 10 mio.

For a long time, INNOK Robotics from Regenstauf near Regensburg has developed and tried to sell its mobile outdoor robots rather in the background. The INNOK robots are reminiscent of those from Clearpath. Clearpath was a US startup and is now owned by the Otto Group. Like Clearpath, INNOK has been around for a decade.

Powerful batteries inhibited the development

The idea of mobile outdoor robots was ambitious for years simply because the batteries were still weak and expensive. With their high-profile tires and movements in sometimes rough terrain, the energy consumption of an outdoor robot is much higher than that of an AMR. AMR wheels have little tread and the indoor floor is often slippery. In addition, the nearest charging station for an indoor AMR can be reached during a break. For an outdoor robot, this is rarer. In addition, for a long time there was the limited periphery. Today, intelligent camera systems can work together with cobots and outdoor robots. A few years ago, the corresponding camera software did not exist.

Great customer potential

There are many potential customers, e.g. companies with free-standing halls where an AGV cannot perform a shuttle service (e.g. because there is snow in winter), agriculture or niches. The old INNOK had focused on such a niche: Cemetery nurseries: For them, a mobile irrigation robot was developed, which is offered at a price of m.W. over 70,000 euros. In theory, this is a good target group that suffers from a shortage of personnel, and is therefore theoretically ideal for automating a simple and monotonous task in a fairly safe environment. In practice, however, probably the most unfavorable customers: No experience with technology, not used to invest high amounts in technology and probably still able to somehow manually water graves. Instead of low-cost series production, the customers were more interested in special machine construction. In the end, there was a lack of attractive quantities. The company had also financed itself through research funds. Ultimately, the revenues were too low. Without an investor, it was not possible.

Since September 2021 with VC participation

In September 2021, Prolimity GmbH acquired an 80% stake in the new INNOK Robotics GmbH. The investment company has experience in robotics and has apparently provided sufficient capital to not only secure ongoing business operations, but also to present itself accordingly. This includes participation in automatica and LogiMat. Cemetery nurseries are not likely to be found there. The commissioning of EY with the generation of 10 million euros should also not be entirely favorable. Regardless of success, a fee is customary. More actively one is now also with selling (listing with Unchained Robotics) and public work (Podcast Robitik in the industry was addressed). This also includes the revision of the website.

Strong increase in sales is planned

Provided that the capital acquisition is successful, a turnover of 15 million euros should already be realized in 2025(link). The market potential may be there, the technology is further along than it was a few years ago, and with the commercial support of the majority shareholder, the necessary expertise is probably now available. Therefore, it may well be that the name INNOK Robotics will be heard more often in the future.

Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> To the Cobot group on LinkedIn (Link) .

In my own right/advertisement
The author of this blog is significantly involved in the AI/robotics project Opdra. He advises robotics companies and investors on market analysis and funding/subsidies. More about him can be found here.

(Photo is a screenshot from https://iot.telefonica.de/innok-robotics-setzt-auf-iot-von-telefonica/ )