Controlling robots like a smartphone

Imagine standing on a factory floor and controlling a wide variety of industrial robots - via touchscreen, as intuitively as ordering at a fast food restaurant. What sounds like future tech is reality at Unchained Robotics. The Paderborn-based start-up has raised 8.5 million euros in a Series A Extended round. The lead investor is Direttissima Growth Partners. The goal: international expansion and technological development of its automation platform.

The founders of Unchained Robotics (from left): Mladen Milicevic and Kevin Freise © Unchained Robotics

The focus is on LUNA OS, a standardized control software that integrates robots from different manufacturers into production processes via a common interface. According to Unchained Robotics, it is as easy to use as a smartphone: no programming, no experts required. The company is thus lowering a key barrier to entry in industrial automation.

Modular complete solution for SMEs and corporations

In addition to the software, the company also offers the MalocherBot, a turnkey automation solution for tasks such as palletizing or packaging. Users can configure suitable systems via the online platform and integrate them directly into their production. Over 300 companies already rely on the technology, including Vorwerk: "The solution has enabled us to automate quickly and easily - without any programming knowledge," says Jörn Compernaß, Managing Director of Vorwerk Logistik.

International scaling and new standards

Unchained Robotics is currently expanding into the USA, where it is realizing its first major partnership with the Albéa Group, one of the world's largest manufacturers of cosmetics packaging. More than 20 robots have already been installed and up to 70 are planned. The aim is to reduce operating costs and make automation accessible in areas where expertise has previously been lacking.

In the long term, the company wants to establish a global standard for robot control. "Unchained Robotics solves the problem of a lack of standardization in the industry. LUNA OS and the MalocherBot enable true scalability - a decisive step for the future of manufacturing and logistics," says Christopher Hoffmann from Direttissima Growth Partners.

Responding to the skills shortage - with AI-supported robotics

In view of the increasing labor shortage (in Germany alone, around 3.7 million people could leave the labor market by 2030), simple automation is becoming a strategic advantage. At the same time, the potential offered by AI is growing: "Our vision is for robot systems that can learn and adapt flexibly - LUNA OS forms the bridge between intelligent software and physical robotics," explains co-founder Kevin Freise.

Unchained Robotics was founded in 2019 by Kevin Freise and Mladen Milicevic and is one of the 50 most promising start-ups in Germany according to tech magazine Sifted.