AILOS Robotics has successfully raised €3.5 million (approximately $4 million) to advance the commercialization of its innovative R2poweR gearbox. This groundbreaking technology merges the agility of quasi-direct drives with high torque density, allowing robots to operate with enhanced efficiency, reduced weight, and improved safety. The company, based in Brussels, aims to transform the landscape of robotics, particularly for applications involving humanoid robots, robotic arms, and wearable devices such as exoskeletons and prosthetics.
Innovative Gearbox Developed for Modern Robotics
According to Pablo López García, co-founder and CEO of AILOS, the development of the R2poweR gearbox responds to the evolving needs of contemporary robots. “Modern robots require a new generation of actuators,” he stated. “With R2poweR, we combine the smoothness of quasi-direct drives with the power of advanced acceleration systems. This removes one of the biggest technological barriers to lightweight, agile, and safe robots.”
The R2poweR gearbox is designed specifically for applications where power and force are limited. It boasts low backdrive resistance, which enhances safe interaction, and exhibits high torque density suitable for heavily loaded joints. AILOS emphasizes that this technology is not only scalable but also quiet and energy-efficient, making it suitable for large-scale production in both Europe and the United States.
Transitioning from Research to Production
AILOS Robotics emerged as a spinoff from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and its BruBotics research group in 2024. The development of the R2poweR gearbox has been a decade-long endeavor, supported by the Flemish innovation and research office (VLAIO) and the Innoviris innovation accelerator.
With the newly acquired funding, AILOS is set to shift focus from laboratory-based research to industrial production. The company is actively pursuing collaborations with robot manufacturers, industrial partners, and investors to bolster the European robotics infrastructure.
Investors, including QBIC and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), have expressed optimism about the potential impact of AILOS Robotics on the human-centric robotics market. They believe that the investment not only supports AILOS but also contributes to Europe’s goal of locally producing essential hardware for the rapidly evolving robotics industry.
According to Cédric Van Nevel, partner at QBIC, “AILOS is addressing a critical bottleneck in humanoid and collaborative robotics, and the team possesses the right technology, IP, and vision.” QBIC, which manages nearly €200 million (around $232.2 million), focuses on early-stage investments in technology-driven ventures.
Furthermore, Anne Umbach, an investment manager at HTGF, highlighted AILOS’s potential to emerge as a leading technology innovator in Europe. HTGF, with over €2 billion ($2.3 billion) under its management, has a track record of financing startups across various sectors, from deep tech to life sciences.
In addition to venture capital support, finance&invest.brussels plays a crucial role in promoting entrepreneurship within the Brussels Region. The organization provides financial assistance to startups, scale-ups, and small to medium enterprises, fostering sustainable growth and inclusive development.
As AILOS Robotics prepares to transition to mass production, the successful commercialization of the R2poweR gearbox could significantly enhance the capabilities of future robotic systems, promoting advancements in industries that rely on human-like machines.
