Vanderlande invests in platform technology from Smart Robotics

Smart Robotics was founded in 2015 and emerged from Eindhoven University of Technology. The company develops, sells and rents modular collaborative robots (cobots for short) that can be configured for specific tasks. Its solutions are used for a wide range of processes, e.g. order picking, (de)palletizing or picking and packing with human operators.

The company's software platform forms the core of its solutions and enables the integration of state-of-the-art technology, such as vision sensors, artificial intelligence and grippers.

For 2.5 years, Smart Robotics received both support and venture capital from the Brabant Development Company (BOM). "BOM pursues a very similar robot vision to ours, so the collaboration in the start-up phase was a perfect strategic fit," reports Mark Menting, Managing Director of Smart Robotics.

"With the support of BOM, we were able to develop into the successful and profitable company we are today. Now Vanderlande has taken on this role to help Smart Robotics achieve further international growth. They have the product-market combination we need to achieve our new goals. Even though our financial relationship with BOM ends here, we will certainly continue to work together to create awareness, strengthen the already well-developed robotics ecosystem in Brabant and ensure a promising innovative future for robotics."

Given the rapid changes in the logistics market, direct access to new robotics technologies and integration possibilities for system integrators continues to play an important role, especially in the warehouse and parcel sector. The partnership between Vanderlande and Smart Robotics provides a roadmap with mutual benefits through a joint R&D program. Item picking is an important area of development to promote warehouse solutions for e-commerce.

Thanks to this investment, both companies will benefit from a stronger focus, shorter time-to-market and a solid platform for the development and commercialization of joint solutions. Vanderlande will continue to contribute R&D expertise and financial resources and will also outsource a number of projects to Smart Robotics.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to work more closely with such a dynamic and innovative company," says Fred Verstraaten, Head of Technology at Vanderlande. "This is currently a very attractive growth market and we see strong strategic and cultural fit between our companies. However, both parties will continue their activities as normal. The investment is intended to accelerate developments and sharpen our focus in this advanced area."