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• Voith Robotics is established as a joint venture, with Voith holding a stake in Franka Emika;
• Voith Robotics to be a system supplier for robot-assisted automation solutions in the digital age;
• Lightweight robots will play a key role as intelligent assistants in many areas of work and everyday life, including production, logistics, healthcare and consumer goods;
• First appearance of Voith Robotics planned for Hannover Messe.
Part of the strategic partnership is the establishment of a new joint venture called Voith Robotics A Voith and Franka Emika Company. The company, with headquarters in Munich, is to become a global system supplier for robot-assisted automation in the digital age. Voith Robotics will offer self-teaching lightweight robots made by Franka Emika, along with software solutions, apps, services and process consulting, to customers in various industries and markets throughout the world.
As part of the strategic partnership Voith will also have a direct stake in Franka Emika, thus emphasizing the long-term and strategic commitment by the two companies to cooperation. Martin Scherrer, formerly a member of the Board of Management of Voith Paper, will be the new chief executive officer of Voith Robotics, which is to be managed by Voith.
The still very young market for collaborative robots, also called cobots, currently has a volume of some 300 million euros and is predicted by industry researchers to grow exponentially in the coming years. The global market volume is expected to come to about 15 billion euros by 2025. Franka Emika is a leading designer and developer of powerful, self-teaching and easy-to-use lightweight robots. They will make it possible for the first time to automate repetitive and often monotonous tasks like finely controlled fitting, screwing and joining, as well as testing, inspection and assembly.
In 2017, the team from Franka Emika received the German Award for Innovation in Science and Technology from President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for developing “Panda”, the first highly sensitive, self-teaching lightweight robot. In addition to being applied in industry, these robots may someday assist people in their everyday lives or help with tasks like elder care. The robot series “Panda”, in combination with robot apps and customized services, will be the future core products of Voith Robotics. The company will also offer platform- and manufacturer-independent robotics and automation solutions.
The new joint venture will be presented to the public for the first time at Hannover Messe.
“By bringing together a young company with its unique product portfolio and an experienced, family-owned and world-wide engaged company with a global network, we are creating a role model for Industry 4.0,” says Dr. Simon Haddadin, CEO of Franka Emika. “We will be able to offer customers throughout the world a combination of exceptional services and support, based on unique technologies.”
“Through its strategic partnership with Franka Emika, Voith has taken the logical next step in its digital agenda. We have defined robotics as a key competence and intend to add it to our existing portfolio,” says Stephan Schaller, President and CEO of Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA. “Franka Emika and Voith complement each other in an ideal manner by combining robotics, artificial intelligence and digital apps for users in various target markets with our know-how in automation and processes.”
About Voith
Voith (voith-robotics.com) is a global technology group. With its broad portfolio of systems, products, services and digital applications, Voith sets standards in the markets of energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transport & automotive. Founded in 1867, today Voith has more than 19,000 employees, sales of €4.2 billion and locations in over 60 countries worldwide, and is one of the largest family-owned companies in Europe.
About Franka Emika
Franka Emika’s vision (franka.de) is to develop lightweight robots that can be sold on the mass market and assist people as intelligent tools. The company is the world’s first provider of out-of-the-box, CE-certified robot solutions with a fully modular ultra-lightweight construction, highly integrated mechatronic design and the ability to perform skillful, sensitive manipulation. Panda is currently the fastest-selling robot system in the world. Franka World will go online this year, and the first international location was opened at the start of this year in Silicon Valley. Franka Emika is thus one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.
Presence at Hannover Messe:
• At the stand of Voith Digital Solutions: Hall 7 / Stand F16
• At the stand of Franka Emika: Hall 17 / Stand D24.
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lars.rosumek[.]voith.com 
