AILOS Robotics has successfully raised €3.5 million (approximately $4 million) to advance the commercialization of its innovative R2poweR gearbox. This technology merges the agility of quasi-direct drives with high torque density, enabling the development of lighter and more energy-efficient robots. The Brussels-based company claims that the new gearbox will enhance the affordability and safety of robotic systems.
The R2poweR gearbox has been specifically designed for applications involving force- and power-limited robot arms, humanoids, and wearable robots such as exoskeletons and prosthetics. According to Pablo López García, co-founder and CEO of AILOS, “Modern robots require a new generation of actuators. 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.”
Transitioning from Research to Production
Founded in 2024 as a spin-off from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and its BruBotics research group, AILOS Robotics has dedicated over a decade to the research and development of R2poweR. The project has received support from the Flemish innovation and research office, VLAIO, and the Innoviris innovation accelerator.
The R2poweR gearbox features low backdrive resistance, allowing for safer interactions, while its high torque density is designed for heavily loaded joints. AILOS emphasizes that the technology’s design is both scalable and energy-efficient, making it suitable for large-scale production in Europe and the United States. With the recent funding, AILOS is poised to transition from laboratory research to industrial production and is actively seeking partnerships with robot manufacturers and investors in the European robotics sector.
Investment to Boost European Robotics
The funding round was led by QBIC and High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), with additional contributions from Wallonie Entreprendre and finance&invest.brussels. This investment is seen as a step towards strengthening Europe’s capabilities to locally produce critical hardware for the burgeoning human-centric robotics market.
Cédric Van Nevel, partner at QBIC, stated, “AILOS is addressing a critical bottleneck in humanoid and collaborative robotics, and the team possesses the right technology, intellectual property, and vision.” QBIC manages nearly €200 million (around $232.2 million) and focuses on seed and early-stage investments in various sectors, particularly those emerging from academic research.
Anne Umbach, an investment manager at HTGF, noted that AILOS has the potential to emerge as a leading technology company in Europe, thanks to its unique hardware innovations and strong team. HTGF has an extensive history of financing startups, having managed over €2 billion (approximately $2.3 billion) and completed more than 200 exits since its inception in 2005.
Additionally, finance&invest.brussels aims to support entrepreneurs within the Brussels Region through various financial aids, helping startups and small to medium-sized enterprises grow sustainably and inclusively.
As AILOS Robotics prepares to enter the industrial production phase, the advancements offered by the R2poweR gearbox could significantly impact the future of robotics, paving the way for more versatile, efficient, and safe robotic applications.
