Fast-growing robotics entrepreneur ready to conquer the USD 3 bn. market
After 9 months in the robotics incubator on Funen, Odense Robotics StartUp Hub, Purple Robotics is ready to launch their first global announcement. A USD 3 bn. market lies before them and with a distribution deal and a sales executive onboard, the growth potential is clear to see. The former development team from Universal Robots is behind Purple Robotics and they are now ready to hatch yet another golden egg from the robotics nesting box on Funen.
“We have our sights set on an attractive market with sky-high growth rates. With our launch, we pass an important milestone in our development and this gives me the strong belief that we will keep fulfilling the ambitious goals we made for the company,” says Lasse Kieffer, CEO and founder of Purple Robotics.
“Our time in the Odense Robotics StartUp Hub has without a doubt kickstarted our development and is also the reason why it is of crucial importance that we launch so fast.”
It will be a world news item when Purple Robotics launch their new grip tool, PR10, which is to be attached to Universal Robot’s well-known robot arms. An innovative tool with a double grip function, it can handle several issues during a single operation, thusly lowering production time with up to 50 % for any given issue. The tool can be installed in less than 30 mins, which then reduces the changeover time between two productions.
Following the 9 months in the robotics incubator on Funen, where the PR10 was developed, tested, patented, and supply chain established, Purple Robotics are now ready to market launch and present the product at European industrial fairs this spring. To take on this responsibility and build a network of distributors, Purple Robotics have hired the field-renowned Kenneth B. Henrik as their new sales executive from 1 May.
“It feels great to see that yet another one of the companies from our robotics company nesting box accomplish so much in very little time. It is pivotal to the development of the robotics cluster on Funen that we succeed in creating optimal frames for the most talented entrepreneurs. We need to help golden eggs become golden birds, which in turn ensures that we can support the ambition of making the robotics environment on Funen the global leader within robotics development and application,” says Peter Rahbæk Juel, Mayor of Odense.
The first distribution deal has been landed
Purple Robotics have entered into a partnership agreement with their former employer, Universal Robots and introduced their PR10 vacuum gripper on Universal Robots’ online platform; Universal Robots+ (UR+). UR+ is a global distribution channel for customised robotics accessories, where in total more than 77 third party robotics developers, following tests and approval, now have access to share a particularly well-visited and high-in-demand sales channel at Universal Robots.
“Purple Robotics is a perfect example of why it is important to have effective accelerator programmes that can collect innovative spin-outs from robotics companies, e.g. like ours – to make sure they don’t disappear but instead get direction on their development and get help to enter the market quickly. With Purple Robotics’ innovative double-gripper, we are strengthening the range of groundbreaking accessories offered to customers and potential customers across the world – while increasing the market potential for our robot arms. It’s a win-win,” says Anders Bo Rasmussen, Senior Product Manager for UR+ at Universal Robots.
The global market for collaborative robots (cobots) is estimated, according to Qyresearch Publishing, at USD 3,3 bn in 2020 with the annual rates expected to hit 50%+. PR10 has the potential to be applied to the majority of cobots. With its clear advantages for SMVs, whose competitiveness depend largely on their ability for fast changeovers and delivery, the PR10 in combination with a robot arm is especially attractive for these companies.
The Odense Robotics StartUp Hub currently has 5 spots available for robotics and drone entrepreneurs with high growth potential. Since 2015, 10 robotics startups have passed through an accelerator course. In total 36 jobs have been created in this period, and capital and investments have been attracted for more than DKK 40 m.
Purple Robotics was acquired by OnRobot in August 2018 and is now a part of the company.