AILOS Robotics has just raised €3.5 million to scale its production of the R2poweR gearbox. This gearbox isn't just another robotic component, it’s a breakthrough designed to address the persistent challenges of weight, cost, and efficiency in robotics. Coming from someone bootstrapping startups, I know how game-changing even the smallest innovations can be for a new business. But this isn’t a small innovation.
Based in Brussels, AILOS started as a spin-off from Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s BruBotics research center and spent a decade perfecting its gearbox technology. Now, they're ready to move from lab experiments to industrial-scale production. The goal is to enable Europe’s humanoid and collaborative robots to truly interact safely and efficiently with humans. For entrepreneurs in tech (especially those tackling hardware), AILOS' journey offers valuable lessons.
Key Technology Insights
AILOS’ R2poweR gearbox is at the heart of their mission. Unlike traditional robotic gearboxes, this technology pairs high torque density with low backdrive torque. Here’s what that means, practically speaking:
- High torque density lets robots handle heavy physical interaction without being bulky or heavy themselves.
- Low backdrive torque ensures smooth interactions, so a robot can physically react to touch or force without harming people around it.
The gearbox is designed for robots that are supposed to cooperate with humans, like cobots, prosthetic devices, and even exoskeletons. It makes robotic motion feel natural. If you've ever tested hardware in biotech or robotics, you know how rare and important that kind of breakthrough can be, not just for efficiency but also scaling production.
Funding Breakdown and Impact
AILOS Robotics’ funding round was supported by a mix of Belgian and German investors, including QBIC, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), and finance&invest.brussels. These aren’t just financial backers; they focus on early-stage tech with industrial potential, which aligns perfectly with AILOS’ needs.
The aim for this €3.5 million? Transitioning from small-batch production to scaling up output. In startup terms, that’s moving from proof-of-concept to real-world execution. Think setting up customized supply chains, piloting the technology with OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), and hiring the right people to ensure production lines meet demand. It’s the stuff I’ve had to learn when scaling my own projects, but scaled to industrial hardware’s challenges. For AILOS, their focus is not just profitability but ensuring Europe’s robotics manufacturers aren’t dependent on imported gearboxes, a strategic move in a market often dominated by non-EU suppliers.
Lessons For Female Entrepreneurs
As a woman in tech, I can’t help but notice the broader significance of what AILOS is doing in Europe. It’s about reclaiming manufacturing independence, but it’s also more personal. Robotics presents a growing opportunity for founders, yet it’s massively underexplored by women entrepreneurs. And funding rounds for female-led or female-impacted ventures in hard tech are rare. Here’s what you might take away from AILOS’ trajectory:
1. Bootstrap Until You’ve Nailed Your MVP
AILOS spent 10 years in research supported by academic grants. If you’re in Europe, there’s likely a range of national or EU-level funding opportunities for early experiments. Platforms like Innoviris in Brussels or VLAIO in Flanders are excellent first steps.
2. Know When To Take Investors On Board
The team waited to perfect their prototype before raising their seed round. For founders using deep tech, scaling only makes sense when your product is market-ready or you’ve refined your minimum viable prototype. Hurrying this step often leads to waste or burns out early support.
3. Partner Smartly
AILOS’ investor list highlights the importance of aligning backers with your market. Both QBIC and HTGF have specific mandates to boost European robotics and industrial progress. More importantly, they bring networks, and any founder dealing in hardware knows how crucial supply chain connections are.
What To Avoid?
AILOS’ success provides hints about the common pitfalls many founders face in robotics, or industrial sectors more generally.
- Over-relying on R&D funding indefinitely. Academic grants dry up quickly unless you have commercialization targets in clear sight.
- Underestimating production scaling timelines. Manufacturing complex tech isn’t just capex-heavy; it requires navigating international procurement, possible intellectual property conflicts, and prototype-to-production adjustments.
- Neglecting the community angle. Investors chose this company not only because of its patent or team but also its ability to fill a gap in Europe’s strategy for local robotic actuators. Being part of the "bigger mission" often makes or breaks credibility.
Deep Insight: The Industrial Hardware Scene In Europe
AILOS Robotics is entering the market at a crucial time. As European industries push toward autonomous technologies for healthcare, assembly lines, and defense, there’s a clear need for localized supply chains. Import dependencies, especially from Asia, have shown vulnerabilities, particularly during crises like the 2020-2021 disruptions. Countries like Germany, France, and Belgium are prioritizing startups that address this issue in robotics, AI, and renewable energy.
For entrepreneurs considering hardware, I suggest focusing on products like sensors, actuation systems, or energy storage, the bones of new technology revolutions. These remain underdeveloped areas where niche players can excel faster than larger, sluggish corporations.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re an entrepreneur in Europe considering a move into hardware or robotics:
- Get involved in research centers. Universities like Vrije Universiteit Brussel or platforms similar to BruBotics often offer collaboration opportunities for startups.
- Scout for specialized investment funds. Look into firms supporting industrial growth; for example, High-Tech Gründerfonds specifically targets deep-tech early-stage ventures.
- Understand what’s missing. As AILOS did, look at market bottlenecks, what gaps prevent larger advances and how can your tech bridge one critical issue effectively?
AILOS Robotics is scaling not just its gearboxes but its vision of what manufacturing in Europe could and should look like. For women navigating similar waters, their story sends a simple but potent message: persistence in deep research pays off, especially when paired with ambitious partners who see the future the same way you do. Whether you’re building smart software or hard tech, Europe’s ecosystem has room for us. Let’s take it.
For more about AILOS’ gearbox tech or its funding round, visit their official site or dive into deeper details on resources like Tech.eu.
FAQ
1. What is AILOS Robotics and what do they specialize in?
AILOS Robotics is a Brussels-based startup specializing in the development of highly efficient robotic gearboxes, specifically their patented R2poweR technology. This technology is tailored for collaborative robots, exoskeletons, humanoids, and prosthetics. Learn more about AILOS Robotics
2. How much funding did AILOS Robotics secure and for what purpose?
AILOS Robotics secured €3.5 million in seed funding to scale up the production of its R2poweR gearbox. This funding will help transition from research prototypes to industrial manufacturing. Read more about AILOS’ funding
3. What are the main features of the R2poweR gearbox?
The R2poweR gearbox features high torque density for handling heavy tasks and low backdrive torque for safe, human-friendly interactions. This combination allows robots to be lighter, safer, and more efficient. Understand the R2poweR technology
4. Which investors supported AILOS Robotics’ funding round?
AILOS Robotics received investments from QBIC, High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), Wallonie Entreprendre, and finance&invest.brussels. These investors focus on deep-tech projects with industrial potential. Learn about the investors
5. What industries can benefit from AILOS Robotics’ technology?
Industries like healthcare, manufacturing, defense, and personal robotics see potential benefits from the R2poweR gearbox due to its safety, efficiency, and adaptability for human-robot collaboration. Explore relevant applications
6. What motivated the development of the R2poweR gearbox?
AILOS Robotics aimed to solve bottlenecks in robotic actuators, addressing issues such as weight, energy inefficiency, and safety for collaborative robots. Discover the story behind R2poweR
7. How long did it take AILOS Robotics to develop its technology?
AILOS Robotics spent over a decade refining its gearbox technology through research at Vrije Universiteit Brussel’s BruBotics research center. Learn about AILOS’ research origins
8. What is the significance of AILOS’ work for Europe?
By developing localized manufacturing for robotic gearboxes, AILOS reduces Europe’s reliance on imports and strengthens its position in the global robotics supply chain. Read about Europe’s robotics strategy
9. Who are the key team members behind AILOS Robotics?
The founding team includes experts from various fields, such as robotics engineering, automotive management, and research into human-centric robotics. Meet the AILOS team
10. What are AILOS Robotics’ next steps after this funding round?
AILOS plans to begin scaling production, engage in pilot projects with manufacturers, and establish localized supply chains to meet demand. Learn about AILOS’ roadmap
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
