Latest news with #GermanBionic
The National
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The National
Gitex Europe: The exoskeleton suits that give wearer 'the strength of a robot'
Robotic exoskeleton suits that give manual labourers extra strength could be about to transform the workplace. The power suits, designed by the European firm German Bionic, were among the main attractions on the second day of the technology exhibition Gitex Europe in Berlin. The Apogee wearable tool, which has the appearance of a robotic vest, is already being used in factories, hospitals and production lines, where it is being used for a variety of tasks including changing tyres in car garages and easing the load of baggage handlers at Stuttgart Airport. The company behind the device hopes that its success in Europe will soon be replicated in the UAE. The firm is looking to build new partnerships with Dubai investors and take the robotic vests into the Middle East. Devices lift up to 36kg, providing "an intelligent link between humans and machines", as it learns each wearer's behaviours and walking patterns to improve performance. The Apogee is the sixth generation of the vest, with German Bionic's chief product officer Norma Steller expecting the device to continue to improve. 'The purpose of the device is that it augments the human body in a way that gives you additional strength and power when you're lifting, when you're walking, or also when you're forward bending,' Ms Steller told The National in Berlin. 'In most cases, it is compensating the whole weight of anything that has to be handled. In Europe, most cargo is still moved on the road by lorries and the unloading and loading is still manual work. The exoskeleton will help and compensate those stress moments.' Initial prototypes weighed 12kg, but the latest model on show at Gitex had its weight cut to just 7kg. The strength is provided by two electric robotic weight engines, with rechargeable power banks providing around four hours of battery life. Devices cost around Dh290,000, but can be rented for around D1,250 a month. Rather than robots replacing workers, the devices allow an existing workforce to maximise their output, Ms Steller added. 'You still have a human worker with the creativity, problem-solving skills and technical experience, but with the strength of a robot,' she said. Company investors include Storm Ventures, Benhamou Global Ventures and MIG Capital, an early investor into BioNTech that developed a vaccine for Covid-19. In 2023, the device won a German Entrepreneur Award for innovation in an industry that has grown considerably in the last decade. Driven by an increasing need for rehabilitation technology and workplace safety, manufacturing and health care have been the industries to see the greatest expansion. That looks set to continue, with a forecast by industry analysts at Fortune Business Insights suggesting the global market for wearable robotic exoskeletons will reach $30.56 billion by 2032. In 2023, the US army trialled a robotic exoskeleton to help soldiers carry heavy loads into the battlefield, and to help load howitzer shells. Troops from the 1-78 Field Artillery Battalion tested the futuristic suits to improve strength and endurance during combat. At a Gitex panel on humanoid and human-centric robots, Pawel Mroczkowski, executive director of DBR77 Robotics said Europe was currently lagging behind the US in bringing robots into industry. 'In Europe, we need a new way of approaching the development speed for humanoids and human-centred robotics,' he said. 'We know how robots and their applications will impact our companies for the next two or three years, but investors need to take a deeper jump into this industry.' Since its inaugural event in Dubai in 1981, Gitex has expanded to host events in technology, business and health care in Africa, Asia and now Europe. On the opening day of the event on Wednesday, Alia Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, hoped the three-day show would attract further investment into UAE tech companies.
Globe and Mail
15-04-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
KULR Expands into High-Growth Robotics Market with German Bionic AI-Powered Exoskeletons for U.S. Workforce
HOUSTON, April 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KULR Technology Group, Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) (the "Company" or "KULR"), a leader in advanced energy management platforms, today announced the launch of a new strategic partnership with German Bionic ('GB'), a leading global robotics company known for its groundbreaking robotic exoskeleton, Apogee ULTRA, to expand into the rapidly growing fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. GB counts global logistics companies, large retailers, hospitals, and major international airports among its customers, including Dachser Intelligent Logistics, GXO, Nuremberg Airport, Canadian Tire, the British consumer electronics retailer Currys, and the Charité Hospital Berlin. According to Spherical Insights, the global wearable robotic exoskeleton market size is expected to reach $41.5 billion by 2033. The initiative includes the formation of a dedicated business unit, KULR AI & Robotics, aimed at driving innovation and commercialization of affordable and mature robotic solutions to support the US workforce and reshoring of manufacturing. During their EOY and Q4 earnings call, KULR also announced that their website has been updated and relaunched as to reflect this shift and the introduction of the new business unit. The new unit will be led by Josh Steinmann, VP of AI and Robotics. 'This partnership exemplifies our broader strategy to leverage our energy management expertise and become a key enabler of the robotics and AI ecosystem, as these applications demand higher battery performance and more efficient thermal management for their high-performance electronics,' said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology Group. 'AI is a critical enabler of robotics, and we're aggressively focused on this area – through this partnership and other strategic initiatives – to help shape the future of human-machine interface.' 'We are pleased to have KULR as a key partner, joining us in the journey to scale and deliver the world's strongest data-driven exoskeletons to North America and beyond,' says Armin G. Schmidt, Founder and CEO of German Bionic. 'At the core of our innovation is a clear understanding of energy as a fundamental force – something unseen yet essential in driving both progress and human advancement. Our exoskeletons are designed to empower and elevate frontline workers, unlocking their full potential each day. This partnership is the natural unfolding of our mission to infuse the world with greater value, vitality, and purpose.' The sixth-generation Apogee ULTRA is a proven, in-market solution engineered for large-scale deployment. Apogee ULTRA and anticipated future generations of the exoskeleton can enhance human energy output significantly and materially reduce workplace injuries, driving outsized returns on investment, employee satisfaction and retention, and reduced healthcare costs. This technology has demonstrated success across multiple sectors, including delivery logistics, supply chain solutions, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. Key elements of the partnership include a collaborative technology effort to further enhance the capabilities of Apogee ULTRA, the world's most powerful exoskeleton, focused on performance improvements, AI integration, and increased user adaptability. KULR will also hold exclusive marketing and distribution rights for North America, establishing the Company as the primary provider of GB's products spanning all industries. KULR's expansion into this sector aligns with US strategic priorities to expand domestic manufacturing and industry. The Company aims to become a key player in the next generation of AI-powered, human-centered robotic technologies serving delivery logistics, supply chain solutions, manufacturing, construction, and healthcare. Looking ahead, KULR plans to localize the manufacturing and assembly of future generation exoskeletons within the United States, supporting domestic supply chain resilience, reducing lead times, and enhancing scalability for widespread adoption. About KULR Technology Group Inc. KULR Technology Group Inc. (NYSE American: KULR) delivers cutting-edge energy storage solutions for space, aerospace, and defense by leveraging a foundation of in-house battery design expertise, comprehensive cell and battery testing suite, and battery fabrication and production capabilities. The Company's holistic offering allows the delivery of commercial off-the-shelf and custom next-generation energy storage systems in rapid timelines for a fraction of the cost compared to traditional programs. On December 4, 2024, KULR announced that its Board of Directors has agreed to include bitcoin as a primary asset in its treasury program and committed to allocating up to 90% of its surplus cash to the acquisition of bitcoin. For more information, please visit About German Bionic German Bionic is a global robotics firm that develops and manufactures smart power suits and other wearable technologies. It was the world's first company to deliver connected exoskeletons for the workplace, applying self-learning and artificial intelligence to support lifting movements and prevent poor posture, and thereby becoming an intelligent link between humans and machines. The German Bionic smart power suits and wearables protect the health of workers and markedly reduce the risk of accidents and injury to improve work processes. In recognition of this innovative technology, which puts people back at the center of Industry 5.0, German Bionic has received numerous awards including the CES 'Best of Innovation' Award, the Fast Company 'Innovation by Design Award', and the 'Innovation Champion' Award of the European Investment Bank. German Bionic is headquartered in Germany and the US, with offices in Berlin, Augsburg, Boston and Tokyo. For more information, visit: A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
