Combined innovative power: igus acquires majority stake in Commonplace Robotics
motion plastics from igus with intuitive software from Commonplace Robotics for simple solutions in automation
29 September 2022 – The motion plastics specialist igus® is expanding through investments in its Low-Cost Automation and has now acquired the majority shares in Commonplace Robotics based in Bissendorf near Osnabrück. As an integrator, Commonplace Robotics specializes in intuitive control systems and software and power electronics for robotics, both in industry and in education. The two companies have been cooperating intensively for six years. They have, among other things, developed the igus Robot Control, which supplements igus’ low-cost kinematics made from high-performance plastics.
Dr. Christian Meyer, who worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Automation at that time, founded the company Commonplace Robotics 11 years ago. The name says it all. Make the integration and operation of robots so cost-effective and easy that they become “commonplace” – meaning they can be used anywhere. The first products with a control system and proprietary power electronics were robots for teaching.
Dr. Meyer approached igus in 2016 because he found that igus robotic kinematics matched his vision of “commonplace” – cost-effective, simple, and suitable for the industry. Since then, the two companies have jointly developed products such as the iRC igus Robot Control, an actuator, and the ReBeL cobot. New developments can be quickly implemented thanks to the high level of vertical integration of Commonplace Robotics – from firmware and software to switch cabinet construction and circuit board assembly.
Driving Low-Cost Automation forward with increased innovative power
“Many customers are surprised that they can implement simple robot tasks in just 30 minutes without any programming knowledge,” says Frank Blase, CEO of igus GmbH. “We are very pleased that, following intensive collaboration over the last six years, an even more focused approach to Low-Cost Automation is now possible.”
With this acquisition, Commonplace Robotics and igus are combining their innovative strengths.
“We are looking forward to exciting technological projects with igus. The RBTX platform for low-cost robotics, operated by igus, brings new requirements from customers from all areas of the industry to our laboratories every day,” stated Dr. Meyer. “Much of this can be implemented quickly, especially as we expand with this investment.”
The latest product of the collaboration is the ReBeL cobot for €4,970, including the control system. The actuator, also available as an individual component, combines igus’ plastic know-how in the gearbox with the power electronics and software from Commonplace Robotics. With six axes, the ReBeL can handle a payload of up to two kilograms with a range of 664 millimeters with a net weight of just 8.2 kilograms.
Requests and orders come from traditional areas of applications such as quality control and pick and place applications in mechanical engineering. However, new areas of applications such as restaurant automation or urban farming are now becoming more frequent.
Interested parties can learn more and get a live demonstration of the innovations that have been developed together at Motek in Stuttgart (hall 7, booths 7320 and 7321) and SPS in Nuremberg (hall 4, booth 310).
