The roots of Franka Robotics GmbH date back to 2016, when the company was founded in Munich under the name Franka Emika. Among its key figures is robotics researcher Sami Haddadin, who pursued the vision of bringing robots closer to people and making them more intuitive to use. Early on, the company focused on collaborative lightweight robots with particularly sensitive force control—a technology that enables safe interaction between humans and machines.

After a period of strong growth, Franka Emika was acquired in 2023 by its Munich-based counterpart Agile Robots SE and strategically realigned. As part of this process, the company was also renamed Franka Robotics GmbH. Integration into the new corporate structure is intended to strengthen research, product development, and international expansion in particular.

Technologically, Franka Robotics pursues a clear approach: combining robotics and artificial intelligence into so-called “embodied AI” systems. The goal is not only to implement AI in software but also to enable it to physically interact with the real world through robotic systems. The platforms developed for this purpose—such as the “Franka Research 3” research robot—are characterized by high sensitivity, intuitive usability, and open access for developers.

At the core is a modular robotics platform that combines hardware, software, and a growing ecosystem. This enables research institutions and industrial companies to develop, test, and scale applications more quickly. At the same time, the company is advancing the idea of establishing robotics as an accessible key technology for a wide range of industries—from science to industrial automation.

At HANNOVER MESSE 2026, Franka Robotics will present its latest developments to an international audience of industry professionals. The focus will be on platform solutions for AI-powered robotics as well as applications that further simplify and enhance the productivity of human-robot collaboration.

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