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Christian Meyer, CEO of Commonplace Robotics (left), and igus CEO Frank Blase. Credit: igus

Germany motion plastics specialist igus has acquired a majority stake in Commonplace Robotics. Based in Bissendorf, Germany, Commonplace Robotics specializes in intuitive control systems and software and power electronics for robotics, both in industry and in education. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.

igus and Commonplace Robotics have worked together for six years, developing the iRC igus Robot Control, an actuator, and the ReBeL cobot. With this acquisition, Commonplace Robotics and igus are combining their innovative strengths.

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.

“Many customers are surprised that they can implement simple robot tasks in just 30 minutes without any programming knowledge,” said Frank Blase, CEO, 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.”

Dr. Christian Meyer, who previously worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Engineering and Automation, founded Commonplace Robotics 11 years ago.

“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.”

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.

Our sister publication Design World recently interviewed Artur Peplinski, igus North America’s President & CEO, during a manufacturing facility in East Providence, R.I. Peplinski spoke about the company’s grand vision for the North American market — which will add more manufacturing prowess here in the States, complementing the parent company’s massive global headquarters in Cologne, Germany. You can read that interview here.