What NODE Robotics does

NODE Robotics GmbH is a Stuttgart-based (Germany) private company founded in 2020 that develops NODE.OS, a modular, hardware-agnostic software platform for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The platform is built on ROS middleware and comprises a suite of modules covering real-time localization (NODE.localize via Live SLAM), hybrid navigation (NODE.move), fleet-wide map synchronization (NODE.maps), traffic coordination (NODE.flow), task dispatching (NODE.jobs with a low-code/visual editor), fleet analytics (NODE.analytics), and real-time tracking of manual vehicles (NODE.tracking). The technology supports multiple robot kinematics (tricycle, differential, omnidirectional), integrates with ERP/WMS systems, and is compliant with the VDA 5050 fleet-management standard.

The company serves two primary customer segments: mobile robot OEMs that license NODE.OS to embed autonomy and fleet management into their products, and end-user operators in warehouse and production intralogistics seeking plug-and-play deployment. NODE also sells two complete mobile robots (NODE Jacky15 for pallet transport and NODE Forky15 for pallet transport, storage, and retrieval) targeted at fast-deployment warehouse and production environments. Customer logos include idealworks, BLEICHERT Automation, SHERPA Mobile Robotics, Melkus Mechatronic, Bottobo Robotics, and Tugbot.

Commercial mechanics combine one-time perpetual licenses (with optional maintenance), recurring subscriptions (monthly/quarterly/annual) that include updates, and professional services for integration. Distribution is mixed: direct enterprise sales with on-site demonstrations including an Experience Package for proof-of-concept, OEM software licensing for embedded deployment, and joint go-to-market with technology partners such as Advantech and Orbbec. The company has issued 1,750+ software licenses across 50+ robot types and 25+ productive customer sites, was spun from research originating at Fraunhofer IPA, and has raised funding across 2021, 2022, and a 2025 Series 2 led by Momenta Ventures, alongside earlier investors FTTF, Plug and Play, and Schauenburg Ventures.

Name

NODE Robotics

Legal name

NODE Robotics GmbH

Website

https://node-robotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NODE Robotics develops modular ROS-based autonomy and fleet-management software (NODE.OS) that powers autonomous mobile robots and automated guided vehicles in warehouse and production intralogistics, serving both mobile robot OEMs and end-user operators across DACH and Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mobile Robotics Software

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (33331)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA)

Keywords

• Mobile robotics software
• Autonomous mobile robots
• Fleet management software
• Warehouse automation
• Robot operating system

Headquarters

HQ city

Stuttgart

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses (Perpetual): One-time perpetual license purchase for NODE.OS software. Customers own the license indefinitely with updates and support for a limited time (typically one year) included. After that period, customers can opt for maintenance contracts.
2. Software Licenses (Subscription): Recurring subscription model providing ongoing access to NODE.OS with automatic updates and some new features included. Offers flexibility for customers to cancel and switch vendors without large upfront investment. Particularly suited for rapidly evolving robotics technology.
3. Professional Services: Integration services, software engineering support, and on-site assistance for customers requiring help with deployment, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of NODE.OS solutions.
4. Complete Mobile Robots: Sale of complete mobile robot solutions including NODE Jacky15 (autonomous pallet transport) and NODE Forky15 (pallet transport, storage, and retrieval). These are affordable mobile robots built for fast deployment in warehouse and production environments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

NODE Robotics develops and licenses NODE.OS, a modular, hardware-agnostic software platform for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that combines localization, hybrid navigation, fleet coordination, and analytics. The company also sells complete mobile robots (NODE Forky15 and NODE Jacky15) for pallet transport, and offers NODE.tracking, a real-time localization system for forklifts and tugger trains. Solutions are sold via perpetual or subscription software licenses, OEM embedded licensing, and direct robot sales to industrial intralogistics customers.

Product overview

NODE Robotics is a mobile robotics software company based in Stuttgart, Germany, offering a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core offerings consist of three solution areas: NODE Robot Solutions (complete mobile robots including NODE Forky15 and NODE Jacky15 for pallet transport), NODE.OS (the central software platform powering autonomous behavior, hybrid navigation, and fleet coordination with modular components including NODE.localize, NODE.move, NODE.maps, NODE.flow, NODE.jobs, and NODE.analytics), and NODE.tracking (real-time tracking for manual vehicles). All solutions are designed for fast deployment, intuitive operation, and practical adaptation in daily intralogistics use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• NODE Robot Solutions: Complete mobile robots for pallet transport in warehouse and production environments.
• NODE.OS
• NODE.tracking
• NODE.localize
• NODE.move
• NODE.maps
• NODE.flow
• NODE.jobs
• NODE.analytics
• NODE Forky15
• NODE Jacky15

Products and services

• NODE Robot Solutions Complete mobile robot product line for practical pallet transport in warehouse and production environments, built for fast deployment, easy operation, and fast ROI without requiring specialist robotics expertise. Encompasses the NODE Forky15 and NODE Jacky15 robots.
• NODE Forky15 Affordable complete mobile robot for automating pallet transport, storage, and retrieval in industrial environments, powered by NODE.OS software.
• NODE Jacky15 Complete mobile robot for fast and flexible autonomous pallet transport in industrial environments, powered by NODE.OS software.
• NODE.OS Modular software platform providing autonomous mobile robot behavior, hybrid navigation, and fleet coordination. Combines localization, hybrid navigation, fleet coordination, and an intuitive user interface in one modular software stack, and is in daily productive use on more than 1,750 mobile robots worldwide.
• NODE.tracking Real-time tracking system for forklifts, tugger trains, and mixed fleets that extends digital visibility beyond autonomous robots and brings all vehicles onto one shared operational map.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,750+ mobile robots using NODE software worldwide
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• idealworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding strategic partnership. NODE Robotics and idealworks collaborate on robotics ecosystem development, with roots tracing back to Stefan Dörr-Laukien's tenure at Fraunhofer IPA. The partnership combines expertise to advance the idealworks robotics ecosystem approach.
• AdvantechcoreTechnology or IntegrationJoint AMR technology stack combining Advantech's AMR-S100 NVIDIA Orin AGX embedded computing platform with NODE.OS software. Partners present coordinated hardware-software solutions at events like LogiMAT and automatica. NODE.OS is specifically adapted to Advantech's compute platform for optimal performance.
• OrbbeccoreTechnology or Integration3D vision technology partnership. Orbbec provides perception layer (stereo vision, structured light, iTOF, dTOF LiDAR cameras) that integrates with NODE.OS for spatial awareness in dynamic industrial environments. Joint webinar and event participation.
• BLEICHERT AutomationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrusted customer and development partner. BLEICHERT works with NODE Robotics on future developments in automation, viewing NODE not just as a supplier but as a competent development partner.
• SHERPA Mobile RoboticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration on mobile robotics solutions. SHERPA has been impressed by the efficiency and transparency of working with NODE Robotics from initial discussions through joint project delivery.
• Bottobo RoboticsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware solution customer. Bottobo tested multiple software solutions before selecting NODE.OS, citing impressive performance, repeatability, and quick deployment capabilities.
• Melkus MechatronicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative partnership for integrating NODE.OS into Melkus's G.130 2.0 robot for operation in dynamic warehouse environments.
• TugbotminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoftware customer citing NODE.OS as having all desired features combining performance and repeatability with ease of use.
• ROS (Robot Operating System) CommunitycoreTechnology or IntegrationNODE.OS is built on ROS middleware. NODE participates in the ROS community by developing open-source packages, receiving community feedback, and contributing to the ecosystem.
• Fraunhofer IPAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNODE Robotics originated from Fraunhofer IPA, with founder Stefan Dörr-Laukien bringing expertise from Europe's leading robotics research powerhouse. The company leverages this inherited legacy while building independently.
• ARENA2036minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNODE Robotics is a member of ARENA2036, an innovation platform for cooperation between science and industry focused on future production. NODE uses ARENA2036 as open coworking space and test environment for their robot fleet.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• idealworks: BMW-spinout AMR and fleet management provider based in Munich; comparable because it sells both mobile robots and a fleet/control software stack targeting intralogistics, and is both a customer/partner and adjacent competitor to NODE Robotics.
• Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR): Denmark-based AMR vendor (now part of Teradyne) selling autonomous mobile robots for warehouse and production intralogistics with proprietary navigation software; directly comparable to NODE's AMR + software stack.
• Fetch Robotics: AMR and cloud-based fleet management platform (now part of Zebra Technologies) serving warehouse and manufacturing logistics; comparable as an integrated AMR + software platform targeting the same end customers as NODE.
• Locus Robotics: Warehouse AMR provider whose LocusOne platform combines robot fleet management with warehouse execution software; comparable because it sells autonomous robots paired with fleet management and analytics software to enterprise intralogistics buyers.
• Geek+: Global AMR vendor offering mobile robots and fleet management software for warehousing and production supply; directly comparable to NODE's combined hardware + software offering in the same AMR/intralogistics segment.
• SHERPA Mobile Robotics: European AMR manufacturer using NODE.OS; comparable as a direct AMR competitor and existing NODE customer/partner with overlapping warehouse and production logistics use cases.
• Vecna Robotics: AMR provider with its own autonomy, fleet management, and orchestration software for material handling workflows; comparable to NODE as a software-led AMR platform serving manufacturing and warehouse customers.
• Otto Motors: Manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for industrial material handling, paired with a fleet management platform; directly comparable to NODE's pallet-transport AMRs and fleet software.

Broad incumbents

• SICK AG: Large industrial sensor and automation supplier whose LiDAR, safety scanners, and AMR integration solutions compete in the same warehouse robotics stack; comparable as a broader incumbent with overlapping sensor and fleet management capabilities.
• KUKA: Major industrial robotics and automation company offering AMRs, AGVs, and integrated fleet software for production logistics; comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping autonomous navigation and fleet coordination offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/node-robotics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors4 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about NODE Robotics