What EK Robotics does

EK Robotics, legally operating as NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH and headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, manufactures automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial intralogistics. Founded in 1964 (originally as e&k automation), the company has delivered more than 12,000 transport vehicles across 1,500+ installations worldwide, serving enterprise customers in automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, healthcare, textiles, aviation/defense, and general manufacturing. Its product portfolio centers on nine modular transport robot series (VARIO MOVE, COMPACT MOVE, HEAVY MOVE, MEDI MOVE, OUT MOVE, VNA MOVE, X MOVE, BHL MOVE, CUSTOM MOVE) ranging from compact units to 35-tonne heavy-load vehicles, complemented by the proprietary Transport Manager fleet control software and AMR Fleetmanager with hybrid laser navigation (±10mm accuracy at up to 2 m/s) and open interfaces (OPC UA, Siemens S7, SAP, REST API).

The company generates revenue through a direct enterprise sales model delivering turnkey driverless transport systems: hardware sales of AGV/AMR units, system integration and engineering services, on-premise software licensing, and lifecycle service/maintenance contracts that extend vehicle lifecycles to several decades. Pricing is quote-based and project-engineered; go-to-market is exclusively direct with no reseller channel. In August 2025, the company filed for provisional insolvency under self-administration amid challenging market conditions, and was subsequently acquired by NEURA Robotics GmbH, which is integrating ek robotics with its cognitive robotics, AI, and sensor technology portfolio. Operations continue across six global locations (Germany, Italy, Czech Republic, USA, China, Japan) with 300+ employees and a stated commitment to ongoing product development demonstrated at LogiMAT 2026.

Name

EK Robotics

Legal name

NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH

Website

https://ek-robotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

EK Robotics (NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH) manufactures automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots for industrial intralogistics. Serving enterprise manufacturers across automotive, pharma, food, healthcare, and heavy industry with turnkey transport systems, fleet software, and lifecycle services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Mobile Robots

NAICS

Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310)

SIC

Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Special Industry Machinery (No Metalworking Machinery) (3550)

akta.pro primary industry

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) & Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) (IMAHAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) & Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) (IMAHABAB), Motion & Machine Control (CNC, Robotics Controllers, Servo/Motion Controllers) (IMAGABAG), Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB), Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL)

Keywords

• Automated guided vehicles
• Autonomous mobile robots
• Intralogistics automation
• AGV fleet control
• Industrial material handling

Headquarters

HQ city

Sesto San Giovanni

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. AGV/AMR Hardware Sales: Sale of automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots including modular standard models (VARIO MOVE, COMPACT MOVE, HEAVY MOVE, MEDI MOVE, OUT MOVE, VNA MOVE, X MOVE, BHL MOVE, CUSTOM MOVE) and fully customized transport robots. Vehicles range from standard configurations to bespoke solutions handling up to 35 tonnes payload.
2. System Integration and Turnkey FTS Solutions: Design, engineering, simulation, integration, and commissioning of complete driverless transport systems (FTS/AGVS). Includes route planning, infrastructure setup, and system configuration tailored to customer transport requirements.
3. Transport Manager Software Licenses and Updates: On-premise AGV fleet control software licensing. Complete data sovereignty for customers with no recurring license fees for the core system. Optional modules including Blackbox analysis tool and Smart Analytics Reporting (SARA) app.
4. Lifecycle Service, Maintenance, and Retrofit: Holistic service across the entire plant lifecycle including performance analysis, spare parts, maintenance, and retrofit programs. Extended vehicle service life to several decades with proper maintenance.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

EK Robotics (operating as NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH) designs, manufactures, and integrates automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial intralogistics. The portfolio covers nine modular transport robot series with payloads ranging from standard loads to 35 tonnes, supported by the proprietary Transport Manager fleet control software. Solutions are delivered as turnkey projects including simulation, engineering, integration, commissioning, and lifecycle service for manufacturing, warehouse, healthcare, aviation, and other industrial customers.

Product overview

EK Robotics, operating as NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH, is a manufacturer and integrator of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for production and warehouse logistics. The product portfolio centers on nine modular transport robot series (BHL MOVE, COMPACT MOVE, CUSTOM MOVE, HEAVY MOVE, MEDI MOVE, OUT MOVE, VARIO MOVE, VNA MOVE, and X MOVE) designed for various load capacities from standard pallets to heavy loads up to 35 tonnes. The software ecosystem includes Transport Manager for AGV fleet control and AMR Fleetmanager for autonomous robot fleet management, both offering integration with ERP, MES, and WMS systems. Supporting services include material flow simulation using Tecnomatix Plant Simulation, consulting tools, battery management systems, safety technology, and Academy training. The company emphasizes Industry 4.0 integration, hybrid navigation technology, and modular solutions tailored to customer-specific requirements across automotive, pharmaceutical, logistics, and manufacturing industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Transport Manager: The company's proprietary AGV control system software that coordinates transport orders, plans optimal routes, and monitors vehicle fleets in real-time.
• VARIO MOVE
• X MOVE
• HEAVY MOVE
• CUSTOM MOVE
• COMPACT MOVE
• MEDI MOVE
• OUT MOVE
• VNA MOVE
• BHL MOVE

Products and services

• X MOVE Versatile AMR transport platform for block storage, assembly lines, and heavy load transport applications; available as X MOVE 1200 with fork attachments for intralogistics automation.
• BHL MOVE Forklift-type transport robot for handling pallets and standard load carriers in warehouse and production environments.
• COMPACT MOVE Compact AGV designed for space-efficient material transport in confined warehouse and production areas.
• CUSTOM MOVE Customized transport robot solution tailored to specific customer requirements and special applications, suitable for complex manufacturing environments including RITTAL and RHI Magnesita deployments.
• HEAVY MOVE Heavy load transport robot capable of handling loads up to 35 tonnes for industrial and manufacturing applications including refractory industry and press automation.
• MEDI MOVE Transport robot designed for hospital and healthcare logistics, providing automated material transport in medical facilities such as ATS Hospital Pistoia.
• OUT MOVE Outdoor AGV system designed for outdoor transport applications and external logistics operations.
• VARIO MOVE Modular transport robot for optimization of transport and material flows, featuring a modular design for various applications including injection molding automation as deployed at sinit Group.
• VNA MOVE Narrow aisle transport robot designed for high-bay storage systems and narrow aisle warehouse operations, including Duracell Logistics Brussels deployment.
• Transport Manager Proprietary AGV fleet control system that coordinates all transport orders, plans optimal routes, and monitors the entire vehicle fleet in real time, with modular architecture, intelligent algorithms for traffic and charge management, and open interfaces (OPC UA, TCP-IP, WebSocket, Siemens S7, Modbus, SAP) for ERP, MES, and WMS integration. Deployed on-premise for complete data sovereignty.
• AMR Fleetmanager Fleet management software for autonomous mobile robots with over 3 million production hours of operation, featuring intuitive smartphone/tablet/PC interface, dynamic map generation, automated traffic monitoring, intelligent order planning, and OPC UA and REST API interfaces.
• Material Flow Simulation Dynamic simulation service for material flows using Tecnomatix Plant Simulation software, enabling feasibility studies, bottleneck identification, and virtual commissioning with 90%+ accuracy compared to real results.
• Academy Training Training programs for AGV technology enabling customers to independently create and modify AGV systems, covering flexible guide path design, material flow control, system parameterization, and modification.
• AGV Performance Analysis Performance analysis service to optimize existing AGV installations and ensure long-term efficiency of intralogistics solutions, part of holistic lifecycle service across the entire plant lifespan.
• Intralogistics Consulting Customized consulting for intralogistics optimization including performance validation, concept comparisons, buffer sizing optimization, transport strategy development, layout concept validation, and vehicle number optimization.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,500 FTS/AGV installations implemented worldwide
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

AI capability6 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NEURA Robotics GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEURA Robotics GmbH, a German deep-tech robotics startup founded in 2019 and headquartered in Metzingen, acquired ek robotics. NEURA Robotics develops humanoid and other robots with onboard AI software and acquired ek robotics as part of its expansion into mobile robotics. ek robotics now operates as NEURA Mobile Robots GmbH under the brand 'ek robotics – a NEURA brand'. The combination leverages NEURA Robotics' cognitive robotics, AI, and sensor technology expertise with ek robotics' 60 years of mobile transport robotics experience.
• SICK AGcoreTechnology or IntegrationSICK AG is a key technology partner supplying laser safety scanners used in EK Robotics' AGV systems. SICK safety scanners enable adjustable warning and protected fields, predictive warning fields for gentle braking, and 3D obstacle detection capabilities across the transport robot fleet.
• SchaefflerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchaeffler, a German auto supplier, has established a partnership with NEURA Robotics (the parent company of ek robotics). The partnership involves collaboration on robotics technology development, leveraging Schaeffler's manufacturing and precision engineering capabilities.
• VodafoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVodafone has partnered with NEURA Robotics (parent company of ek robotics) on 5G connectivity for robotics applications, enabling enhanced communication and data exchange capabilities in industrial robotics deployments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Geek+: China-headquartered AMR vendor with global deployments in warehousing and manufacturing. Competes with ek robotics in warehouse picking, sortation, and material movement with a software-led, fast-deploy model targeting similar enterprise customers.
• OTTO Motors (Clearpath Robotics): Canadian AMR vendor (owned by Rockwell Automation) specializing in heavy-payload autonomous mobile robots for manufacturing and warehouse environments. Closest peer to ek robotics' HEAVY MOVE and CUSTOM MOVE product lines, particularly in automotive and industrial verticals.
• Fetch Robotics (Zebra Technologies): Zebra Technologies-owned AMR vendor offering cloud-managed autonomous mobile robots for warehouse picking and material handling in manufacturing. Competes with ek robotics in light-to-medium payload AMR deployments with a SaaS-oriented delivery model.

Direct peers

• Dematic: KION-owned global supplier of integrated automated supply chain solutions, including AGV/AMR systems for warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution. Directly comparable to ek robotics in turnkey intralogistics deployments with deep customer overlap.
• Knapp AG: Austrian warehouse logistics specialist offering AGV-based shuttle and transport systems (including Open Shuttle and iGo) for distribution and manufacturing. Direct competitor to ek robotics in European warehouse and production intralogistics deployments.
• Swisslog: KUKA-owned warehouse automation specialist offering AGV/AMR systems (including ClickPick and Carry) for distribution centers and manufacturing. Directly competes with ek robotics in automated intralogistics for warehouse and production environments.
• Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR): Teradyne-owned developer of autonomous mobile robots for internal transport in manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Competes head-to-head with ek robotics' AMR Fleetmanager and X MOVE platforms in light-to-medium payload warehouse and production applications.
• Jungheinrich AG: Hamburg-headquartered global intralogistics competitor offering forklifts, warehouse equipment, and an expanding portfolio of AGV/AMR systems. Direct overlap with ek robotics in European manufacturing and warehouse automation, particularly through its automated and driverless transport solutions.

Broad incumbents

• KUKA AG: German industrial robotics incumbent (owned by Midea) with broad automation portfolio including robots, controllers, and the Swisslog warehouse division. Competes with ek robotics through both its own AGV capabilities and its Swisslog subsidiary, but at much larger scale and broader scope.
• SSI Schaefer: Global intralogistics incumbent offering warehouse automation including AGV-based transport systems alongside racking, conveyor, and WMS software. Overlaps with ek robotics in turnkey warehouse automation projects for large industrial customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBKghU85mq2fYEwXwFF0qAA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ek-automation-italia

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 EK Robotics