XELA Robotics
XELA Robotics develops 3-axis magnetic tactile sensors (uSkin) and processing software (uAi) that give industrial and humanoid robots a human-like sense of touch for grasping, insertion, and dexterous manipulation, selling hardware, software, and custom integration services to manufacturers, robotics OEMs, and academic researchers globally.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersTokyo, Japan
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What XELA Robotics does
XELA Robotics Co., Ltd. is a Tokyo-based private company founded in August 2018 as a spin-out from Waseda University that develops tactile sensing systems for robots. Its core offering combines the uSkin family of high-density 3-axis magnetic tactile sensors (patch, protected, and curved variants) with the uAi software platform, which calibrates raw force data into Newton measurements, detects contacts, and supports slip detection, grasp-success prediction, and automatic weight/hardness inference. The system measures pressure and shear forces at up to 0.1 gram-force resolution and is supported by three granted patents covering force calibration, magnetic interference compensation, and temperature drift compensation.
XELA sells across three revenue streams: hardware (uSkin sensors sold as modules or pre-integrated into third-party robot hands and grippers from Wonik Robotics, Robotiq, Tesollo, Weiss Robotics, and Carnegie Mellon's LEAP Hand), software (uAi with a freemium model where individual calibration and advanced features are paid add-ons), and custom integration services for non-standard robot geometries. Go-to-market is a hybrid of direct enterprise quotation-based sales, OEM-embedded distribution, and intensive global exhibition participation (CES, ICRA, RoboDEX, Automate, Robotics Summit, Computex). The company serves 170+ clients across factory automation, warehousing/logistics, agriculture, research/academia, and humanoid robotics, with named enterprise customers including Denso, Samsung, Hitachi, Honda, Omron, Sanctuary AI, Agile Robots, and Tokyo Robotics.
The company raised a 7-digit USD angel round from FSR Angel 1 LPS (FIVESTAR Capital Partners) in November 2024, added a strategic investment from Plug and Play in April 2026, and received follow-on backing from FSR Angel 1 LPS in May 2026 to fund global expansion. Operational scale remains small at 1-10 employees as of the latest reporting, with leadership comprising the three academic co-founders, a senior Waseda-affiliated CEO/Director (Dr. Shuji Hashimoto, former Waseda SEVP), a December 2024 COO hire (Valentino Fagard), and an IEEE Fellow advisor (Prof. Shigeki Sugano).
XELA Robotics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- XELA Robotics
- Legal name
- XELA Robotics Co., Ltd
- Website
- https://xelarobotics.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- XELA Robotics develops 3-axis magnetic tactile sensors (uSkin) and processing software (uAi) that give industrial and humanoid robots a human-like sense of touch for grasping, insertion, and dexterous manipulation, selling hardware, software, and custom integration services to manufacturers, robotics OEMs, and academic researchers globally.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
XELA Robotics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Robotic Tactile Sensors
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Humanoid & General-Purpose Robots (HDAAAIAJ)
Keywords
Where XELA Robotics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tokyo
- HQ country
- Japan
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices1 record
Markets served
XELA Robotics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Tactile Sensor Hardware Sales: Sale of uSkin tactile sensors including patch sensors (uSPa series), protected sensors (uSPr series), and curved sensors (uSCu series). Sensors are sold as standalone modules or integrated into robot hands and grippers. Custom integration services available for specific robot models.
- Software Licensing (uAi): Proprietary uAi software platform for processing tactile data. Basic features (visualization, data recording) provided free; advanced features like Individual Force Calibration offered as paid add-ons. Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) based AI solutions mentioned in investor materials.
- Custom Integration Services: Engineering services for sensor design and integration to match robot geometry, wiring, and tactile requirements. Full integration support including bracket building, cabling, signal validation, and uAi parameter adaptation for customer objects and cycles.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Standard Force Calibration (Free) |
| Other | One time/ perpetual license | Individual Force Calibration (Paid) |
| Unit Pricing | Multi-year contract | Custom Sensor Solutions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
XELA Robotics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
XELA Robotics develops and sells tactile sensing systems that give robots a human-like sense of touch. Its core product, the uSkin sensor family, consists of high-density 3-axis tactile sensors available in patch (uSPa), protected gripper (uSPr), and curved (uSCu) form factors, complemented by the uAi software platform for tactile data processing, visualization, calibration, and force control. The company also provides custom integration services to adapt sensors to specific robot geometries.
Product overview
XELA Robotics develops tactile sensing systems combining uSkin 3D tactile sensors and uAi software to give robots human-like sense of touch. The uSkin family includes three series: Patch (uSPa) for customizable flat surfaces, Protect (uSPr) for gripper fingertips, and Curved (uSCu) for robot hand fingertips. These sensors integrate with third-party robot platforms including Tesollo, Wonik Robotics Allegro Hand, Robotiq (Hand-E, 2F), Weiss Robotics, and Carnegie Mellon LEAP Hand. The uAi software platform processes raw tactile data for visualization, calibration, slip detection, and force control. The company offers custom integration services for specific robot geometries and provides CAN FD high-speed communication support.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- uSkin: XELA's tactile sensor technology - high-density 3-axis tactile sensors in a soft, durable package that give robots a human-like sense of touch
- uAi
Products and services
- uSkin Tactile Sensors Family of high-density 3-axis tactile sensors housed in soft, durable elastomer packages that measure pressure and shear forces, giving robots a human-like sense of touch for precise object manipulation. Available in patch, protected (fingertip), and curved form factors.
- uAi Software Proprietary software platform for processing tactile data from uSkin sensors; converts raw force readings into visual, calibrated information and provides real-time visualization, contact detection, data recording, slip detection, and force control. Compatible with Windows, Linux, ROS, and ROS 2; sample code in Python and C++.
- uSPa 44 Patch Sensor Flat customizable patch sensor module with 16 taxels measuring 22.6 x 24.6 x 5.5 mm with 7 wires, intended for various surface applications.
- uSPa 46 Patch Sensor Flat customizable patch sensor module with 24 taxels measuring 30.6 x 50.6 x 4.9 mm with 7 wires; serves as the regular sensor model and basis for other uSkin variants.
- uSPr HE35 Fingertip Sensor Protected fingertip sensor designed for Robotiq Hand-E grippers, with 6.6 mm thickness, 30 tri-axial tactile sensors (15 per fingertip), and easily exchangeable top layer; supports high-frequency operation up to 500 Hz.
- uSPr 2F Fingertip Sensor Protected fingertip sensor designed for Robotiq 2F-140 and 2F-85 grippers; encapsulated for protection with embedded microcontrollers.
- uSPr WSG 50 Fingertip Sensor Protected fingertip sensor for Weiss Robotics WSG 50 grippers with 48 tri-axial tactile sensors total (24 per fingertip) and embedded microcontrollers.
- uSPr DS Double-Sided Sensor Double-sided fingertip sensor with sensing on two sides plus three additional sensitive sides; 10.7 mm thickness with easily replaceable surface layer.
- uSCu ALHA Curved Fingertip Sensor Curved fingertip sensor designed for Allegro Hand by WONIK Robotics; soft, durable curved design that enables natural object interaction.
- Custom Integration Services Engineering service adapting uSkin sensor modules to match specific robot geometry, wiring, and tactile requirements; supports both research and industrial applications, including bracket building, cabling, signal validation, and uAi parameter adaptation for customer objects and cycles.
Quantifiable outcome
- 0.1 gram-force resolution enabling detection of extremely light touches for precise force measurement
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use XELA Robotics
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
XELA Robotics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration12 records
AI capability5 records
Feature13 records
XELA Robotics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, secondary, strategic and regional.
- TesollocoreIntegration of uSkin sensors into Tesollo DG-5F five-fingered anthropomorphic robot hand. Each fingertip features 12 sensing points within compact form factor (21.15mm height x 25.72mm width x 22.02mm length). Integration expands hand functionality without altering original form factor. Commercial orders accepted from late Q1 2026.
- Wonik RoboticscoreXELA integrates uSkin tactile sensors into Wonik Robotics' Allegro Hand V4 (both flat and curved versions). Allegro Hand V4 Curved features 368 tri-axial tactile sensors across fingertips, phalanges, and palm, with data output at 70 Hz over CAN bus.
- RobotiqcoreXELA developed custom fingertips integrating uSkin sensors for Robotiq Hand-E gripper (6.6mm thickness, 30 tri-axial sensors) and 2F-140/2F-85 grippers (48 tri-axial sensors). Sensors come pre-integrated with microcontrollers embedded within the fingertip.
- Weiss RoboticssecondaryXELA integrates uSkin sensors into Weiss Robotics WSG 50 gripper. Custom fingertip design with 48 tri-axial tactile sensors (24 per fingertip).
- Sake RoboticssecondaryXELA offers integrations for Sake Robotics products as part of their hardware-agnostic approach, allowing customers to utilize preferred robotic hardware with tactile sensing capabilities.
- Carnegie Mellon UniversitycoreXELA integrated 368 tri-axial tactile sensors into Carnegie Mellon University's LEAP Hand. The integration covers fingertips (30 each), phalanges (16 each), thumb (62), fingers (78 each), and palm (72). This collaboration demonstrates XELA's ability to integrate with research platforms from leading institutions.
- IIT (Italian Institute of Technology)strategicExclusive collaboration to design and develop custom fingertip for iCub child-sized humanoid robot. XELA was exclusively responsible for designing the small fingertip section for seamless integration with original iCub fingertip. This collaboration is not available for sale but demonstrates XELA's custom design capabilities.
- Ogata Lab (Waseda University)secondaryCollaboration on development of robotic fingertip with nail technology. Demonstration shows how sensitive robotic nail can pick up playing cards autonomously as a learned skill following human demonstration.
- CNBestregionalChina-based partner for robotics exhibitions and market development. CNBest allocated dedicated booth space at robotics exhibition in China to display XELA's tactile sensing technology. China represents the largest robotics market globally, accounting for over half of all robot sales worldwide.
- Garage+ AcceleratorregionalTaiwan-based accelerator program that XELA participated in during December 2024. CEO Alexander Schmitz held 18 one-on-one meetings with prominent companies discussing tactile sensing solutions. XELA also participated in Garage+ Open House exhibition with over 50 corporate visitors.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
XELA Robotics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- SynTouch: U.S.-based developer of tactile sensors and BioTac sensor technology for robotic fingers, competing head-to-head with XELA's uSkin in dexterous manipulation and slip/force sensing applications.
- GelSight: U.S. company commercializing high-resolution tactile sensing using gel-based surface imaging, directly comparable to XELA's uSkin in delivering human-like tactile perception for robotics research and industrial customers.
- Tekscan: Established manufacturer of pressure and force sensors used in robotics, medical, and industrial applications, with overlapping tactile-sensing capability to XELA's high-resolution 3-axis sensors.
- Pressure Profile Systems (PPS): Manufacturer of tactile pressure sensors for robotics, medical, and HMI applications, competing with XELA in the robotic manipulation and gripper sensor market.
- Shadow Robot Company: UK-based developer of dexterous robot hands with integrated tactile sensing, comparable to XELA's integrations with Allegro Hand and Tesollo, serving research and advanced manipulation use cases.
Broad incumbents
- RightHand Robotics: U.S. provider of robotic piece-picking solutions for warehouses and logistics, using grippers and sensors to handle diverse objects, overlapping with XELA's warehouse/logistics use cases and OEM-style gripper approach.
- OnRobot: Global vendor of robotic grippers and end-of-arm tooling with broad portfolio, competing indirectly with XELA at the system level where grippers are deployed alongside tactile sensors in industrial cells.
- Festo: Large German industrial automation and pneumatic supplier with a broad portfolio including grippers and bio-inspired handling systems, comparable as an established incumbent in the broader market XELA targets.
Emerging players
- Robotiq: Canadian gripper manufacturer that both integrates XELA sensors and offers its own adaptive grippers, making it a partial OEM partner and a partial competitor at the integrated solution level.
- Wonik Robotics: South Korean maker of the Allegro Hand, a key OEM partner for XELA's curved fingertip sensors; relevant peer because it sits at the intersection of dexterous robotic hands and tactile-enabled manipulation.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks3 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
XELA Robotics social profiles
Digital presenceXELA Robotics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
XELA Robotics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
XELA Robotics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
XELA Robotics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about XELA Robotics
What does XELA Robotics do?
XELA Robotics develops and sells tactile sensing systems that give robots a human-like sense of touch. Its core product, the uSkin sensor family, consists of high-density 3-axis tactile sensors available in patch (uSPa), protected gripper (uSPr), and curved (uSCu) form factors, complemented by the uAi software platform for tactile data processing, visualization, calibration, and force control. The company also provides custom integration services to adapt sensors to specific robot geometries.
Is XELA Robotics a public or private company?
XELA Robotics is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was XELA Robotics founded?
XELA Robotics was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is XELA Robotics based?
XELA Robotics is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, in the Asia region.
How does XELA Robotics make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Tactile Sensor Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are software Licensing (uAi) and custom Integration Services.
Who are XELA Robotics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are SynTouch, GelSight, Tekscan, Pressure Profile Systems (PPS) and Shadow Robot Company. Broad incumbents are RightHand Robotics, OnRobot and Festo. Emerging players are Robotiq and Wonik Robotics.
Does XELA Robotics have an API?
No public API is recorded for XELA Robotics.
What industry is XELA Robotics in?
XELA Robotics's product category is Robotic Tactile Sensors. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAAAIAL, Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors), with a secondary code of HDAAAIAJ, Humanoid & General-Purpose Robots. Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3841.