What HAL Robotics does

HAL Robotics Ltd is a London-based private software company founded in 2014 that develops modular, no-code and low-code software for programming, simulating, and controlling industrial robots and collaborative robots (cobots). Its core technology comprises the HAL Robotics Framework — an extensible platform covering the end-to-end workflow from cell modelling and digital twin creation through toolpath generation and native code export for 1,000+ robot presets across ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Universal Robots, Yaskawa, Stäubli, Mitsubishi, Kawasaki, Doosan, Inovo Robotics, and UFactory — and DECODE, a no-code interface for operators that combines digital twin validation, parametric toolpath generation, workflow execution, and multi-robot coordination. The platform integrates with more than 40 CAD formats and is deeply embedded in McNeel Rhino/Grasshopper and Autodesk Revit, with an AWS-based cloud deployment that supports parallel digital twin simulation at scale.

The company serves manufacturers, construction firms, academic and corporate research institutions, food & beverage operators, and entertainment/hospitality users, with publicly disclosed engagements including Skanska (on-site construction robotics), XtreeE and Tarmac (3D concrete printing), MX3D (wire-arc additive manufacturing), Inovo Robotics (modular cobot path planning), Bryden Wood (robot monitoring data extraction), Timbur (robotic timber fabrication), CITA and École des Ponts ParisTech (research platforms), and a robot bartender deployment. HAL Robotics monetizes through recurring software licences for DECODE and the Framework, alongside professional services covering application development, custom software/integration work, and tailored training programmes; pricing is quote-based and engaged via 'Request a Demo' rather than published tiered plans. The go-to-market is hybrid, combining direct enterprise sales and consultative project work with product-led self-serve access to documentation, tutorials, and downloadable software, and the company currently operates from a single London headquarters serving customers across the UK, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia.

Name

HAL Robotics

Legal name

HAL Robotics Ltd

Website

https://hal-robotics.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

HAL Robotics is a London-based private software company (founded 2014) that develops DECODE and the HAL Robotics Framework — no-code robot programming, simulation, and control software supporting 1,000+ robot presets and 40+ CAD formats — sold to manufacturers, construction firms, academic research labs, and entertainment customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Robotics Software

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)

akta.pro primary industry

Robot Software, Autonomy Stacks & Simulation (ROS, digital twins) (HDAAAIAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Warehouse Robotics (HDAAAIAA), Collaborative Robots (Cobots) (IMAHAHAB), Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB)

Keywords

• Robot programming software
• Collaborative robotics
• Digital twin simulation
• No-code automation
• CAD-to-robot programming

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Software Licenses (DECODE & HAL Robotics Framework): The primary revenue stream comes from software licensing of the DECODE platform and HAL Robotics Framework. The software enables no-code robot programming, simulation and control for industrial robots and cobots. Pricing is quote-based for enterprise deployments.
2. Professional Services - Custom Software Development: Bespoke software development services for custom robot applications, integration projects, and specialized middleware solutions. Services include connecting robot controllers with sensors, developing custom monitoring applications, and creating specialized user interfaces.
3. Training Services: Tailored training programs to help customers learn robotics software, with programs designed for non-experts including material scientists, designers, artists, and operators.
4. Application Development Services: End-to-end application automation services where HAL Robotics helps design, develop, and deploy specific robotic applications for customers.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

HAL Robotics develops and licenses adaptive robot programming, simulation, and control software for industrial robots and cobots. Its flagship product DECODE is a no-code collaborative robot programming platform that combines digital twin simulation, parametric toolpath generation, and operator workflow execution, enabling users without robotics expertise to deploy automation. The underlying HAL Robotics Framework supports 1000+ robot presets across all major manufacturers, 40+ CAD formats, and multi-robot coordination, with native code export for ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Universal Robots, Yaskawa, Staubli and Mitsubishi controllers.

Product overview

HAL Robotics offers a unified robotics software platform centered on two core products: the HAL Robotics Framework (an extensible, modular middleware for adaptive robot task programming, inter-device communication, and motion planning) and DECODE (a no-code collaborative robot programming, simulation, and control software). The platform also includes a Grasshopper SDK plugin for parametric CAD-to-robot toolpath generation, a library of 1000+ robot presets, and support for 40+ CAD formats. Together, these products enable end-to-end workflows from cell modeling and digital twin simulation through robot code generation and deployment, with specialized support for construction, manufacturing, and research applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• DECODE A no-code collaborative robot programming, simulation, and control software platform that enables users with no robotics or programming expertise to flexibly automate new and variable tasks. Combines digital twin simulation, parametric toolpath generators, and an operator workflow executor that runs on the robot cell HMI to guide operators through human-robot collaboration scenarios.
• HAL Robotics Framework An extensible and modular software platform that underpins DECODE and HAL Robotics services, facilitating adaptive robot task programming, inter-device communication, and motion planning. Covers an end-to-end workflow from cell modelling through robot execution and deployment, with native robot code generation for 1000+ robot presets across major manufacturers.
• HAL Robotics Framework for Grasshopper A plugin for McNeel Grasshopper within Rhino 3D that enables parametric toolpath generation directly from CAD geometry. Allows users to create digital twins, program robot tasks, and export native robot code directly from the Grasshopper visual programming environment.
• Robot Software Development & Training Services Professional services including bespoke application automation development (end-to-end design, development, and deployment of robotic applications), collaborative development support (custom middleware, sensor integration, monitoring applications, and specialized user interfaces), and tailored training programs for non-experts including material scientists, designers, artists, and operators.

Quantifiable outcome

• Deploy collaborative robot applications in minutes rather than days of specialist work
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability1 record

Feature8 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and project.

• ABB RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationABB Robotics is a key technology partner whose robots are extensively supported by HAL Robotics software. The partnership includes extensive documentation, preset configurations, and code generation capabilities for ABB robot controllers including IRC5, IRC5 Compact V2, and OmniCore. HAL Robotics software generates ABB RAPID code and supports features like EGM (External Guided Motion) and PCSDK/RWS upload capabilities.
• Universal RobotscoreTechnology or IntegrationUniversal Robots cobots (UR3, UR5, UR10, and e-series variants) are fully supported with presets and code generation. HAL Robotics provides an alternative to ROS and Polyscope for Universal Robots programming, enabling users to program without robotics expertise.
• KUKAcoreTechnology or IntegrationKUKA robot support includes 260+ robot presets covering KR Agilus, Quantec, Fortec, and LBR iiwa/iisy cobot series. HAL Robotics generates KUKA KRL code and supports KUKA.RSI and KUKA.RoboTeam software packages.
• Yaskawa MotomancoreTechnology or IntegrationExtensive Yaskawa support including dozens of robot models across AR, EA, EH, EPH, EPX, ES, GP, HP, MA, MH, MPX, MS, SIA, SP, SSA, SSF, VA, VS series. Supports Yaskawa NX100, DX100, FS100, DX200, YRC1000, and YRC1000 micro controllers.
• StäublicoreTechnology or IntegrationStäubli robot support covers TX2, TX2Touch, TS2, RS, and RX series with CS8 and CS9 controller support. HAL Robotics generates Staubli VAL3 code.
• FANUCcoreTechnology or IntegrationFANUC robot programming and simulation supported through HAL Robotics Framework with documentation and code generation capabilities.
• Mitsubishi ElectriccoreTechnology or IntegrationMitsubishi MELFA robot support including RV-FR, RV-2FR series with CR750, CR751, CR760, CR800 controller support.
• McNeel (Rhino/Grasshopper)coreTechnology or IntegrationDeep integration with McNeel Rhinoceros 3D and Grasshopper visual programming environment. The HAL Robotics Framework for Grasshopper enables parametric toolpath generation and CAD-to-robot workflows directly from design software.
• Amazon Web Services (AWS)strategicTechnology or IntegrationAWS partnership for cloud-based digital twin simulation. HAL Robotics Framework runs on AWS Fargate serverless infrastructure enabling parallel simulations for automated design validation. The solution uses S3, DynamoDB, and Step Functions for scalable cloud robotics workflows.
• Inovo RoboticsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAL Robotics developed a custom embedded path planner for Inovo Robotics modular cobot that adapts to changing robot morphology when configurations are reconfigured. Some features developed for Inovo Robotics are now included in the standard HAL Robotics software.
• SkanskastrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative On-Site Construction Robot (COSCR) project - development of autonomous mobile construction robot for BIM-linked drilling and fastening operations. Combined Skanska construction expertise, InnoTecUK equipment, ABB robotics, Skyjack platforms, and HAL Robotics software.
• XtreeEstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerXtreeE has used the HAL Robotics Framework since 2015 for large-scale 3D concrete printing. HAL Robotics software enabled XtreeE to develop industrial demonstrators within months, becoming one of the first companies to commercialize concrete 3D printers.
• Bryden WoodprojectImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerBryden Wood used HAL Robotics software for R&D into manufacturing bracketry for construction. Later engaged HAL Robotics for custom software development to extract real-time welding robot monitoring data for their data-driven design practice.
• École des Ponts ParisTech (Build'In Lab)strategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerHAL Robotics is the robot software partner for the Build'In Co-Innovation Lab in Paris. Provides software tools, robotics training, and support for three unique robot cells supporting research in new materials, on-site robotics, and digitalisation.
• CITA (Centre for Information Technology and Architecture)projectStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership for robotic incremental sheet forming - dieless robotic sheet metal forming to create thin-skinned metallic structures. HAL Robotics software programmed complex toolpaths from generative CAD models.
• MX3DstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMX3D was spun off from Joris Laarman Lab where HAL Robotics software was used to develop Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) technology. The success led to MX3D's famous 3D printed bridge project in Amsterdam.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Octopuz: Octopuz provides offline robot programming software for complex welding, cutting, and additive manufacturing applications. Direct competitor in OLRP for industrial robot cell programming.
• Robotmaster (by Hypertherm): Robotmaster is an offline robot programming software specializing in CAD-to-path for welding, cutting, and machining applications. Comparable to HAL's parametric toolpath generation for manufacturing applications.
• Wandelbots: Wandelbots provides a no-code robot teaching platform (TracePen) targeting manufacturers without robotics expertise. Direct competitor in democratizing robot programming for non-specialist operators.
• RoboDK: RoboDK provides offline robot programming and simulation software supporting 500+ robots across all major OEMs. Most directly comparable competitor to HAL Robotics in cross-OEM robot simulation and toolpath generation.
• Visual Components: Visual Components offers 3D manufacturing simulation software with robot programming and OLP capabilities. Comparable to HAL's digital twin simulation focus with broader factory-level scope.
• Artiminds Robotics: Artiminds offers no-code robot programming with template-based programming and force-controlled applications. Closely aligned with HAL's no-code positioning for non-expert users deploying collaborative robot applications.
• IT+Robotics: IT+Robotics (Spin-off of the University of Verona) provides a cross-platform robot programming environment supporting multiple OEM brands. Comparable to HAL in vendor-neutral OLRP targeting academic and industrial users.

Broad incumbents

• Siemens Tecnomatix: Siemens Tecnomatix is an industrial digital manufacturing suite with robot simulation and OLP capabilities. Broad incumbent in factory digitalization competing for enterprise-level robot programming contracts.

Emerging players

• Omnirobotic: Omnirobotic develops autonomous robotic solutions for high-mix manufacturing using AI-driven path planning. Emerging player with adjacent positioning to HAL's adaptive robot programming for variable production.

Others

• ABB RobotStudio: RobotStudio is ABB's native simulation and offline programming environment. While not a separate company, it represents the OEM-side alternative that competes with HAL's cross-OEM proposition for ABB-specific deployments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCryNxUmhvvyUFh1FdLUlm1Q
• Facebookfacebook.com/halrobotics
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hal-robotics-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/halrobotics
• Xx.com/halrobotics

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 HAL Robotics