Robo'Lyon

What Robo'Lyon does

Robo'Lyon is a French non-profit association founded in 2014 and based at Lycée Notre Dame de Bellegarde in Neuville-sur-Saône, in the Lyon metropolitan area. The organization operates a high school student robotics program that competes in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) as Team 5553 and, since 2024, in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) as Team 23147. Robo'Lyon is recognized as the first French team ever to participate in the FIRST Robotics Competition, and each season the students design and build a new competition robot in approximately six weeks, competing at regional events across North America (Montréal, St Louis, Detroit, Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago).

The team's core products are annual competition robots incorporating mechanisms such as claws, winches, conveyors, shooters, climbers, and drivetrains—each weighing approximately 54 kg and capable of speeds up to 30 km/h. Robo'Lyon applies hands-on skills in computer-aided design (CAD), electronics, mechanics, and software programming, and publishes open-source designs and code via GitHub. As an innovation offshoot, the team developed WalkAssistant, a smart belt prototype that uses sensors and laser projection to provide visual cues assisting Parkinson's disease patients with gait freeze episodes; this project evolved through four prototype iterations and won the 2021 FIRST Global Innovation Award. The organization also promotes the creation of new FIRST teams in France.

Robo'Lyon generates no commercial revenue. As a French association à but non lucratif, it is funded through corporate sponsorships from approximately 25 partners (including Groupe Noël, Crédit Mutuel, HAAS, VAHLE France, and TraceParts), individual donations, regional government support from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, and recurring fundraising activities such as sales of Christmas trees (with Fleurs Dulac) and smoked salmon (with Rotary Club Lyon). The organization is eligible for corporate CSR (RSE) sponsorship programs and revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Robo'Lyon

Legal name

Association Robo'Lyon

Website

https://robolyon.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Robo'Lyon is a French non-profit association operating the first French FIRST Robotics Competition team. High school students from Lycée Notre Dame de Bellegarde design and build annual competition robots, with WalkAssistant—a Parkinson's-assistive smart belt—as its innovation highlight.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Educational Robotics Programs

akta.pro primary industry

Competition Robotics Teams & Coaching (FLL/FTC/FRC, VEX) (EDAMADAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Robotics Learning Platforms (EDAFANAB)

Keywords

• Educational robotics programs
• STEM education programs
• FIRST robotics competition
• Assistive healthcare technology
• Youth robotics training

Headquarters

HQ city

Neuville-sur-saône

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Sponsorships and Donations: As a non-profit association, Robo'Lyon operates entirely on sponsorships from companies, donations from individuals, and partnerships with educational institutions. The organization is eligible for corporate CSR (RSE) programs.
2. Product Sales: The team raises funds through sales activities including Christmas trees, smoked salmon, and autographed novels, often in partnership with other organizations like Rotary Club Lyon.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Robo'Lyon is a French non-profit association of high school students from Lycée Notre Dame de Bellegarde that designs, builds, and competes with robots in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) and FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). Each season the team builds a new competition robot from scratch in approximately 6 weeks. The team has also developed WalkAssistant, a smart belt innovation designed to help Parkinson's disease patients with gait freeze episodes.

Product overview

Robo'Lyon is a non-profit association of high school students from Notre Dame de Bellegarde who design and build competitive robots for the FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC, for ages 14-18) and the FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC, for ages 12-18). Each FRC season, the team designs and constructs a new robot from scratch in 6 weeks, competing at regional events internationally. The core product portfolio consists of annual FRC competition robots (Zeppelin, Archimède, Scorpion, Antares, Scrumtrooper, Scrumtrooper V2, HomeRun, Tenor) and FTC competition robots (team 23147). As an innovation offshoot, the team developed WalkAssistant, a smart belt for Parkinson's patients that won the 2021 Global Innovation Award. The team also publishes open-source CAD designs and code for its robots via GitHub.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Walk Assistant: A laser belt innovation designed to assist people with Parkinson's disease with walking, developed as part of the Innovation Challenge and winner of the 2021 Global Innovation Awards.

Products and services

• WalkAssistant A smart belt prototype designed to assist people with Parkinson's disease with walking. Features laser guidance and intelligent components to help patients maintain steady gait and manage freeze episodes. Developed as a 2021 Innovation Challenge project and winner of the 2021 Global Innovation Award.
• Zeppelin (FRC 2017 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2017 STEAMWORKS season. Weighs 54 kg, measures 0.70m x 1m x 0.82m, reaches speeds up to 30 km/h, and uses a dual NEO motor powertrain with a Versa Drop base and a gripper and winch mechanism.
• Archimède (FRC 2018 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2018 FIRST Power Up season. Used the Versa Drop Base drivetrain platform providing reliable mobility during matches. Built and competed at the Montreal regional.
• Scorpion (FRC 2018 Emergency Replacement Robot) Emergency replacement FRC robot built in 2 weeks at the Detroit Championship in 2018 after Archimède suffered a major technical failure. Constructed using Archimède's drivetrain with entirely new mechanisms.
• Antares (FRC 2019 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2019 Destination: Deep Space season. Built and competed at the regional competitions.
• Scrumtrooper (FRC 2020 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2020 Infinite Recharge season. Named Scrumtrooper to reflect the team's agile development method. Built in 5 weeks before departure to Los Angeles regional.
• Scrumtrooper V2 (FRC 2021 Competition Robot) Rebuilt FRC robot for the 2021 FIRST Game Changers season. After the original Scrumtrooper was damaged, the team designed and built new mechanisms to replace the original robot in its entirety except for the base.
• HomeRun (FRC 2022 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2022 season, representing team 5553. The team competed at regionals including Chicago.
• Tenor (FRC 2024 Competition Robot) FRC competition robot built for the 2024 season, representing team 5553.
• FTC Competition Robot 23147 FTC (FIRST Tech Challenge) competition robot representing team 23147 for students aged 12-18. Participated in 2024 and 2025 Défi Robotique competitions, winning the 2025 regional in Clermont-Ferrand and receiving the Control Award.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4 Championship qualifications in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2023
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• IDRAC Business SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2019Renewed partnership for the third year. Supports team through mentorship and educational collaboration.
• Lycée Notre Dame de BellegardecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding partner since 2014. The high school provides facilities, student participants, and institutional support. Located in Neuville-sur-Saône with approximately 750 students.
• Groupe NoëlcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner for 5 years, providing CNC machining services for robot parts. Finalizes robot mechanisms and produces precision components.
• FIRST FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench national organizer for FIRST robotics competitions. Provides competition framework and support for French teams.
• Credit MutuelminorOthersBanking partner providing financial sponsorship and support for team activities.
• HAASminorOthersProvides technical equipment and support for team operations.
• VAHLE FranceminorOthersProvides equipment and technical support for robotics applications.
• TracePartsminorOthersLoyal sponsor that visited team facilities. Provides CAD software and engineering resources.
• BCM MetallerieminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided training base and metal fabrication services for team.
• REELminorOthersProvided bars for the Hangar game element used in 2022 competition.
• SolmurexminorOthersProvided carpet for the game field construction during At Home Challenge 2021.
• Rotary Club LyonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborates on fundraising activities including smoked salmon sales. Lions Club Nueville Val de Saône also partners with team.
• Region Auvergne-Rhône-AlpesminorOthersRegional government providing financial support and sponsorship.
• France ParkinsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMet with team to organize future projects related to Walk Assistant. Collaboration on Parkinson's disease awareness and assistive technology.
• Hospitals of Lyon and LilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical specialists consulted to understand Parkinson's disease and gait problems for Walk Assistant development.
• CEFAMminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPresented Robo'Lyon and FIRST to business school students. Potential for recruiting mentors.
• Fusion Jeunesse / NAIA.RminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnabled team members to attend NAIA.R exhibition in Bordeaux.
• Gonzales GroupminorOthersTeam visited company premises during training course.
• Fleurs DulacminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Christmas tree sales as annual fundraising activity.
• iDOminorOthersSponsor supporting team activities.
• InTestminorOthersTechnical sponsor supporting team operations.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• FIRST Robotics Competition: FIRST is the parent organization that designs and operates the FRC and FTC programs in which Robo'Lyon competes. It is the umbrella ecosystem whose competition framework, awards structure, and global brand Robo'Lyon directly participates in and depends on.

Direct peers

• Team 1114 — Simbotics: Team 1114 is a top-ranked Canadian FRC team with a strong record of Championship wins. Robo'Lyon has competed in the same Canadian regionals (Montréal), making Simbotics a closely aligned peer in program maturity and competition success.
• Team 254 — The Cheesy Poofs: Team 254 is one of the most decorated and longest-running FRC teams in the world, based at a San Jose high school. It is directly comparable to Robo'Lyon as a high-school-driven FRC team that builds annual competition robots and competes at Championships.
• Team 1678 — Citrus Circuits: Team 1678 is a high-performing California-based FRC team consistently ranked among the world's best. It is a comparable high-school competition robotics program with similar engineering depth and team-based operational model.
• Team 2056 — OP Robotics: Team 2056 is a top Canadian FRC team and a regional rival to Robo'Lyon at Canadian events. It is directly comparable as a similarly structured high-school student robotics team competing in the same FRC program.
• FIRST France: FIRST France is the French national organizer for FIRST robotics competitions and a core strategic partner of Robo'Lyon. It operates the same competition ecosystem in which Robo'Lyon competes and supports the creation of new teams across France — directly aligned with Robo'Lyon's mission.

Regional players

• Planète Sciences: Planète Sciences is a French non-profit that runs youth STEM and robotics programs (including Planète Robots and robotics cup competitions in France). It is a comparable French non-profit promoting science and technology education among young people, paralleling Robo'Lyon's mission.

Emerging players

• France IOI: France IOI is a French non-profit focused on algorithmic and programming education for young people. It is comparable to Robo'Lyon's STEM-education mission in France, with overlapping student demographics but a programming-centric rather than robotics-centric focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• GitHubgithub.com/Team5553-RoboLyon
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmp1iNL0vWTJqS6b8ekPOXg
• Facebookfacebook.com/RoboLyonOff
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/robo%27lyon

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 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 Robo'Lyon