NEXT
NEXT Robotics is a German system integrator and distributor of collaborative and mobile robotics, serving manufacturing, medtech, electronics, and research customers across the DACH region through Universal Robots, Mecademic, and MiR products, plus proprietary platforms and certified training.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersVillingen-schwenningen, Germany
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NEXT does
NEXT robotics GmbH & Co. KG is a privately held, founder-led German robotics distributor and system integrator headquartered in Mönchweiler (Baden-Württemberg), serving customers across the DACH region. The company originated as Frei Technik (founded 1965), pivoted toward collaborative robotics in 2003, and rebranded to NEXT robotics in 2016. It operates as an authorized distributor for Universal Robots (one of the first three globally since 2010, Enabled Distributor since 2020), Europe's first Mecademic distributor (since 2017), and a MiR channel partner for autonomous mobile robots, while also distributing components from 15+ partner brands including Robotiq, OnRobot, SCHUNK, Schmalz, Piab, qb robotics, Shadow Robot, Roboception, and Bota Systems. Beyond distribution, NEXT has developed proprietary platforms including the NEXT HUMANOID dual-arm humanoid platform with Physical AI and the GENITOR.AI mobile robot platform combining AR, Digital Twin, and AI-based control.
The company's core technology stack spans cobots (UR e-Series), micro-robots (Mecademic Meca500 and MCS500), autonomous mobile robots (MiR250/600/1350/1200), and AI-robotics integrations (AICA, Realtime Robotics, Universal Robots AI Accelerator with NVIDIA Jetson, Roboception 3D vision, Delfa force control). It offers application-specific solutions such as the NEXT Logistics Palletizer and PAL Ready/PAL Series palletizing cells, the NEXT Schulungszelle training cell, and custom system developments. Service offerings include consulting, project planning, implementation, programming (including URCaps development and RoboDK simulation), preventive maintenance, and UR Care service contracts.
NEXT generates revenue through five streams: (1) hardware sales of robots and components from its partner ecosystem; (2) professional services including consulting, integration, and programming; (3) Academy and Training via the NEXT Academy in Zimmern ob Rottweil, offering UR-certified and IHK-certified courses; (4) preventive maintenance as a managed service; and (5) UR Care service contract administration. Customers span eight vertical segments including manufacturing, medical technology, food and packaging, electronics and photonics, laboratories and healthcare, education, municipal applications, and startups. Pricing is not publicly disclosed as solutions are highly customized. The company is also engaged in publicly funded research projects including the BMWK-funded ChargePal (4.7 million euros) and the BMBF-funded KAMeri project.
NEXT firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NEXT
- Legal name
- NEXT robotics GmbH & Co. KG
- Website
- https://next-robotics.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- NEXT Robotics is a German system integrator and distributor of collaborative and mobile robotics, serving manufacturing, medtech, electronics, and research customers across the DACH region through Universal Robots, Mecademic, and MiR products, plus proprietary platforms and certified training.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NEXT industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Robotics Distribution and Integration
- NAICS
- Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151), Industrial Truck, Tractor, Trailer, and Stacker Machinery Manufacturing (333924), Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing (3339)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment (3560), Industrial Trucks, Tractors, Trailors & Stackers (3537)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial Robotics & Cobots (IMAIAMAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Collaborative Robots (Cobots) (IMAHAHAB), Humanoid & General-Purpose Robots (HDAAAIAJ), Robot Hardware, Actuators & Components (sensors, grippers, motors) (HDAAAIAL), AI & Machine Learning for Robotics Programs (EDAMADAK)
Keywords
Where NEXT is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Villingen-schwenningen
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
NEXT business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Robotics Hardware Sales: NEXT sells a broad portfolio of robotic hardware including cobots (Universal Robots e-Series), micro-robots (Mecademic), autonomous mobile robots (MiR), and specialized platforms. Revenue is generated through direct sales of robot arms, mobile platforms, and complete systems as one-time transactions.
- Components (EOAT, Sensorik, Greifer): NEXT distributes components from multiple partner brands including grippers (Robotiq, OnRobot, SCHUNK, Schmalz, Piab), robot hands (qb robotics, Wonik Robotics, Shadow Robot), sensors (Bota Systems, XELA Robotics, Roboception), and tool-changing systems (GRIP). Revenue is generated through the sale of individual components.
- Professional Services: NEXT offers consulting, project planning, implementation, programming, and simulation services for robotics projects. Services include 1st and 2nd level technical support, robot programming, sensor and conveyor integration, interface integration (Profinet, Modbus, Ethernet/IP), URCaps development, and RoboDK simulation and digital twin services.
- Academy and Training: NEXT Academy provides training courses including Roboterfuehrerschein (robot operator certification), IHK-certified robotics courses, UR Core/Advanced/PolyScope X product training, and Mecademic product training. Revenue is generated through course fees.
- Preventive Maintenance: NEXT provides ongoing preventive maintenance services including safety checks, component replacement, monitoring, diagnostics, and remote or on-site support to ensure long-term availability of automation systems.
- UR Care Service Contracts: NEXT administers UR Care service contracts from Universal Robots on behalf of customers, providing prioritized support, on-site service, two maintenance visits per year, training discounts, loaner robots, and replacement parts.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
NEXT product offering
Product offeringCore offering
NEXT robotics is a research-oriented sales and development office that distributes and integrates a broad portfolio of collaborative robots (Universal Robots, Mecademic), autonomous mobile robots (MiR), AI-powered robotics platforms, and end-of-arm tooling from 15+ partner brands. The company delivers end-to-end automation solutions including consulting, system integration, programming, simulation, training, and preventive maintenance to manufacturing, medtech, food, electronics, and logistics customers in the DACH region.
Product overview
NEXT Robotics is a research-oriented sales and development office for novel robotics technology based in Mönchweiler, Germany, offering a comprehensive portfolio organized into Robotics (robot arms from Universal Robots and Mecademic, MiR autonomous mobile robots, humanoid robot platform, and AI-driven robotics), Components (GRIP quick-change systems, sensor solutions from Bota Systems/XELA Robotics/Roboception, grippers from Robotiq/OnRobot/SCHUNK/Schmalz/Piab, and robot hands from Robotiq/qb robotics/Wonik Robotics/Shadow Robot), Systems (NEXT Training Cells, NEXT Logistics Palletizer including Robotiq PAL Ready and PAL Series, and system developments including Delfa Force Technology, ETO Magnetic Grippers, and GENITOR.AI), and Services (NEXT Academy training programs, Preventive Maintenance, UR Care service contracts). The company acts as an integrator and distributor for a curated ecosystem of partner brands, combining them into tailored automation solutions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NEXT HUMANOID
Quantifiable outcome
- PAL Ready achieves 4-6 months ROI at 2-shift operation with 80% labor savings
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use NEXT
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
NEXT technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability11 records
Feature5 records
NEXT partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, strategic and minor.
- MecademiccoreSince 2017, NEXT has been Europe's first authorized Mecademic distributor, offering the Meca500 (world's most compact 6-axis industrial robot) and MCS500 SCARA robot. NEXT also provides calibration services using coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and Mecademic-specific product training.
- Universal RobotscoreNEXT is one of the first three Universal Robots distributors globally (since 2010) and an Enabled Distributor. They resell and integrate the complete UR e-Series cobot portfolio (UR3e, UR7e, UR12e, UR16e, UR20, UR30) and offer UR Academy certified training courses. This is a flagship distributor relationship at the core of NEXT's business.
- MiR (Mobile Industrial Robots)coreNEXT distributes MiR autonomous mobile robots (MiR250, MiR600, MiR1350, MiR1200 Pallet Jack) offering payload capacities from 250 kg to over 1,300 kg with intelligent navigation and fleet management capabilities.
- RobotiqcoreNEXT is one of the first Robotiq partners in Europe, distributing adaptive grippers (RG2, RG6, 3F), vacuum grippers, and complete palletizing solutions (PAL Ready, PAL Series). They offer Robotiq Palletizing Configurator integration on their website.
- OnRobotmajorNEXT is a direct OnRobot partner offering their complete portfolio of electric grippers, magnetic and vacuum grippers, tool changers, Quick Changer, sensor modules, and UR+ certified software integration for collaborative robotics applications.
- SCHUNKmajorNEXT is a SCHUNK partner offering PGN-plus grippers, EGP electric grippers, Vero-S clamping systems, and Co-act collaborative grippers with integrated sensor technology for industrial and HRC applications.
- SchmalzmajorNEXT partners with Schmalz for vacuum gripping solutions including vacuum suction grippers, swivel and tilt devices, and vacuum lifters suitable for industrial and collaborative applications with Universal Robots and Mecademic.
- PiabmajorNEXT partners with Piab offering COAX vacuum technology, vacuum grippers, pumps, and End-of-Arm-Tools for energy-efficient automated handling and robotic applications.
- qb roboticsmajorNEXT is an official qb-robotics partner in the DACH region, distributing soft-robotic robot hands using Variable Stiffness Actuation (VSA) technology for adaptive, safe, and energy-efficient gripping in variable environments.
- Wonik RoboticsmajorNEXT is a Wonik Robotics partner in DACH, distributing multi-fingered robot hands for versatile collaborative applications on mobile platforms and stationary cobots, focusing on logistics, care, laboratory automation, and HRC scenarios.
- Shadow RobotmajorNEXT offers Shadow Robot's Shadow Dexterous Hand with over 20 degrees of freedom and more than 100 sensors for fine motor, high-sensitivity applications including AI training, complex object manipulation, and collaborative robotics.
- RoboceptionmajorNEXT is a Roboception partner in DACH, integrating rc_visard 3D sensors and rc_reason software for 3D vision, object recognition, grip point calculation, and motion planning. UR+ certified plug-and-play integration.
- Bota SystemsmajorNEXT is an authorized BOTA Systems partner in DACH, distributing SensONE 6-axis force/torque sensors for precise, real-time force and moment measurement in robotics, research, and industrial applications with ROS and UR compatibility.
- ETO MagneticmajorNEXT distributes ETO Magnetic intelligent magnetic grippers for reliable, process-secure, and energy-efficient handling of workpieces including those with rough surfaces, open geometries, or in space-critical areas.
- Delfa SystemsmajorNEXT is the Delfa partner in DACH for real-time force control technology enabling dynamic and sensitive control of robot-based movements. Integration with UR, KUKA, and FANUC robots for force-controlled assembly, polishing, deburring, and HRC.
- GENITOR.AIstrategicNEXT has developed GENITOR.AI, a proprietary mobile robot platform combining autonomous robotics, adaptive control, Augmented Reality, Digital Twin, and AI for intuitive human-machine interaction through gesture and visual input.
- AICAstrategicNEXT integrates AICA software platform offering modular motion planning, force-controlled execution, and machine learning with a visual drag-and-drop interface. Includes Learning by Demonstration for Universal Robots PolyScope X.
- Realtime RoboticsmajorNEXT integrates Realtime Robotics solutions for real-time automated motion planning, enabling collision-free coordination of multiple robots and dynamic re-tasking for changing layouts and processes.
- AI Accelerator (Universal Robots)majorNEXT integrates the AI Accelerator by Universal Robots, combining UR cobots with NVIDIA Jetson edge computing hardware for local AI processing including quality control, intelligent bin picking, adaptive motion control, and predictive maintenance.
- GRIP (Wechselsysteme)minorNEXT distributes GRIP mechanical and pneumatic quick-change systems for rapid tool changes, modular production concepts, and maximum process reliability with integrated energy and signal pass-through for Pneumatics, Electric, and IO-Link.
- UR Academy (Universal Robots)coreNEXT operates as a UR Academy partner providing certified training courses (Core, Advanced, PolyScope X) at their facility in Zimmern ob Rottweil, Germany. They offer 10% discount on training at over 130 UR centers worldwide for UR Care customers.
- Industry Associations (wvib, VDI, VDMA, etc.)minorNEXT is associated with industry and innovation organizations including wvib (industry association), VDI (Association of German Engineers), VDMA (Mechanical Engineering Industry Association), Medical Mountains, Deutschland der Ideen, Schreiner BW, OptoNet, Automation Valley, Bayern Innovativ, Cluster, and Silicon Saxony.
- BMWK (Bundesministerium fuer Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz)strategicThe ChargePal project is funded by BMWK with 4.7 million euros. NEXT participates as an industry partner contributing robotics expertise, software integration, and user interface development to the autonomous mobile charging robot project.
- BMBF (Bundesministerium fuer Bildung und Forschung)strategicThe KAMeri project (Cognitive Work Safety for Human-Robot Collaboration) is funded by BMBF. NEXT contributes as an application partner testing solutions in real applications with real processes for real people.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
NEXT competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- KUKA: German global leader in industrial robotics and automation, offering cobots, industrial robots, and full system integration at much larger scale. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving the same DACH industrial customer base.
- ABB Robotics: Global robotics and automation major offering industrial and collaborative robots plus integration services. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating in DACH manufacturing with overlapping cobot and AMR categories.
- Stäubli Robotics: Swiss-headquartered global robotics OEM (SCARA, 6-axis, cobots) with strong DACH industrial presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping cobot and industrial automation offerings.
- Yaskawa: Global industrial and collaborative robotics manufacturer with strong European (including DACH) presence. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering cobots and robotic systems to manufacturing customers similar to NEXT's.
Direct peers
- Wandelbots: German no-code robotics platform company enabling rapid robot teaching and integration across cobot brands. Comparable to NEXT as a DACH-headquartered robotics software/integration player serving manufacturing customers.
- ArtiMinds Robotics: German provider of software and integration services for cobots and industrial robots, focused on programming, force-controlled applications, and turnkey automation. Comparable to NEXT as a DACH-based cobot SI with software differentiation.
- Fruitcore Robotics: German cobot and industrial automation company (maker of the HORST platform) that designs, manufactures, and integrates cobot systems for industrial applications, directly comparable to NEXT's cobot-focused DACH integrator/distributor business.
- Drag&Bot: German robotics software company providing a graphical operating system for cobots and industrial robots. Comparable to NEXT as a DACH cobot integration specialist targeting manufacturers without deep robotics expertise.
- Hahn Automation: German-headquartered system integrator building automated production systems using cobots and industrial robots across automotive, medical, and consumer industries. Comparable to NEXT as a DACH robotics SI serving mid-market manufacturers.
- Mabi Robotic: Swiss-German robotic system integrator specializing in palletizing, machine loading, and pick-and-place solutions using cobots. Comparable to NEXT's palletizing and cobot integration business in the DACH region.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NEXT social profiles
Digital presenceNEXT compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
NEXT financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NEXT leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
NEXT funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
NEXT 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 NEXT
What does NEXT do?
NEXT robotics is a research-oriented sales and development office that distributes and integrates a broad portfolio of collaborative robots (Universal Robots, Mecademic), autonomous mobile robots (MiR), AI-powered robotics platforms, and end-of-arm tooling from 15+ partner brands. The company delivers end-to-end automation solutions including consulting, system integration, programming, simulation, training, and preventive maintenance to manufacturing, medtech, food, electronics, and logistics customers in the DACH region.
Is NEXT a public or private company?
NEXT is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was NEXT founded?
NEXT was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is NEXT based?
NEXT is headquartered in Villingen-schwenningen, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does NEXT make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Robotics Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are components (EOAT, Sensorik, Greifer), professional Services, academy and Training, preventive Maintenance and UR Care Service Contracts.
Who are NEXT's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are KUKA, ABB Robotics, Stäubli Robotics and Yaskawa. Direct peers are Wandelbots, ArtiMinds Robotics, Fruitcore Robotics, Drag&Bot, Hahn Automation and Mabi Robotic.
Does NEXT have an API?
Yes. NEXT offers the Mecademic Meca500 Python API via TCP/IP for external sequence control, status feedback, and IT/OT integration. Optional PLC integration via PROFINET (S7-1200) or EtherCAT (TwinCAT).
What industry is NEXT in?
NEXT's product category is Industrial Robotics Distribution and Integration. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAMAB, Industrial Robotics & Cobots, with a secondary code of IMAHAHAB, Collaborative Robots (Cobots). Its NAICS code is 54151 and its SIC code is 7373.