Bochum, October 16, 2023 – United Robotics Group (URG) and the Fraunhofer Institute for  Manufacturing Engineering and Automation (IPA) have signed a licensing settlement as a part of their newly concluded know-how partnership. The settlement covers the distribution and additional growth of the KEVIN® laboratory robotic, which will likely be manufactured and distributed by URG sooner or later. With this strategic step, URG is increasing its presence in the life science sector.
As well as, each companions profit from invaluable synergies for the future-oriented automation of laboratories – the analysis and innovation experience of Fraunhofer IPA optimally enhances the robotics experience of URG. The laboratory robotic KEVIN® was developed by the Division of Laboratory Automation and Bioproduction Know-how at Fraunhofer IPA and dropped at prototype stage with first take a look at prospects worldwide. Below the umbrella of URG, KEVIN® will now go into sequence manufacturing. For this goal, the corporate is buying a corresponding licence for the use and additional growth of the robotic’s {hardware} and software program.

We’re happy to have the ability to create new, promising views for laboratory automation with our robotics options as a part of the collaboration. This strengthens our presence within the life science sector – and allows us to successfully tackle societal challenges such because the scarcity of expert labour and demographic change,“ explains Thomas Linkenheil, Co-CEO of URG.

Cellular laboratory robotic
KEVIN® is an autonomous, cellular laboratory robotic. It automates processes and could be
flexibly and intuitively built-in into laboratory infrastructures. The robotic takes over
repetitive routine duties. For instance, it transports microtitre plates and racks in SBS format, resembling samples or consumables for refilling. It will possibly additionally provide techniques with pipette ideas.
Utilizing KEVIN® across the clock will increase effectivity within the laboratory. Given the scarcity of expert staff, it’s notably essential to scale back the workload of employees, permitting them to deal with value-added actions.

„With the brand new settlement, now we have added a decisive increase to the additional growth and commersialisation of KEVIN®. Automation performs an essential function within the life science sector. It allows laboratories to reply flexibly to completely different necessities. This makes it all of the extra essential to collectively develop appropriate options for this sector,“ says Thomas Bauernhansl, Director of the Fraunhofer IPA.

Improve in personnel for URG
In the midst of the technological partnership between Fraunhofer IPA and URG and the switch of the licensing rights to KEVIN®, there may also be personnel adjustments. Sarah Ostertag and Tobias Brode will be part of the United Robotics Group. Sooner or later, Sarah Ostertag will work as UX & Industrial Design Lead + Product Administration and Tobias Brode as Head of Enterprise Improvement Lab Automation at URG. Each will accompany KEVIN® from the preliminary concept to the market-ready sequence product and thus strengthen firm’s experience in the long run.