Continental strengthens expertise in mobile robotics

  • Industry News
  • Nov 02,23
The company acquires KINEXON's special division for the on-board operating system "Brain" for autonomous control of transport robots in intralogistics. With this transaction, KINEXON is focusing on its core business and the increasing demand for an agnostic centralised control system for autonomous mobile robots.
Continental strengthens expertise in mobile robotics

Continental has acquired KINEXON's specialist division for on-board operating systems for the intelligent control of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), thereby strengthening its own position in the strategic growth field of mobile robotics. The core of the acquisition is the "Brain" on-board operating system developed for the precise and networked control of autonomous mobile transport robots, including the IP rights to this market-leading and proven solution. In addition, the division's highly qualified development team is moving from KINEXON to Continental. Through this acquisition, Continental is expanding its own depth of value creation, extending its robotics expertise in software and hardware, and thus strengthening its own range of customer solutions for mobile robots. This will enable the company to further accelerate the introduction of new functionalities and the expansion of its product portfolio within robotics for intralogistics. Both companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price or further details of the transaction.

"With this acquisition, we are enlarging our global development team and strengthening our system expertise in mobile robotics. We can offer robust mobile robot solutions that are proven in operations since years. A one-stop shop for our customers. This step underlines our growth path for Continental Mobile Robots for a wide range of end markets," said Pierre Pomper, head of Continental Mobile Robots.


The successful partnership between KINEXON and Continental will continue after the acquisition of the on-board operating system "Brain" for autonomous driving robots. In the robotics sector, KINEXON will focus in the future on the fast-growing area of centralized control for autonomous driving robots and further expand its software for fleet management. Continental offers its customers this intelligent fleet management software as an option for controlling the AMRs. "To meet the trend as well as the increasing demand of our customers, we want to focus 100 percent on our solution in the field of fleet management. The sale of AMR's special division of on-board operating system for mobile robots 'Brain' helps us in this endeavor. We are proud to have developed a leading solution with 'Brain' and the team behind it. With this transaction, we are giving both a new home at Continental with promising prospects," said Dr Alexander Hüttenbrink, co-founder and co-CEO of KINEXON.

Continental has announced its entry into the intralogistics AMR market in 2021. Building on its experience in the automotive sector, the technology company has developed its own industrial solution that simplifies logistical workflows. After an internal test phase at Continental production sites worldwide, the AMRs are available for external market entry with improved and new functions as well as handling of new use cases. A major advantage here is the simple implementation and smooth operation in warehouse and production.

Founded in 1871, Continental offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2022, Continental generated sales of Euro 39.4 billion and currently employs around 200,000 people in 57 countries and markets.

Related Stories

Automation & Robotics
Quest to increase efficiency in manufacturing driving robots demand in India

Quest to increase efficiency in manufacturing driving robots demand in India

With 59 per cent increase in robot installation in 2023, India has emerged as one of the strongest growing markets. Many believes robots will be central to achieving India’s ambition of becoming a..

Read more
Automation & Robotics
AI and ML are opening new vistas in robotics: Sameer Gandhi

AI and ML are opening new vistas in robotics: Sameer Gandhi

In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Sameer Gandhi, MD, OMRON Automation, India, analyses India’s robot market and provides tips to companies to prepare their employees for automated working environ..

Read more
Auto & Auto Components
Tyre manufacturer Continental might spin off automotive-electronics division

Tyre manufacturer Continental might spin off automotive-electronics division

The potential move is aimed at enhancing flexibility and allowing the company to adapt more effectively to dynamic market conditions and the evolving software-driven technology landscape.

Read more

Related Products

Hi There!

Now get regular updates from IPF Magazine on WhatsApp!

Click on link below, message us with a simple hi, and SAVE our number

You will have subscribed to our Industrial News on Whatsapp! Enjoy

+91 84228 74016