Robosoft
French pioneer in mobile service robotics since 1985, founded by INRIA researchers in Bidart; builds robots for healthcare, logistics, defense, and cleaning.
Robosoft is one of Europe's longest-standing mobile robotics companies, established in 1985 by a team of INRIA (French National Institute for Research in Computer Science and Automation) researchers led by Vincent Dupourqué in Bidart, Aquitaine, France. The company grew directly from cutting-edge computer-vision research at INRIA in the early 1980s, where the team built the first autonomous mobile platform from an electric wheelchair — a prototype that became the robuTER, Robosoft's first commercial product.
Over four decades Robosoft has delivered mobile robotic platforms across five primary verticals: healthcare and assistive living (robots supporting elderly and dependent persons, including the Kompaï robot that navigates autonomously and responds to voice commands); logistics and transport (automatic goods and people transport systems); defense and security (remotely operated UGVs for hazardous environments, including MINIROC and ENH platforms developed for the French Army); urban cleaning (autonomous floor-cleaning and window-cleaning robots); and education and research (open platforms for robotics labs and academic projects).
Key products include the robuTER mobile base, the Kompaï assistive robot for seniors and people with disabilities, and the robuWALKER robotized walker developed under the EU AAL-DOMEO project. The company employs 11–50 people and operates from its headquarters in Bidart. Contact is maintained through [email protected]. Robosoft represents a rare example of a robotics firm that bridged academic research and commercial deployment across multiple service sectors during the foundational era of European mobile robotics.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
robuCAR
Customizable autonomous ground vehicle platform for defense applications, reaching up to 30 km/h with 2 m/s² acceleration.
robuTER
- Model: robuTER
- Launch Year: 1986
Generic indoor/outdoor mobile robotic base platform integrating mechanical systems with intelligent software, Robosoft's first commercial product.
Contact Robosoft
WEBSITE
https://www.robosoft.com/PHONE
(626) 263-4500HEADQUARTERS
France
Company Facts
Founded
1985
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
-
Primary Region
Europe
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
University of Leeds Develops Pressure-Free Growing Robots for Medical Applications
Researchers from the University of Leeds and the University of California San Diego received the Best Paper Award at RoboSoft for their innovative work in soft robotics. They developed a 1.8 mm soft growing robot that operates without internal pressure, allowing for safer interactions with delicate tissues during medical procedures. This advancement is significant as it addresses critical issues in minimally invasive surgeries, such as reducing friction and improving patient comfort. The robot's ability to grow and steer simultaneously enhances its usability, making it a promising tool for complex anatomical regions where precision is vital. Looking ahead, the implications of this technology could lead to improved patient outcomes in various medical applications. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
