Agile Robots Company Profile: History, Acquisitions, Figures and Products
Updated: 7 days ago
Agile Robots is a Munich robotics company that has grown in seven years from a research spin-off into a group with more than 2,500 employees. It was founded in 2018 out of the German Aerospace Center, reported revenue of about EUR 200 million for 2024 and launched an industrial humanoid in November 2025. This profile sets out its history, acquisitions, figures and products.
Agile Robots at a Glance
Fact | Detail |
Company | Agile Robots SE |
Founded | 2018, as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center, DLR |
Founder and CEO | Zhaopeng Chen |
Headquarters | Munich, Germany |
Employees | More than 2,500, from about 60 countries |
Research staff | More than 1,000 AI and robotics specialists |
Robots deployed | More than 20,000 |
Revenue | About EUR 200 million in 2024 |
Stock listing | None; privately held |
Company History
Zhaopeng Chen founded Agile Robots in 2018 with technology from DLR's robotics institute, which is known for force-sensitive lightweight arms. The company says it has doubled its revenue every year. It has grown by acquisition as well as organically.
Acquisitions
Year | Company | What it added |
2023 | Franka Emika | Force-sensitive research robot arms, now Franka Robotics |
2025 | thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering | About 650 automation specialists and 10 sites in Europe and North America; to operate as Krause Automation |
The thyssenkrupp deal was announced on November 26, 2025, subject to regulatory approval, at an undisclosed price. It gives Agile Robots system integration capacity for automotive production lines.
Products
Robot arms: force-sensitive collaborative arms, including the Diana 7.
Agile ONE: an industrial humanoid robot, launched in November 2025.
Franka Research 3: research arm from its Franka subsidiary.
Software and AI: its own control software and data.
Automation systems: complete production solutions, strengthened by Krause Automation.
The company makes its hardware in-house and plans to extend into autonomous mobile robots and modular systems.
Agile Robots product reviews on All Things Cobots
Leadership
Name | Role |
Zhaopeng Chen | Founder and Chief Executive Officer |
Can You Invest in Agile Robots?
Not on a public market. It is privately held.
Strengths and Challenges
Strengths
Very fast growth in revenue and headcount.
Research roots at DLR and a large engineering team.
A range from arms to humanoids to complete lines.
Challenges
Integration of large acquisitions.
A humanoid that has only just been launched.
No published profit figures.
Current Catalogue Coverage
Catalogue checked on 15 October 2026: 1 associated product records. The links below are representative entries, rather than a claim that every historical model is currently available.
Agile Robots FAQ
Where is Agile Robots based?
In Munich, Germany.
Who founded Agile Robots?
Zhaopeng Chen, in 2018, as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center.
Does Agile Robots own Franka?
Yes. It acquired Franka Emika in 2023.
What is Agile ONE?
Agile Robots' industrial humanoid robot, launched in November 2025.
How big is Agile Robots?
More than 2,500 employees and revenue of about EUR 200 million in 2024.
Sources
The Robot Report: Agile Robots acquires thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering
Franka Robotics: company
