Niryo

Following a fundraising process led by Ader Finance, Niryo has raised 10 million euros from Bpifrance, Innovacom, Go Capital, and its historical investors.

French startup Niryo designs and markets compact, lightweight robots. Its founder, Marc Henri Frouin, describes his product as a "desktop robot," easily transportable and simple to set up. The objective is clear: to offer an affordable robotics and automation solution to democratize the use of robots. On Thursday, October 5, the company announced a 10 million euro fundraising round aimed at accelerating the commercialization of its robots.

Marc Henri Frouin explains that they "developed everything from scratch," from the motorization to the mechanical design and embedded technologies. Niryo currently markets the third generation of its robot, the Ned 2. Weighing approximately 8 kilograms, it can be transported in a suitcase and set up quickly. This six-axis robot is equipped with six motors, allowing it to perform manipulations in all dimensions around it. It is designed for simple tasks, such as picking up an object at point A and placing it at point B. Thanks to its compact size, the robot can carry a payload of 500 grams within a 48-centimeter radius.

Ned 2 is designed for users who cannot utilize traditional industrial robotics, which is often considered too heavy, complex, and cumbersome. Niryo has thus developed its own software, Niryo Studio, a "no-code" programming interface designed to simplify robot usage. Thanks to sensors integrated into the motors, users simply need to physically move the robotic arm to indicate and record points of interest.

For example, a textile company uses Ned 2 to automate the placement of jean pockets on a sewing machine. In laboratories, the robot can pick up test tubes and place them into analysis machines.

The gripper at the end of the robot is 3D-printed, allowing its shape and size to be adapted according to the objects to be handled. "We remain focused on handling standard robotic objects, meaning rigid and non-slippery products," the founder specifies. A computer is directly integrated into the robot, along with various sensors measuring temperature, current, vibrations, and sound. Ultimately, Niryo aims to develop predictive maintenance solutions and detect human presence or accessories near the robot. For now, a light ring and sound signals alert the user in case of activity.

The startup has installed an assembly line at its premises in Wambrechies, Northern France. "Initially, 100% of our components came from China. Today, over 40% of our suppliers are French," emphasizes Marc Henri Frouin. Injected plastic parts, springs, wiring, and electronic boards are now predominantly produced in France. Despite sometimes higher costs, Niryo believes it benefits in the long term from advantages in transport and component quality. Seven people currently assemble the robots and perform daily quality tests.

Currently, about a hundred robots are produced each year. However, thanks to this fundraising, the company plans to triple or quadruple its production in the coming years. Since its creation in 2017, Niryo has sold nearly 3,000 robots and aims to reach 4,000 annual sales within four years. With around forty employees, the company also plans to recruit between 15 and 20 new staff.

With this funding, the Lille-based company aims to accelerate its commercial development in France, Germany, and the United States. The teams are also working on new robot models that could be commercialized in the coming years. Niryo notably plans to offer robots capable of carrying heavier loads or providing greater agility. The various technological building blocks developed for Ned 2, whether it's the motorization, embedded intelligence, robotics, or software, can easily be reused to design other types of robots.

The Ned 2 is sold starting from 4,000 euros, excluding accessories. Cameras, grippers, and conveyors can be added as needed. After primarily marketing its first versions, Niryo One and Ned, to universities, the startup is now targeting pharmaceutical and cosmetic laboratories. Its first clients include La Poste, Siemens, and Coca Cola, demonstrating the existence of a real market for this type of solution.

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