Neura Robotics has relocated production of its cognitive robots from China back to Germany. Its humanoid machines are designed for a variety of applications – from household chores to welding.
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00:00This is a promotional video starring the latest creation of German robotics manufacturer Neura.
00:08The intelligent humanoid machine is fitted with AI software and will one day, its designers say,
00:14see to a range of tasks in both domestic and industrial settings.
00:18Its name, accordingly, 4NE1.
00:22The creator of this new generation of robots is David Rieger,
00:26the creative mind and founder of Neura.
00:32I'd been a social worker in San Francisco, which meant working with people.
00:38I liked it there, but it wasn't really sustainable, so my idea was then to use technology to help people.
00:49He came into contact with a Swiss family-run company that offered him the chance to develop his own robots.
00:57Although he never studied engineering at university, experts helped him to learn the technology.
01:04At first, he couldn't find a German investor for his vision of building robots.
01:09But it was a different story in China, where he found a shareholder willing to take risks and give him the necessary funding.
01:16But then tensions between China and the West worsened.
01:21It's already a minor economic war being waged by those at the top.
01:26Companies like ours don't normally benefit, with only downsides due to higher barriers.
01:32But there's no use crying about it or stubbornly trying to resist it. We have to adapt.
01:40So he went back to Germany.
01:43With the Chinese shareholder out, Western investors backed the company with 100 million euros.
01:49The founder is convinced it was the right move, despite the higher energy costs and wages compared to China.
01:57We've seen that it can be done in Germany too, automation and the use of robots.
02:03And as all the core technology is in any case built in Germany, why not build the entire product here?
02:12The company relocated to the Stuttgart area, which has a strong tradition in mechanical engineering.
02:20David Reger bought up numerous old industrial halls and warehouses on this road.
02:26He owns half the street.
02:29A small motor connected to AI software is both the heart and brain of his robots.
02:35A motor that also has Chinese buyers.
02:41The fact that China is tapping into our know-how will happen one way or another, as is the case with all countries.
02:49I'd say that we in Germany just have to run faster, supplying the technologies and offering them to other countries around us, so that we can remain in this position.
03:01Germany is known for that, developing technologies for the world.
03:06What makes the robots a success is a combination of original AI software, original design and a whole range of sensors.
03:15This machine can balance a ball on a tray, whichever direction it takes.
03:20In effect, it mimics the complex human sense of touch.
03:25For robots too, it's a case of learning by doing, and sometimes things still get a bit messy.
03:31Human worker shortages mean that a huge market is emerging for household robots.
03:38We in Germany want to be the first. We don't want to miss out on this market.
03:42We want to be pioneers, and I'd say we already are.
03:46Take this mouse.
03:49Okay, I saw it. It's pointing to a place where I should place. Okay, I got it.
03:54The robot doesn't really care what exactly it handles. It just does it.
04:00It also feels when it's put it down.
04:04In collaboration with a specialist company, Neura has launched a welding robot that's suitable for small and medium-sized companies.
04:11The big selling point? It's cost-effective and enables rapid automation.
04:17At the mechanical engineering company KETEK, the boss often has to do the work himself because he doesn't have the human resources.
04:26Working with the robot makes repeatedly welding the same parts much easier and makes the job less monotonous.
04:33It's especially popular with our younger trainees.
04:37We can get our foot in the door a bit to get the younger generation involved in welding technology.
04:44Programming the iBot robot is a great way to get the younger generation involved in the welding industry.
04:51The iBot robot is a great way to get the younger generation involved in the welding industry.
04:57Programming the iBot 1 means they get to play around with it and try things out.
05:09While there is a shortage of young talent in many industries, the robotics company receives 2,500 applications every month from all over the world.
05:20Neura currently has 260 employees from 35 nations.
05:24United in the mission to push boundaries in the world of robotics.
05:31The young team also includes software developers from India.
05:55We can either sell robots or manufacture robots over there and sell over there.
06:01So from a business opportunity perspective, India is currently a big market.
06:08The robot manufacturer still has the charm of a start-up company where every idea is welcome.
06:14The development department is housed in a form of furniture warehouse.
06:19This is where new products are created that are still being kept secret.
06:24Behind this cover is a new type of sensor that can distinguish people from machines.
06:33We've developed a sensor that above all recognizes the characteristics of a human.
06:39I don't talk about such things on camera, but these are core technologies of ours that I've been working on for 15 years.
06:48So I'm careful with information.
06:50The goals are certainly forward-looking. Neura aims to build around 5 million robots by 2030.
06:58For all manner of applications.
07:02This year the company is expecting sales to hit 50 million euros.
07:08David Reger has a vision and says that in the not-too-distant future, robotics might surpass car manufacturing as generally.
07:17Robotics might surpass car manufacturing as Germany's leading industry.