The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast

Danish robot maker Blue Workforce files for bankruptcy

By Eugene Demaitre | April 3, 2019


Danish cobot maker Blue Workforce files for bankruptcy

Blue Workforce A/S, whose Ragnar robot was designed to work alongside people, has filed for bankruptcy, according to Finans, a Danish newspaper. The company had been selling products and had global offices, but it failed to get sufficient financing.

Aalborg, Denmark-based Blue Workforce had 30 employees and offices in the U.S., China, and Switzerland, reported Finans. It had received DKK 30.3 million ($4.57 million U.S.) from investors including a Chinese partner and Danish funds, and its products were selling.

“It really hurts. The funding round was intended to secure new working capital, but there was no support in the owner’s circle,” said Preben Hjørnet, CEO of Blue Workforce. “Since we had no money for wages, we had to go bankrupt.”

Hjørnet founded the company in 2012. Ragnar was designed to be affordable for small and midsize enterprises and has been used in pick-and-place operations, mostly in food processing.

Blue Workforce’s systems include the Blue Reality digital twin software for ease of use, the Freke custom grippers, and the Hugin Eye sensor.

The company had signed a distribution agreement for its delta robots with Robot Nordic in February.


Blue Workforce down, but not out

Blue Workforce’s bankruptcy is the latest in a string of high-profile shutdowns, including those of collaborative robot maker Rethink Robotics, social robot startup Jibo, and tethered drone provider Aria Insights (formerly CyPhy Works). They are reminders that the robotics industry is competitive and that finding a commercially successful mix of technologies and markets is still very challenging. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are growing in number, but they’re a relatively small share of industrial automation.

At the same time, such failures demonstrate the innovative, experimental, and entrepreneurial spirit of the company founders, who often learn from their experiences and go on to build other automation businesses.

“I hope that the company will succeed in a new construction,” said Hjørnet. After all, the demand for robots like Ragnar is still growing. The global market for food robots will experience a compound annual growth rate of 12.7% from 2019 to 2025, reaching $3.1 billion, predicts Research and Markets.

In addition, Blue Workforce’s assets could be acquired and live on. For instance, The Hahn Group has acquired Rethink Robotics’ Sawyer cobot and Interra software and has plans to not only continue support, but also to improve the products.

After Rethink’s closure, most of its former employees were snapped up by other Boston-area robotics companies, including former competitors such as Universal Robots A/S. This redistribution of technical talent, always in short supply, can help grow the industry. The former employees of Blue Workforce might bring their expertise to companies around the robotics hub in Odense, Denmark.

About The Author

Eugene Demaitre

Eugene Demaitre was senior editor of The Robot Report from 2019-2020. Prior to working at WTWH Media, he was an editor at BNA (now part of Bloomberg), Computerworld, TechTarget, and Robotics Business Review. Demaitre has participated in robotics webcasts and conferences worldwide. He has a master's from the George Washington University and lives in the Boston area.

Comments

  1. Thomas Atwood says

    April 3, 2019 at 5:14 pm

    Very nice report, thank you Eugene Demaitre. He is an ace robotics journalist.

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

Laser-steering microrobot aims to refine minimally invasive surgery
WeRide
China’s WeRide raises another $110M for autonomous vehicles
Boston Dynamics robots dancing
How Boston Dynamics’ robots learned to dance
Leadec Diversified Automation
Leadec acquires Diversified Automation to expand robotics play

Robotics Year in Review

The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Robotics News

Robot Report Podcast

Teradyne’s acquisition strategy & the future of cobot

The Robot Report Podcast · Teradyne's acquisition strategy & the future of cobots

Sponsored Content

  • Doosan Robotics: Driving Innovation and Growth in Cobots
  • FORT Robotics Podcast: FORT Robotics on how to keep humans safe and in control of robots
  • Pallet Detection Systems Help Automated Forklifts Modernize Warehouse Operations
  • IES Servo Control Gripper
  • How to cut the cost of manufacturing

Tweets by RoboticTips

The Robot Report
  • Collaborative Robotics Trends
  • Field Robotics Forum
  • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Business Review
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2021 WTWH Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media. Site Map | Privacy Policy | RSS

Search The Robot Report

  • Research
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • Grippers / End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors / Sensing Systems
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • A.I. / Cognition
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Exoskeletons
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Markets
    • Agriculture
    • Defense / Security
    • Healthcare
    • Logistics
    • Manufacturing
    • Mining
  • Investments
  • Resources
    • COVID-19
    • Digital Issues
    • Publications
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
      • Robotics Business Review
    • RBR50
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness Direct
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • Healthcare Robotics Engineering Forum
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
  • Podcast