Inbolt’s GuideNOW is made up of a 3D camera mounted on the robot, real-time workpiece localization AI, and GuideNOW Studio. | Source: Inbolt
Inbolt, a developer of real-time robot guidance systems, is expanding to the U.S. and Japan. The Paris-based company said it plans to replicate the footprint it has established in the European market. There, it powers computer vision-aided robots at major manufacturers, including Stellantis, Renault, Volkswagen, Ford, and Beko.
“Manufacturers today don’t have the luxury of time,” stated Albane Dersey, co-founder and chief operating officer of Inbolt. “They need to launch new products quickly, respond to shifts in consumer demand overnight, and continue production without costly retooling.”
“That level of agility starts with intelligent automation,” he added. “As we expand into the U.S. and Japan, we’re partnering with manufacturers that see the strategic advantage in 3D vision and AI powering systems that evolve with demand, switch models in hours, and keep production moving.”
AI helps robots achieve ROI
Founded in 2019, Inbolt claimed that its 3D vision and artificial intelligence enable industrial robots to adapt on the fly to dynamic environments, such as moving lines or cluttered pallets. The company said its fast refresh rate delivers precise part localization and real-time trajectory adjustments, even in challenging conditions.
Its AI, which is trained on CAD models in under 5 minutes, integrates with systems from FANUC, ABB, KUKA, and Universal Robots for scalable, flexible automation without costly sensors or rigid setups, asserted Inbolt.
Currently deployed in over 50 factories worldwide, Inbolt said it has powered more than 20 million robot cycles in the first half of 2025 alone. The company said it has enabled customers to achieve returns on automation. This includes reducing downtime by up to 97% and cutting part rejection rates by 80%.
Inbolt puts down roots in Detroit, Tokyo
By entering the U.S. and Japanese markets, the startup said it is accelerating its global expansion strategy and tapping into the growing demand for automation. Automation was ranked as the top strategic priority for 46% of global manufacturers over the next two years, according to Deloitte.
Backed by its $17 million Series A funding round in 2024, Inbolt is launching local teams in the U.S. and Japan. It is also kicking off a hiring drive for robotics application engineers to support its next phase of growth.
“Industrial robots that can see, think, and respond in real time are no longer optional – they’re essential,” Dersy continued. “But this is just the beginning. Our vision is a fully autonomous factory floor, where operations run 24/7 with zero downtime. This future of dark factories, powered by intelligent vision systems, is within reach. Because to build a factory that never stops, you need machines that can truly see, and that’s what Inbolt has brought to the global stage.”
Inbolt also said the move to the U.S. reflects America’s growing commitment to reshoring. The company is taking up residence in Newlab, an innovation center for startups based in Detroit.
Meanwhile, Tokyo will be home to Inbolt in Japan. The country ranks third globally in research and development spending. This makes it a ripe market for the startup as it pursues the automotive and consumer electronics markets, said Inbolt.
Inbolt won a 2023 RBR50 innovation award for its launch of GuideNow, a self-contained 3D vision servoing and real-time vision guidance system. The technology is designed to integrate easily with any industrial robot using a single Intel RealSense camera.
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