In a surprise move, KUKA, one of the global big four robot manufacturers, signed a letter of intent to acquire 51% of the shares of Reis Robotics, a 57-year old family-owned Germany-based robotics provider and systems integrator.

Reis employs 1,300 and has revenues of $178 million. The company's second-largest facility, in Kunshan China, has about 200 employees. Coincidentally, KUKA just opened their new Shanghai manufacturing facility. Kunshan and Shanghai are near each other.

No further details were available from the KUKA press release.