Listen to this article

maxon will provide custom drives for Fourier Intelligence’s rehabilitation robotics systems. | Credit: maxon

maxon Group and Fourier Intelligence today announced they are entering into a global strategic partnership. Fourier Intelligence, a Shanghai-based  startup founded in 2015, will use maxon’s precision drive systems for the development of its rehabilitation robotics systems.

Fourier already uses maxon’s BLDC motors in its ExoMotus X2 exoskeleton, a powered lower-limb exoskeleton. maxon will now be involved in Fourier’s Exoskeleton & Robotics Open Platform System (EXOPS), an open platform for research and development of exoskeleton and robotics systems. maxon will provide a variety of custom drive solutions with motors, gearheads, encoder and controllers to aspiring engineers who want to develop robotics solutions for rehabilitation services.

“The partnership between maxon and Fourier is a powerful combination,” said Eugen Elmiger, CEO maxon Group. “Fourier’s understanding of the interplay between modern rehabilitation robotics and technological products perfectly complements maxon’s philosophy of making the world a little better with our precision drive systems. Together, we will be able to generate industry-leading technology products and platforms.”

maxon also recently announced a partnership with Switzerland-based legged robotics developed ANYbotics. maxon will develop and produce actuators for ANYbotics’ ANYmal quadruped robot that is designed for inspection and monitoring. The robot can climb stairs and inclines, and it could also be used to take on dangerous maintenance tasks.

maxon has 60 years of experience making brushed and brushless DC motors, as well as gearheads, encoders, controllers, and entire mechatronic systems. Its drives are used in highly demanding applications such as NASA’s Mars rovers, surgical tools, and humanoid robots. The company, which won a 2020 RBR50 innovation award, has more than 3,000 employees at nine production sites and sales representation in more than 30 countries.

Robin Phillips, head of the maxon SpaceLab, was a guest recently on The Robot Report Podcast. maxon produced 10 drives for NASA’s Perseverance Rover, which is scheduled to land on Mars on February 18. The discussion, which you can listen to below starting at the 42:32 mark, hits on building and testing components for space, mistaking life on Mars for human skin cells, sending humans to Mars, and how maxon has adapted to COVID-19.