Agile Robots, the Munich-based AI robotics company backed by SoftBank, is making significant strides in the industrial robotics sector, positioning itself as one of Europe’s leading players in the emerging “Physical AI” revolution.
The company, which became one of Europe’s first robotics unicorns in 2021 after SoftBank’s Vision Fund 2 led a $220 million Series C funding round, has been especially active this year. In 2026, Agile Robots unveiled its industrial humanoid robot Agile ONE, designed to collaborate safely alongside humans in factories and complex industrial settings.
The company also announced a strategic partnership with Google DeepMind to enhance robotic intelligence and completed the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, significantly bolstering its capabilities in industrial automation. Agile ONE was prominently showcased at Hannover Messe 2026, highlighting the firm’s ambitions in advanced manufacturing and Physical AI.
Founded in 2018 as a spin-off from the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Agile Robots develops sophisticated AI-powered robotics solutions for the manufacturing, automotive, electronics, healthcare, and logistics industries. Its technology combines cutting-edge hardware with intelligent software to tackle intricate tasks that have traditionally required human dexterity and decision-making.
The developments align closely with SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son’s long-term vision for robotics as a cornerstone of the next wave of artificial intelligence. SoftBank has continued to expand its robotics investments, viewing the integration of AI with physical machines as a transformative opportunity.
“Agile Robots is emerging as one of Europe’s strongest champions in the AI-robotics space,” industry observers note, with SoftBank’s backing providing the capital and global network needed to scale rapidly and compete in a market increasingly dominated by advanced automation demands.
As demand for intelligent automation grows across global supply chains, Agile Robots’ recent momentum underscores Europe’s potential to lead in high-value industrial robotics rather than simply adopting technologies developed elsewhere.
The company’s progress signals a maturing European robotics ecosystem capable of producing commercially viable humanoid and AI-driven systems for real-world industrial applications. With major partnerships and strategic acquisitions underway, Agile Robots appears well-positioned for further expansion in 2026 and beyond.
