NODE Robotics – Software that moves at the ARENA2036 research campus

Mobile robots that move safely through industrial environments, coordinate material flows, and interact with manual vehicles in mixed fleets have long been a reality. NODE Robotics—a company that has closely linked its development to the ARENA2036 research campus—has made a significant contribution to this.

Origins and development on campus

Founded in 2020 as a spin-off from Fraunhofer IPA, NODE Robotics took advantage of the campus's unique structure from the very beginning: a real industrial environment, open collaboration, and direct access to partners from science and industry.

The research campus offered more than just office space. It served as a development space and testing ground. New software functions could be tested not only in the laboratory, but also directly in an industrial context. Feedback from ongoing processes was immediately incorporated into further development. This close exchange significantly accelerated product maturity.

Global application and technology platform

Today, NODE Robotics employs 22 people. More than 1,500 mobile robots worldwide are equipped with the company's software, including at BMW. The platform supports over 50 robot types and enables manufacturer-independent fleet concepts. Companies benefit from high flexibility and long-term investment security.

Current developments

A current example of further development on campus is a system for real-time integration of manual industrial trucks into fleet coordination. This makes mixed operating environments more transparent, reduces bottlenecks, and allows processes to be planned more efficiently.

Significance for the ecosystem

The development of NODE Robotics exemplifies the impact that the Industry-on-Campus concept of the ARENA2036 research campus can have. Start-ups find not only infrastructure here, but also an ecosystem that promotes innovation. The proximity to industry partners, shared test environments, and long-term collaborations enable research results to be translated into marketable applications at an early stage.

NODE Robotics is thus a success story for the strategic integration of science and industry—and an example of how research at the ARENA2036 research campus can lead to entrepreneurial success.

You can find out more in the official article published by the Research Campus funding initiative.