ECA Group buys into humanoid robotics to complement its range of terrestrial robots 3107154

Wandercraft, which was founded in 2012, is developing an exoskeleton for medical use which should help disabled people recover mobility and lead an independent life. The innovations of this young company are realizations of new theories on humanoid robotics: hybrid dynamic robotics. These have already made possible several advances in humanoid robots, including:
- Faster movement,
- Shocks between feet and ground,
- Better performance in unpredictable situations (slippery surfaces, uneven terrain, etc.).
The biggest impact of these advances has been to make walking more fluid, increasing its energy efficiency and multiplying its autonomy.

ECA and Wandercraft have signed a cooperation agreement, creating the jointly-owned company ECA Dynamics. The new company will be 51% owned by ECA and 49% by Wandercraft. Its purpose will be to combine Wandercraft's humanoid robotics technology with ECA's mobile robotics to develop bipedal or quadrupedal robots for use in defense and security applications.

ECA Group is investing in these developments with the conviction that future bipedal and quadrupedal robots will complement the Group's existing range of mobile robots and that Wandercraft's technology will make foot-borne robots independent enough to be useful. They will be able to get round obstacles and move in spaces where current robots are hampered by their wheels or tracks. Humanoid-based robots will be able, for instance, to inspect an accident zone or carry loads.

ECA Group has taken a stake of around 9% in Wandercraft. ECA will bring its support and skills to Wandercraft for the industrialization and production of its exoskeleton aimed at the medical market. Some of the components used to make the exoskeleton are already produced by Groupe Gorgé's 3D printing arm, Prodways.

Demonstrations of this new technology in action will be released in early September.