Wandelbots, the Dresden-based robotics start-up, has reached a significant milestone with its new NOVA operating system. At today's launch event in Dresden, the company presented the world's first manufacturer-independent operating system designed to simplify industrial robotics automation and make it more accessible. With NOVA, Wandelbots is tackling one of the biggest obstacles in the industry: the previously complex, expensive and often manufacturer-specific robot control system.
Christian Piechnick, CEO of Wandelbots, draws a bold comparison: "NOVA will be for robotics what Android is for smartphones and Windows is for PCs." The software not only allows companies to make their production more efficient, but also gives millions of software developers the opportunity to create their own applications. For small and medium-sized companies in particular, the solution offers great opportunities to increase automation and relieve workers of repetitive tasks.
Strategic change of course and the path to NOVA
However, the road to the current success was fraught with challenges. A look back at the year 2023 illustrates how Wandelbots had to undergo significant restructuring following a strategic realignment focused on software. At the time, the company was forced to lay off around 30% of its workforce, which was seen as a necessary step to respond to changing market conditions. With the shift from hardware to software development and the introduction of a universal operating system for robots, Wandelbots laid the foundation for NOVA and the long-term future of the company.
This step did not come without costs: Many employees had to leave the company during the restructuring phase. According to Piechnick, however, it was a "strategic development leap" to secure the future and create new prospects for the robotics market.
NOVA: An operating system with innovation and integration
NOVA pursues a "plan-build-operate" approach that covers the automation cycle from planning to implementation and scaling. This is made possible by state-of-the-art AI technologies and close cooperation with partners such as Microsoft, which ensure scalability and access to the latest AI developments. Through the cooperation with NVIDIA Omniverse, companies can also create digital twins and simulate automation solutions before implementation. For companies, this means that investments become safer and more efficient, as potential errors can be detected and corrected early on in the digital twin.
The manufacturer-independent interface is particularly innovative, as it enables robots from different manufacturers and models to be controlled via a single platform. Instead of working with outdated, manufacturer-specific programming languages, developers can work with Python and JavaScript to quickly implement customized solutions.
The importance for companies and the future of work
NOVA comes at the right time, as many industries are suffering from a shortage of qualified robot programmers. NOVA's simple user interface enables employees with no prior technical knowledge to use automation solutions. NOVA could usher in a new era of robotics, especially for SMEs, as the entry barriers are low and operation is intuitive.
NOVA also offers companies the opportunity to reduce their operating costs by centralizing the control and management of robots and reducing complexity. The uniform user interface simplifies the interaction between humans and robots, which is a significant advantage, especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers.
Background and history: Wandelbots and the democratization of robotics
Wandelbots was founded in 2017 in the TU Dresden environment and initially made a name for itself with an innovative method of robot control using a "pen" for programming. The vision of making robotics accessible to everyone drove the company forward and led to growing awareness and partnerships with big names such as BMW and VW.
2023 marked a decisive turning point: the decision to focus entirely on software led to short-term staff cuts, but also opened up new opportunities for the company in software development and the integration of AI solutions. With NOVA, Wandelbots is continuing this mission and is committed to making robotics more accessible and giving companies of all sizes the opportunity to use automation solutions effectively.
The open beta phase of NOVA is starting now. Interested companies and developers can already register to test the system and help shape the future of robotics.
