Agile Robots, a Munich-based provider of AI-powered robotic solutions, has completed the acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering's assets in Europe and North America. The deal, initially announced in November 2025, strengthens Agile Robots' position in next-generation automation and opens access to new growth markets and OEM partnerships.
The acquired business will operate as Krause Automation, preserving its 75-year legacy in automated production systems. By combining Agile Robots' AI capabilities with Krause Automation's engineering and implementation expertise, the expanded portfolio now spans from industrial robots to full plant integration, offering end-to-end services from planning to project execution.
Key takeaways
- Krause Automation will expand into consumer electronics, medical technology, and logistics sectors.
- Physical AI—systems that perceive, learn from industrial data, and adapt in real time—is central to the combined entity's strategy.
- Agile Robots brings over 20,000 deployed robotic solutions and research roots from the German Aerospace Center (DLR).
- Dr. Rolf-Günther Nieberding, former CEO of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering, will lead Krause Automation.
The acquisition signals a strong move for German industrial automation, leveraging engineering heritage and AI to deliver smart manufacturing solutions globally.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2026-04-01 · “Agile Robots closes acquisition of thyssenkrupp Automation Engineering”