ECA : ECA Group buys into humanoid robotics

information fournie par Actusnews •01/07/2015 à 07:00

ECA Group has taken a non-controlling stake in Wandercraft, one of the few companies specializing in cutting-edge technology for dynamic robotics. It has also created a new company, ECA Dynamics.

Wandercraft, which was founded in 2012, is developing an exoskeleton for medical use which should help disabled or ill 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.

The new company, ECA Dynamics, will help fill out ECA Group's range of terrestrial robots.

With this move, ECA Group has confirmed its strategy of offering customers complementary robots capable of working together to fulfill any mission tasks. In this case, humanoid robots will work alongside the Group's airborne drones (IT180) and land drones (Caméléon, Cobra, etc.).

ECA Group has taken a stake of around 9% in Wandercraft for an investment of around €500 thousand. It also gets warrants that allow it to add to its stake until May 31, 2017. 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.

Two videos of the new technology in action will be released in early September.

To find out more, go to ECA Group's website:

http://www.ecagroup.com

To find out more, go to Wandercraft's website:

http://www.wandercraft.eu/

The Actusnews.com website:

http://actusnews.com

ECA Group

The ECA Group is renowned for its expertise in robotics, automated systems, simulation and industrial processes. Ever since 1936 it has been developing complete innovative technological solutions to perform complex missions in hostile or restrictive environments.

Its products are used by a demanding international clientèle requiring the highest levels of safety and efficiency, mainly in the sectors of defence, maritime, aerospace, simulation, energy and industrial equipment.

In 2013, the Group reported revenue of 94 M€ for its three Departments: Robotics, Aerospace and Simulation.

ECA Group is a Groupe Gorgé company.

ECA Group is listed on Euronext Paris Compartiment C.

Indices : SBF 250, CAC SMALL 90 et CAC IT- ISIN code : FR0010099515
Mnémo : ECASA - Code Bloomberg : ECASA:FP

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ECA Group

Raphaël
GORGE
President
T : +33 (0)1 44 77 94 00

Guenaël
GUILLERME
Managing Director
T : +33 (0)4 94 08 90 00