🔧 Old school meets physical AI: Thyssenkrupp is selling its automation engineering division to Agile Robots. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Classic German industrial engineering is being fused with robotics + AI from China.
🚀 From steel to AI powerhouse: Agile Robots is growing to over 3,000 robotics and AI experts, strengthened by around 650 specialists from the TK division. The new unit will operate as Krause Automation — a homage to the traditional company founded in 1950, now remixed for the high-tech era.
🤖 From autos to robots: Agile Robots plans to shift TK’s division from automotive into electronics, medtech, logistics, and intralogistics — and starting in 2026, it will build the humanoid robot “Agile One” in Munich. It’s designed to screw in battery packs, lift components, and take over logistics jobs in factories.
🇺🇸 US push included: TK brings production sites and structures in Europe & North America. For Agile Robots, this is a shortcut to gain a foothold in the US more quickly — a major advantage as Smart Manufacturing receives heavy subsidies there.
🤝 “Best & Fair Owner” deal: Agile Robots, TK, and IG Metall agreed in advance on transparency and employment protection. Ongoing restructuring in Bremen and Chemnitz will continue as planned.
Big Picture
Thyssenkrupp is shedding its low-margin machinery business and restructuring its automotive segment for the capital markets. The auto industry is under massive pressure, and suppliers need to reposition themselves. Agile Robots, through this deal, gains decades of automotive engineering expertise, global customers, and 10 locations — and combines all of it with physical AI.
This is the blueprint for the next industrial growth wave: intelligent factories, shorter innovation cycles, and globally scalable production.
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