Flexiv Secures Investment to Advance Adaptive Robotics

Flexiv has secured a strategic investment from Invus to accelerate the development and global expansion of its adaptive robotics technology. Known for its integrated force-sensing systems, Flexiv enables robots to respond dynamically to changing environments rather than relying on fixed programming. The funding will support continued research, product development, and market growth, strengthening the company’s position in collaborative and force-guided robotics applications across a range of industrial use cases.

The Rizon collaborative robot collection. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Flexiv: Industry Leader In Flexible, Adaptive Robot Control

Typical industrial robots rely on fixed programming and taught positions. The robot controller will then develop a path between the points. This fixed-style robot control does not work well in applications where the position needs to change dynamically in response to the environment. Flexiv is well known within North America and China with its proprietary force-sensing technology. Recently, Flexiv has secured a strategic investment from Invus to further expand its research and development and global sales.

A Flexiv robot being used to sand a car door. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Flexible vs Fixed Positioning

Not all industrial robot applications require taught positions; some, such as deburring, require the position to change dynamically as the environment changes. These applications typically use a sensor between the robot and the tool to measure the force being applied. As the force grows, the robot controller can adjust the position as needed.

In a deburring application, the robot can adjust its path slightly to avoid damaging the tool or sanding medium. In a pressing application, the force-sensing technology can detect excessive or insufficient interference and correct it as needed.

The Flexiv robot being used in a polishing application without any guarding. Image used courtesy of Flexiv

Flexiv Robotics

Specializing in collaborative robots, Flexiv is a robot manufacturer that has developed its own integrated force-sensing technology, enabling the robot to adjust its motion profile based on force-sensing feedback.

The Rizon product line is a human-inspired collaborative robot with seven degrees of freedom. Designed to assist with human tasks, the Rizon robot performs them in ways similar to how a human would. AI is built into the robot and used in conjunction with a vision system to perform hand-eye coordination tasks, while optimized force control technology continuously maintains the robot's posture and dexterity.

Delta Robot With Force Guidance

A delta robot is a fast-moving, four-axis robot that moves components quickly and accurately, with a small footprint. The Moonlight robot is a delta robot equipped with Flexiv’s force-sensing technology. With three degrees of freedom, the Moonlight robot can be mounted horizontally or vertically and is fully compatible with Flexiv’s hardware and software catalog.

As robot technology advances, the number of applications we can use them in grows, but this advancement doesn’t come without capital investments, such as the one Flexiv received from Invus. With this investment, Flexiv will be able to grow its global sales and continue innovating and expanding its product catalog.