A Barcelona startup promises adaptable robots that handle chaotic warehouse tasks. Investors bet on rapid deployment as the team scales hiring and showrooms. Although humanoid robots are not yet capable of fully replacing factory workers, the industry is already facing a labor shortage and is seeking rapid automation without compromises. At the center of attention is Theker – a startup in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics that seeks to go beyond narrow specialization and designated tasks. “If you always have to put the same cookie in the same box, it works flawlessly, but most processes aren’t like that.” – Carla Gómez Cano Theker is designed for the more chaotic reality of modern warehousing and manufacturing. Unlike humanoid robots with fixed forms, as in the Boston Dynamics example, Theker machines are built with reconfigurability in mind: arms, limbs and the chassis can be quickly replaced or scaled for different tasks – from sorting parcels to packaging clothes or handling bottles and cans in a warehouse. Confirmation of Theker’s ambitions – Inditex, the parent company of Zara, became one of the early investors. This signals that the company’s goals go beyond retail and are aimed at more complex industrial environments. Such plans have made Theker one of the hottest European startups, attracting investors: the Barcelona-based startup recently raised $85 million in a Series A round, which the company calls “the largest Series A round in robotics in Europe”. The round was led by the American venture capital firm CRV, and among the investors are also Samsung and Aglaé Ventures – the investment arm associated with Bernard Arnault of LVMH. “Samsung is not yet a client, but negotiations between the parties are progressing at an advanced stage.” – Carla Gómez Cano “We did not build Theker to launch pilot projects.” – Carla Gómez Cano and Jiaqiang Ye Zhu To prove its capabilities in practice, Theker opened a showroom in the center of Barcelona and plans to open new sites across Europe, the United States, and Asia, while simultaneously expanding its staff in technology, implementation, and sales. “We have already received about 15,000 applications for jobs and are now screening candidates very carefully,” said Carla Gómez Cano. According to her, the team could grow from dozens to about 120 people by the end of the year. Leaving its headquarters in Barcelona, Theker confirms its belief in the European robotics hub and in the broader European startup ecosystem, which continues to develop and attract investments. The funding reinforces expectations about the growth pace of the general-purpose robotics industry in Europe and signals growing investor confidence in the potential of European tech companies in the global economy. European Center for Innovation in Robotics The advantages of Theker’s universal platform lie in its adaptability: the ability to quickly reconfigure systems for various production scales and types makes it competitive in warehouses, logistics centers, and even on assembly lines. In the future, the company plans to continue building showrooms and technology platforms, enabling expanding partnerships with major brands and industrial groups, thereby extending its influence on the European market and beyond. In summary, investor interest in Theker and its ambition to transform outdated processes into more dynamic systems demonstrates that general-purpose robotics has substantial growth potential in the global economy, with a focus on Europe as a center of innovation.

Source: mezha.net

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