Company
German Bionic
German Bionic is a European robotics company that develops and manufactures AI-powered exoskeletons and wearable power suits for logistics, industry, and…
- Founded
- 2017
- HQ
- Augsburg, Germany
- Status
- private; filed for insolvency/bankruptcy Nov 2025
Models
2
Overview
German Bionic is a European robotics company that develops and manufactures AI-powered exoskeletons and wearable power suits for logistics, industry, and healthcare. Founded in 2017 in Augsburg, it was the first company to deliver connected exoskeletons for the workplace, with products including the Cray X, Apogee ULTRA, and Exia. The company filed for insolvency in November 2025 after a failed financing round and was acquired by Archimedes Partners in March 2026.
Verified record
- Verified deployments
- None on file
- Active incidents
- None on file
DEPLOY Intelligence
Market intelligence for physical AI
Analyst-grade signals, competitive tracking, and investment context across the global physical AI landscape. Launching 2026.
Key facts
CEO
Armin G. Schmidt
CTO
Dr. Peter Heiligensetzer
Co-CTO
Norma Steller
Co-Founders
Armin G. Schmidt, Dr. Peter Heiligensetzer, Dirk Pöschl, Michael Halbherr
Total funding
$52.1M across 3 rounds
Acquired by
Archimedes Partners (2026-03-03)
Insolvency filed
November 2025 (Augsburg District Court)
Employees
~70 (at time of insolvency)
Awards
CES Best of Innovation, Fast Company Innovation by Design, EIB Innovation Champion, Bavarian and German Founders Awards
Offices
Augsburg, Berlin, Boston, Tokyo
Hero image candidate
germanbionic.com (source: official press kit)
Data & sources
Web sources
2
2 sources backing this record.View all →
Models (2)
View all models →Paused
German Bionic Apogee
Powered (motor-driven), AI-controlled lightweight back-support exosuit (~up to 30 kg lift assistance) for logistics/manufacturing. Powered active assist. lifecycle=paused: maker filed for bankruptcy November 2025 (honest status).
Paused
German Bionic Cray X
Powered (motor-driven), AI-controlled back-support exosuit for industrial lifting; 5th generation adds active walking assistance. Powered active assist. lifecycle=paused: German Bionic filed for bankruptcy November 2025, so continuity is uncertain (honest status).
German Bionic on the deployment map
Where German Bionic's robots are verified operating. Explore the deployment map by place and type.
Relationships
Explainers
Plain-language answers to the questions people ask about German Bionic, from DEPLOY’s explainer library. Each is written in the language of the question and cross-checked against this registry.
- What is the German Bionic Cray X?
The Cray X is a powered, AI-controlled back-support exoskeleton for industrial lifting, worn by a worker. Its 5th generation adds walking assistance. German Bionic filed for bankruptcy in November 2025, so availability is uncertain.
- Is the Cray X a robot?
Not in the autonomous sense. The Cray X is a powered exoskeleton a person wears. It adds motorized force to the wearer's own lifting; the wearer stays fully in control. It does not move or make decisions on its own.
Current leadership (3)
- Armin G. Schmidt CEO & Co-Foundersecondary-verified
- Dr. Peter Heiligensetzer CTO & Co-Foundersecondary-verified
- Norma Steller Co-CTOsecondary-verified
Founders (4)
- Armin G. Schmidtno longer at company
- Dr. Peter Heiligensetzerno longer at company
- Dirk Pöschlno longer at company
- Michael Halbherrno longer at company
Former / Previously (2)
- Dirk Pöschl Co-Foundersecondary-verified
- Michael Halbherr Co-Foundersecondary-verified
Safety record
No incidents on record for German Bionic.
Only active incidents are counted. Retracted incidents are excluded from this summary but remain reachable at their canonical URLs.
Full safety record: incidents, sourcing, and exposure data →
Recent coverage
German Bionic in third-party press
Archimedes Partners Acquires German Bionic to Scale AI-Powered Exoskeleton Platform
Despite full order books: Why exoskeleton star German Bionic suddenly has to file for bankruptcy
KULR Expands into High-Growth Robotics Market with German Bionic AI-Powered Exoskeletons for U.S. Workforce
Peer companies
- Honda3 models
- Ekso Bionics2 models
- Lifeward2 models
- ATOUN1 model
- B-TEMIA1 model
- Bionik Laboratories1 model
Supplied by (1)
Actuators & motors
- Nidec-Shimpo Corporationcompany-levelSuper-flat actuator (FLEXWAVE strain-wave gear + Nidec BLDC, 90mm dia / 40.5mm / 170W)co-developsannounced
Inbound supply edges feeding this company directly or via the models it owns. Same source bar as the outbound view (verified against at least two strong sources).
Financial state
- Reporting basis
- private_reported
- Lifecycle stage
- distressed
- Counterparty risk class
- high
- Going concern
- flaggedStatus: filed for insolvency/bankruptcy Nov 2025 (private company).
Each numeric field carries its own basis marker. Aggregators report a number; this surface preserves the source class so verification depth travels with the value.
Partnerships (2)
- Archimedes Partners acquires German Bionic with Archimedes Partnersinvestment
- German Bionic x KULR Technology with KULR Technology Groupdistributionreported, not operationally verified
Funding rounds (3)
- Series A Extension2023-12-12
$16M
- Debt Financing2022-12-21
$16M
- Series A2020-12-01
$20M
Sources (2)
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/german-bionic-launches-5th-generation-cray-x-smart-ai-powered-exoskeleton-with-active-walking-assistance-outdoor-capabilities-and-other-pioneering-technologies-301442646.html
- https://www.engadget.com/german-bionic-debuts-its-lightest-powered-exosuit-to-date-at-ces-2023-133049208.html
Common questions
- What is German Bionic?
- German Bionic is a European robotics company that develops and manufactures AI-powered exoskeletons and wearable power suits for logistics, industry, and healthcare. Founded in 2017 in Augsburg, it was the first company to deliver connected exoskeletons for the workplace, with products including the Cray X, Apogee ULTRA, and Exia. The company filed for insolvency in November 2025 after a failed financing round and was acquired by Archimedes Partners in March 2026.
- What does German Bionic make?
- German Bionic has 2 robot models on the DEPLOY registry: German Bionic Apogee, German Bionic Cray X (German Bionic builds physical robots).
- Is German Bionic publicly traded?
- German Bionic is not an independent public company; it has been acquired, per the DEPLOY registry.
- Who competes with German Bionic?
- On the DEPLOY registry, peer companies to German Bionic building in the same form factors include Honda, Ekso Bionics, Lifeward, ATOUN.
- Where is German Bionic headquartered?
- German Bionic is headquartered in Augsburg, Germany.
- Where does German Bionic operate robots?
- German Bionic is a robot manufacturer and does not directly operate deployments on the DEPLOY registry. Its products are deployed by customer operators; see the company page for the verified deployment record.
- Is German Bionic a top robotics company?
- On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, funding, hiring, media, safety, and IP signals, German Bionic ranks in roughly the top under 1% of companies tracked by the registry.
- Is German Bionic safe?
- German Bionic has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.
Methodology: Verified · 2 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-07-09
Verification posture
Verified
Low confidence
Review state
Stable
Last reviewed 2026-07-09
Sources by quality tier
- 2
- unclassified
- Unclassified source
The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.
Methodology surface for German Bionic.Peer companies
- Honda3 models
- Ekso Bionics2 models
- Lifeward2 models
- ATOUN1 model
- B-TEMIA1 model
- Bionik Laboratories1 model
In the press
Recent coverage mentioning German Bionic from third-party publications. Automatically surfaced; not part of the verified registry record.
Archimedes Partners Acquires German Bionic to Scale AI-Powered Exoskeleton Platform
Archimedes Partners acquired German Bionic, strengthening its financial foundation after its November 2025 insolvency filing and supporting international scaling of its Physical…
Despite full order books: Why exoskeleton star German Bionic suddenly has to file for bankruptcy
German Bionic filed for insolvency at the Augsburg District Court in November 2025 after a final financing round collapsed, despite strong revenue growth and a full order book.
KULR Expands into High-Growth Robotics Market with German Bionic AI-Powered Exoskeletons for U.S. Workforce
KULR Technology Group partnered with German Bionic to distribute the Apogee ULTRA exoskeleton in North America and form a dedicated KULR AI and Robotics business unit.
German Bionic raises 6.3M for powered exoskeletons
German Bionic raised 6.3M in an expanded Series A funding round for its electrically powered exoskeletons including the Cray X.
Exoskeletons pass practical trial: Innovative technology takes the strain for warehouse employees
DACHSER tested German Bionic Cray X exoskeletons at its Magdeburg logistics center, finding positive results and planning rollout to additional locations including Ulm.
Robots relieve strain on the back: DPD Germany starts long-term test with exoskeletons
DPD Germany began a long-term test of seven German Bionic Cray X exoskeletons at logistics centers in Duisburg, Leupoldsgrun, and Malsch, following a successful two-month pilot.
Machine-readable surfaces
- Markdown mirror: /companies/german-bionic.md
- RSS feed: /companies/german-bionic/feed.xml
- JSON-LD: embedded in this page’s head
- REST API: /v1/companies/dbe8740b-1af7-4342-bec9-005b26276006
- Revision history: /companies/german-bionic/history
- Data documentation: /data
- Query this programmatically: Deploy MCP
Peer companies
- Honda3 models
- Ekso Bionics2 models
- Lifeward2 models
- ATOUN1 model
- B-TEMIA1 model
- Bionik Laboratories1 model
Video
The fully-connected Apogee robotic exoskeleton combines human intelligence with machine power to boost workplace safety and worker health. Easy to use and unob
Discover the German Bionic Apogee Exoskeleton at MTN Shop, revolutionizing warehouse efficiency and safety. With cutting-edge technology and data-driven perform
Bavaria-based mobility company German Bionic has developed an AI-powered exoskeleton that's designed to help workers carry out physically demanding jobs. #Tec
Built leaner, lighter and more comfortable for long-term use, Apogee makes exoskeletons more accessible than ever before. Discover the ease of use, deployment a
The German Bionic Exia sets a new benchmark in industrial exoskeleton technology. Delivering up to 38 kg (84 lbs) of adaptive lift support per movement, Exia is
Exia – the world’s most powerful exoskeleton. Built from the ground up with Augmented AI and billions of real-world data points, Exia delivers unmatched lower-b
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“Getting older feels less worrying when your caregivers have technology like this.” – This quote from a patient featured in a recent ORF TV piece says it all.
I continue to bang on this drum about how technology should completely overwhelm the construction industry soon. I’m talking about autonomous vehicles, I’m talk
The Bavaria-based mobility company has developed an AI-powered exoskeleton that's designed to help workers carry out physically demanding jobs.
Exia – the world’s most powerful exoskeleton. Built from the ground up with Augmented AI and billions of real-world data points, Exia delivers unmatched lower-b
German bionic, a leading global robotics company announced its new partnership with Servco pacific...To introduce exoskeletons to Hawaii. Hawaii News, Hawaii W
Have you ever wanted your very own Iron Man suit? Well, today we talk with Megan Kennelly of German Bionic, whose exoskeleton suits are making this dream a rea
Late last year, German Bionic announced a $20 million Series A round led — in part — by Samsung Catalyst Fund. It was a curious alliance, given that Samsung h
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Tallman Robotics Limited is a R&D, and manufacturer of Intelligent Electric Grippers, Electric Linear Actuators, Electric Linear Motors, Linear Cylinders, Preci
Reality vs attention
German Bionic draws attention at the 82nd percentile but verifies reality at the 95th percentile among exoskeletons. Hype Gap -13, 8th widest among exoskeletons.
Analysis
Clean safety record across 6 verified deployments. Funding runway warrants monitoring: last known round 31 months ago.
Signal flags
Dimension breakdown
Verified signal
Attention (reach, not merit)
DEPLOY Intelligence scores are computed from verified registry data: confirmed deployments, disclosed funding rounds, regulatory filings, active job listings, video viewership, and press coverage. Confidence ratings reflect data availability. Scores update nightly.
DEPLOY Indices — verified vs claimed
Last computed: Jul 14, 2026