JV for industrial humanoid robots in Europe

Funditec Intelligence, Funditec’s technological unit specialising in artificial intelligence for physical autonomous systems, and Fagor Arrasate, a cooperative belonging to the Mondragon Corporation and a specialist in customised design and manufacturing of industrial equipment and automation systems, have reached a strategic agreement to create Primus Robotics. 

“This new company will be dedicated to the design, development and manufacture of industrial humanoid robots capable of operating in highly demanding environments with strict requirements for precision, safety and availability. The new joint venture, equally owned (50/50) by both organisations, aims to become the first to offer industrial AI‑driven robotic solutions of European origin. To achieve this, it combines Funditec’s expertise in applied artificial intelligence with our engineering, industrial automation, robotics and advanced manufacturing capabilities,” said Fagor Arrasate.

It highlighted the Basque Country as one of Europe’s best-positioned industrial regions to lead the development and production of this new generation of humanoid robots. The robots, it said, will be designed to operate in complex environments, integrating safely and efficiency with advanced machinery, production systems and logistics processes.

Intelligent robots for industrial processes

The company’s first product will be Primus P1, a humanoid robot conceived to perform manipulation tasks, operational support, maintenance and assistance in production processes. 

“Thanks to its proprietary edge-AI operating system, Primus OS, these systems will enable the expansion of automation into environments originally designed for human interaction, facilitating seamless collaboration between robots, operators and industrial machinery,” added Fagor Arrasate.

It is anticipated that there will be an initial industrialisation phase with a production capacity of around 200 robots per year. The plan is then to progressively scale up to more than 3,000 units annually. This phase will take place in a 2,500m² facility prepared at Fagor’s plant in Mondragon. The first functional prototype of Primus P1 is expected by late 2027. After Primus P1, new versions will follow with expanded capabilities for additional sectors.

“Manufacturing humanoid robots at our Arrasate plant is the most ambitious bet that we have made in recent years. We are a technology‑driven company with decades of experience integrating automation, robotics and precision engineering to automate our clients’ production lines. Now we are taking a further step: together with Funditec, we are creating a technological platform that combines artificial intelligence, advanced control and precision manufacturing to produce the robot that will operate within those lines, freeing workers from heavy, repetitive and dangerous tasks,” outlined Juan Etxebarria, Business Development Director, Fagor Arrasate, 

“The creation of Primus Robotics comes at a time when European industry is accelerating the integration of humanoid robots into processes originally designed for human intervention. Automotive companies have already launched pilot projects in European plants, confirming that humanoid robots are no longer experimental but have become a new category of industrial systems,” added Fagor.

“The creation of Primus Robotics represents a strategic milestone in the development of applied artificial intelligence for mission‑critical systems. This agreement allows us to accelerate the transition towards real production environments and to strengthen Europe’s capability to develop what we call physical AI — artificial intelligence oriented toward autonomous physical systems,” concluded Alejandro Echeverría, General Director, Funditec Intelligence.