Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology offer
- POD Reference
- TOSK20260812015
- Term of Validity
- 13 August 2026 - 13 August 2027
- Company's Country
- Slovakia
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
General information
- Short Summary
- SACL (Adaptive Control Layer) is a real-time AI software layer between the robot controller and the vision or sensor system. It continuously adjusts trajectory and process parameters, so a robot handles a product variant change without reprogramming and without stopping the line. It installs on existing robots and is vendor independent. A first automotive pilot achieved a 10-second cycle and an 18% gain in line efficiency. We seek pilot customers, integrators and an investor.
- Full Description
-
PROBLEM ADDRESSED
European manufacturing is shifting towards personalisation and short production runs. Small and medium-sized enterprises have to produce diverse products on the same lines, yet industrial robots are built for repetition, not adaptation. Every variant change means stopping production, calling in a programmer and losing part of the line capacity. For smaller batches automation therefore often does not pay off at all, and the SME segment remains unautomated.
TECHNOLOGY DESCRIPTION
SACL (Adaptive Control Layer) is a middleware layer placed between the robot control system and the AI/vision system. It does not replace the robot's original controller – it adds the ability to make decisions in real time based on image and sensor data.
Key functions:
• Real-time trajectory adaptation – the robot changes its motion while running, not only between batches.
• Sensor-based adaptation – compensates for deviations in material, position and part dimensions within milliseconds.
• Semi-autonomous operation – the operator selects the product type, not the program; no programmer is needed for a variant change.
• Robot vendor independence – designed for integration with Mitsubishi, KUKA, ABB, FANUC and other robots through open interfaces.
• Installation on existing robots – no hardware replacement or workcell rebuild required.
STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION
The technology builds on 20 years of SIMAP GROUP operational practice in industrial automation, more than 450 completed installations and its position as an authorised Mitsubishi Electric partner for Slovakia. A first pilot deployment took place on an automotive assembly line: a 10-second cycle time and an 18% increase in line efficiency were achieved. The technology is under development towards a full version 1.0; the roadmap covers the architecture and AI core, vision system integration, pilot testing and a commercial release within a 12-month horizon.
APPLICATION AREAS
Assembly and handling with high variability, machine tending, mixed-product palletising, quality inspection combined with motion correction, and made-to-order production in mechanical engineering, electronics, plastics processing and the automotive supply chain.
BUSINESS MODEL
A combination of a licence per robotic cell, integration services and an annual service (SaaS) fee. Specific commercial terms are provided after a non-disclosure agreement is signed.
FORM OF COOPERATION
The technology is offered under a commercial agreement (joint deployment, distribution, pilot installation) and also under an investment agreement – SACL development is organised as a separate entity and the company is in discussions regarding the entry of a capital or strategic partner. Detailed materials including the financial model are available after signing an NDA. - Advantages and Innovations
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• The robot adapts while running – a product variant change requires no line stop and no programmer intervention, eliminating the capacity loss typical of changeovers.
• Deployment on existing hardware – the layer is installed on robots the customer already owns; the investment does not involve the robot itself or a workcell rebuild.
• Robot vendor independence – the solution is not tied to a single brand, which differentiates it from adaptive functions supplied by robot manufacturers for their own platform only.
• SME focus – adaptive robotics for small and medium-sized enterprises has no dominant supplier yet; existing solutions are priced and engineered for high-volume production.
• A validated pilot, not a concept on paper – the first automotive deployment confirmed a 10-second cycle and an 18% gain in line efficiency.
• The technology is being developed inside an operating company, not a laboratory – 20 years of experience with real production processes, 450+ installations and an existing customer base mean a faster path from prototype to deployment.
• Reduced dependence on the availability of qualified robot programmers, who are in short supply on the European market.
• Sustainability contribution – higher utilisation of existing machinery, fewer rejects and lower energy consumption per produced part. - Stage of Development
- Under development
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- IPR status
- Secret know-how
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
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We are looking for three complementary types of partner.
1) PILOT CUSTOMER / MANUFACTURING COMPANY
A manufacturing company with high production variability and short runs (automotive supply chain, mechanical engineering, electronics, plastics processing, made-to-order production) already operating at least one industrial or collaborative robot. Role of the partner: provide a real workcell for a SACL pilot deployment, define KPIs (cycle time, number of changeovers, reject rate) and jointly evaluate the benefit. The partner gains preferential access to the technology and favourable terms for full deployment.
2) SYSTEM INTEGRATOR / MACHINE BUILDER
An integrator or machine builder active in the EU that supplies robotic workcells to end customers. Role of the partner: integrate SACL into its own solutions, jointly test interfaces to further robot platforms and distribute the solution on its market. We expect technical integration capacity and an own project pipeline.
3) INVESTMENT OR STRATEGIC PARTNER
An industrial group, corporate investor or private investor interested in taking an equity stake in the separate entity developing and commercialising SACL. Role of the partner: financing the development phase and the first deployments, and possibly providing access to its own customer base or production sites. A passive or advisory role in governance is assumed; operations are run by the SIMAP GROUP team. Detailed investment materials (financial model, entity structure, roadmap, exit strategy) are provided after signing a non-disclosure agreement.
Cooperation with universities and research organisations in computer vision, robot control and machine learning is also welcome, including joint participation in Horizon Europe and Digital Europe projects. - Type and Size of Partner
- University
- R&D Institution
- SME 11-49
- Big company
- SME 50 - 249
- Type of partnership
- Investment agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02001 - Design and Modelling / Prototypes
- 02003001 - Process automation
- 02003004 - Supply chain
- Market keywords
- 09004008 - Other manufacturing (not elsewhere classified)
- 02003 - Specialised Turnkey Systems
- 08003007 - Other industrial equipment and machinery
- 08002007 - Other industrial automation
- 02007001 - Systems software
- Targeted countries
- All countries