A year ago, on the eve of the holidays, the Awabot team discovered its new head office. Until then, the company distributed BEAM telepresence robots, designed by Suitable Technologies in the United States. But these new premises, located near Lyon, marked the beginning of a new era.
Plan France Relance: Awabot, winner of the scheme
At the end of 2020, as COVID-19 raged around the world and slowed down international economic exchanges, Awabot started a great and beautiful adventure.
Winner of the France Relance plan, the company has obtained a license from Blue Ocean Robotics (which acquired the assets from Suitable Technologies) to manufacture and sell and has invested 1.5 million euros to relocate the manufacturing of the BEAM mobile telepresence system, initially established in Palo Alto (USA), in Lyon (France), where the company has chosen to set up its production warehouse, as well as its head office. It then bought back the stocks, the raw material and brought in from the USA the plastic injection molds, now used by a local supplier, located in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.
Manufacturing of the BEAM telepresence robot: the key figures
- The production line in the new 1,000 m² premises can produce around 150 robots per month.
- Finally, the workforce of the company has increased by 80%.
From receiving the material to manufacturing the BEAM telepresence robot
Between relocation and massive deployment: a strategic year for the company
In early 2021, the Ministry of National Education launched the TED-i program, which provides for the provision of mobile telepresence systems for disabled pupils and students. Awabot is the holder of this public contract and is currently equipping the various academies and universities in France: at least 1,750 telepresence robots are being deployed.
The challenge was great, but it was brilliantly taken up by the team. In addition, Awabot also provides global support for all BEAM customers around the world.
These key steps consolidate its leadership position in terms of service robotics and more broadly, French innovation.
