KUKA

In 1898, Johann Josef Keller and Jakob Knappich founded an acetylene gas plant in Augsburg, Germany, to produce affordable lighting. The company name, KUKA, is an acronym for "Keller und Knappich Augsburg". Facing competition from electric lights, the company pivoted its expertise in welding, initially for industrial and small-scale applications, and later for the automotive industry. By 1939, KUKA had built Germany's first electric spot-welding system. A significant evolution occurred in 1973 when KUKA developed its first industrial robot, the FAMULUS, which was the first robot with six electromechanically driven axes. This innovation positioned KUKA as a key player in factory automation, supplying welding lines to major car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Daimler-Benz. Over the decades, KUKA continued to innovate, introducing the first PC-based robot controller in 1996. The company's trajectory took a major turn in 2016 when it was acquired by the Chinese appliance manufacturer Midea Group. This acquisition was one of the largest takeovers of a German company by a Chinese firm, valued at approximately 4.6 billion euros. Despite initial controversy, the deal was approved, marking a new chapter for the German robotics pioneer. In 2022, Midea acquired the remaining shares, taking KUKA completely private.