IMSystems has developed the Archimedes Drive (AD) – a patented, next-generation transmission technology that replaces traditional gear-based speed reducers with a smooth, rolling-contact mechanism. This approach eliminates gear backlash and friction losses, enabling high-precision, efficient, and quiet actuation across robotics and human-interactive systems.
The project was conceived to address two long-standing challenges in robotics and motion control:
1. Technical limitations of existing strain-wave and planetary drives – backlash, low efficiency, and low stiffness – that constrain robot performance and energy efficiency.
2. Strategic dependency on a small number of non-European suppliers of high-precision drives, which exposes European robotics and automation industries to supply chain and geopolitical risks.
During the EIC project, IMSystems has proven the Archimedes Drive architecture from laboratory prototypes to integrated, manufacturable actuators (TRL 8) through collaboration with leading OEMs in robotics and prosthetics. The company’s original focus was the industrial-robotics market, but growing customer demand has shown strong near-term opportunities in emerging, high-value niches such as pick-and-place automation, humanoid robotics, and powered prosthetics.
These markets offer faster adoption cycles and positive early cash flow, providing the commercial bridge toward large-scale industrial deployment.
The project’s pathway to impact therefore combines:
- Short-term, market-pull exploitation of early-adopter segments requiring compact, silent, and efficient actuators (medical, precision assembly, collaborative robots).
- Long-term strategic contribution to European technological sovereignty in advanced actuation, supporting competitiveness in automation, humanoids, and assistive robotics.
By enabling higher productivity, lower energy use, and new human-safe robotic applications, the Archimedes Drive contributes directly to EU priorities for sustainable re-industrialization, digital transformation, and resilient supply chains.
