During the Phase 1 of the SME Instrument Blue Danube Robotics (BDR) successfully performed the further technical and business feasibility of the AIRSKIN technology. In particular the concept shaping of the AIRSKIN flange was performed, which is believed is the next step on the product development roadmap, as a result of real user needs to make the robot grippers safe as possible.
BDR has validated the problems that intend to solve with AIRSKIN technology and its competitive edge with the confirmation deducted that there are no competing solutions that are superior to AIRSKIN. During the Phase, BDR also listed the use cases i.e. robot model types, where AIRSKIN is believed to provide the biggest impact. This was important to see the commercialization pathway from the current prototype stage. The current manufacturing process was found as sufficient that at a later stage can be revalidated how to scale up.
BDR prepared a draft product development plan for the AIRSKIN flange, highlighting main objectives of such technical development and resources needed. The direct cost of the pure product development over 2 years is estimated around €2 m. Several current and future stakeholders were engaged and their interest for an eventual Phase 2 project secured.
During Phase 1, BDR comprehensively assessed the industry, the robotics market and trends and scouted and listed potential customers: robotic manufacturers, integrators of robotic solutions and leaders in industrial automation. The focus was on global players and European companies, which are the most viable for a large scale commercialization of the AIRSKIN technology.
BDR validated the organizational growth of the company during the next 5 years, as well as prepared financial projection that confirmed a cumulated revenue of €113.6m and a cumulated profit of €20m.
Overall, Phase 1 provided time and resources to research the market, and better understand the use cases of the ARISKIN technology. Also, dozens of discussions took place with potential stakeholders, based on which BDR was able to better define the objectives and the next steps. In summary, Phase 1 convinced the management of BDR to further pursue the idea and to prepare next steps towards the product development that will focus on the flange, to be conducted with the help of Phase 2 of the Horizon 2020 grant scheme.
