Odense Robotics newsletter January 2019

Odense Robotics Newsletter


	Exports increase by 46% in the cluster

Photo: Odense Robotics.

Exports in the Odense Robotics cluster has increased by 46% since 2015 to reach DKK 3.8 billion – accounting for almost 70% of the cluster’s total turnover on Funen – according to figures published today by Odense Robotics. It is the first time the cluster’s export has been calculated.

In line with global growth, companies have increased the number of employees abroad by more than 50% last year compared with the previous year to a total of 760 employees today. And the cluster has significant potential to increase export further; as many as 66% of companies that do not export today expect to do so in the future.

The figures will be published in full next month in the annual Odense Robotics Insight Report, which is based on data from A&B Analysis and Statistics Denmark.

”The new figures show growth rates not seen in many other industries. In just a few years, export has increased by almost 50% and the number of employees abroad has increased by more than 50%. Meanwhile, the majority of companies that do not export today expect to do so in the future. This demonstrates that robotics has become a profitable industry and that the cluster still has significant growth potential,” says Mikkel Christoffersen, Business Manager, Odense Robotics.


	QuadSAT secures more than DKK 5 million investment and exits the Hub

Photo: QuadSAT.

The barely two-year-old drone startup has secured more than DKK 5 million in investment thanks to Seraphim Capital, Danish Growth Fund (Vækstfonden) and private investors. QuadSAT has just left Odense Robotics StartUp Hub and is already off to a promising start.

QuadSAT entered the StartUp Hub 14 months ago and is a great example of how capable Denmark is of developing global drone companies. The startup has developed a unique drone platform with the potential to radically transform the global satellite communication industry. A faster, more flexible and far cheaper way to ensure optimal and secure satellite communication on ships, planes, cars and other modes of transport ̶ this is what the company offers the international market.

“QuadSAT is the first drone company to exit the Odense Robotics StartUp Hub. The fact that they have secured substantial investments twice is a notable achievement, especially attracting international investors so soon after their establishment. The global drone market is less mature than the robotics industry, but drones are rapidly gaining on their more traditional cousins, with new applications arising daily. Odense Robotics is thrilled on behalf of QuadSAT and we know their contribution will solve a myriad of challenges for their customers. They have the potential to be a powerhouse in the drone industry,” says Ernest Fuller, Business Developer at Odense Robotics StartUp Hub.


	Internationalisation: Odense Robotics introduces new business area

Photo: Pixabay.

The new year brings with it a new business area in Odense Robotics: Internationalisation. The new endeavour aims to create more international growth for the cluster and the industry through international partnerships.

Odense Robotics has joined forces with Sabina Kethelz who will be leading the efforts. With a background in robotics and working with clusters and the strengthening of their ecosystems, Sabina will take on the challenge of helping the robotics and automation industry in and around Odense to grow internationally. Below she gives us an introduction to the new business area.

What is the purpose of this new business area?

To help create more international growth for the cluster’s robotics and automation technologies in the long run. The exportation of robotic technologies is expected to increase considerably over the next years, and Odense Robotics is of course capable and eager to support the international ambitions of our cluster members. This is why we’ll need to learn more about the needs and challenges among our members, as well as improve our knowledge of international market demands.


	New technology to breed healthier fish faster

Photo: Blue Unit.

Blue Unit in collaboration with SDU Sønderborg is developing new technology to secure a stable water quality in recirculation fish farms and create optimal conditions for fish to grow. The partnership was a result of a match made by Odense Robotics in connection with the innovation programme “AutomationsBoost”.

Blue Unit and SDU Sønderborg are currently collaborating on new measuring equipment to monitor water quality and growth conditions for fish in recirculation fish farms. “The Lab Station” will be unique in its ability to measure water quality online in up to 12 places on just one fish farm. The system will measure the levels of oxygen, saline, temperature, PH, carbon dioxide, bicarbonate buffer and more – parameters that influence each other. The Lab Station can then deliver a precise image of the complex developments in the water quality in real time, making it possible to prevent adverse developments.

The collaboration between Blue Unit and SDU Sønderborg is a part of AutomationsBoost, which is run by RoboCluster and Erhvervshus Syddanmark. The match was made through Odense Robotics in 2017 when Blue Unit was considering participating. In the programme, SMVs with automation needs collaborate on innovation projects with suppliers of automation solutions or knowledge institutions.


	Meet Andrian Buchi, Co-founder and CTO of QuadSAT.

“Drones brings together technologies from many industries. Even though I have a background as a mechanical engineer, I get to work with electronics, IT and all kinds of technologies mixed together. You have to understand them all - and make great use of them all. It’s just amazing,” says Andrian Buchi.

QuadSAT left the Odense Robotics StartUp Hub this month. In the video, you can see the team testing their technology outside the StartUp Hub, where they were based for 14 months. Here, they developed their technology and company, making use of the StartUp Hub’s prototyping facilities as well as business and technical advice.

QuadSAT wants to change satellite communications by using drone technology to simulate the satellites, as calibrating antennae is expensive and time consuming for the industry today. The company’s setup can test satellites and antennae autonomously – which reduces the time and costs involved in testing.