Phoenix Contact Innovation Ventures invests in mobile robotics

June 19, 2019

In May, Phoenix Contact Innovation Ventures became a shareholder in the Dutch company Unconstrained Robotics B.V. – also known as Accerion – through LIOF, a local investment fund.

The startup headquartered in Venlo is a technology company that develops and sells infrastructure-less positioning systems for mobile robots and automated guided vehicles. Since Willem-Jan Lamers and Vincent Burg founded the company in 2015, it has continuously developed and enhanced its positioning systems. They use the floor to calculate the robots’ positions. Safe navigation in rooms is made possible with optical measurement and proprietary algorithms. There are currently two product series in the market.

Financing will give the company room for growth and enable further technological development of its product line. “Automated guided vehicles and mobile robots are essential for automation in production and logistics. Existing technology cannot entirely solve the problem of reducing manual handling. Because it functions without any infrastructure at all, the technology that Accerion developed opens up entirely new applications,” explained Marcus Böker, General Manager of Phoenix Contact Innovation Ventures GmbH. “We see major potential for automation in intralogistics in Accerion’s technology.”

For more information, visit HERE.

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Gary Martins Joins Weidmuller Canada as Managing Director

    Gary Martins Joins Weidmuller Canada as Managing Director

    Weidmüller Group is delighted to announce the appointment of Gary Martins as the new Managing Director for Canada. Gary brings an impressive 28 years of experience in the automation industry, making him the ideal leader to drive Weidmuller Canada’s growth and innovation. Gary’s distinguished career includes key leadership roles at B&R Automation, Murrelektronik, and Phoenix… Read More…

  • Littelfuse Announces CEO Retirement and Leadership Transition

    Littelfuse Announces CEO Retirement and Leadership Transition

    Littelfuse, Inc. has recently announced that David Heinzmann, President and Chief Executive Officer, has informed the Board of Directors of his intention to retire as President and CEO. The Board has appointed Dr. Greg Henderson, a member of the Littelfuse Board of Directors, as President and Chief Executive Officer effective February 10, 2025. Mr. Heinzmann will… Read More…


Sponsored Content
The Easy Way to the Industrial IoT

The way to the Industrial IoT does not have to be complicated. Whether access to valuable data is required or new, data-driven services are to be generated, Weidmuller enables its customers to go from data to value the easy way. Weidmuller’s comprehensive and cutting-edge IIoT portfolio applies to greenfield and brownfield applications. Weidmuller offers components and solutions from data acquisition, data pre-processing, data communication and data analysis.

Visit Weidmuller’s Industrial IoT Portfolio.


ADVANCED Motion Controls Takes Servo Drives to New Heights (and Depths) with FlexPro Extended Environment Product Line

Advanced Motion Controls is proud to announce the addition of six new CANopen servo drives with Extended Environment capabilities to their FlexPro line. These new drives join AMC’s existing EtherCAT Extended Environment FlexPro drives, making the FlexPro line the go-to solution for motion control applications in harsh environments.

Many motion control applications take place in conditions that are less than ideal, such as extreme temperatures, high and low pressures, shocks and vibrations, and contamination. Electronics, including servo drives, can malfunction or sustain permanent damage in these conditions.

Read More


Service Wire Co. Announces New Titles for Key Executives

Bruce Kesler and Mark Gatewood have been given new titles and responsibilities for Service Wire Co.

Bruce Kesler has assumed the role of Senior Director – Business Development. Bruce will be responsible for Service Wire’s largest strategic accounts and our growing Strategic Accounts Team.

Mark Gatewood has been promoted to the role of Vice President – Sales & Marketing. In this role, Gatewood will lead the efforts of Service Wire Company’s entire sales and marketing organization in all market verticals.

Read More


Tri-Mach Announces the Purchase of an Additional 45,000 sq ft. Facility

Tri-Mach Elmira Facility

Recently, Tri-Mach Inc. was thrilled to announce the addition of a new 45,000 sq ft. facility. Located at 285 Union St., Elmira, ON, this facility expands Tri-Mach’s capabilities, allowing them to better serve the growing needs of their customers.

Positioning for growth, this additional facility will allow Tri-Mach to continue taking on large-scale projects, enhance product performance testing, and provide equipment storage for their customers. The building will also be the new home to their Skilled Trades Centre of Excellence.

Read More


JMP Parent Company, CONVERGIX Acquires AGR Automation, Expanding Global Reach

Convergix Automation Solutions has completed the acquisition of AGR Automation (“AGR”), a UK-based provider of custom, high-performance automation design and systems integration primarily to the life sciences industry.

Following Convergix’s acquisitions of JMP Solutions in August 2021 and Classic Design in February 2022, AGR marks the third investment in Crestview’s strategy to build Convergix into a diversified automation solutions provider targeting the global $500+ billion market, with a particular focus on the $70 billion global systems integration and connectivity segments. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Read More


Latest Articles

  • Leviton’s Premier Cat 6A SST Cable Now Available in TEKPAK Box

    Leviton’s Premier Cat 6A SST Cable Now Available in TEKPAK Box

    Leviton has proudly launched its flagship premier Cat 6A SST cable in the convenient TEKPAK box which is made from 100% recyclable cardboard. Read More…

  • Three Smart Factory Trends that Pay Big Dividends

    Three Smart Factory Trends that Pay Big Dividends

    January 21, 2025 Networked Motor Control Center Technology Accelerates Productivity, Savings & Safety By Diego Wilches, Global Product Manager, IEC LVMCC Rockwell Automation has seen manufacturers around the globe investing billions of dollars in smart manufacturing and production plants. Industry experts project the demand for smart factories will double by 2032 to $322 billion because of the… Read More…