KUKA Group

The story of KUKA begins in 1898 in Augsburg, Germany, where Johann Josef Keller and Jakob Knappich founded an acetylene factory for affordable lighting. This humble beginning, focused on domestic and municipal lighting, as well as household appliances and automobile headlights, laid the groundwork for a future industrial giant. The company's name, KUKA, is an acronym derived from the founders' names and the city: 'Keller und Knappich Augsburg'. In the early 20th century, KUKA expanded its expertise into welding technology, a move that would define its trajectory for decades to come. By 1956, the company was already making significant strides in automation, developing the first automatic welding systems for major automotive players like Volkswagen. This early focus on automating industrial processes set the stage for KUKA's eventual pivot to robotics.

The true robotics revolution for KUKA began in 1973 with the creation of the FAMULUS, the world's first industrial robot with six electromechanically driven axes. This innovation was a game-changer, particularly for the automotive industry, and marked KUKA's official entry into the robotics sector. Throughout the following decades, KUKA continued to push the boundaries of what was possible. In 1996, they introduced the first PC-based robot controller, making robot programming and operation significantly more user-friendly with a Windows interface. The 21st century saw further groundbreaking developments, including the introduction of the Robocoaster, the first passenger-carrying robot for the amusement industry, and the world's first collaborative robot, or 'cobot', in 2004, which could work safely alongside humans. Now a global automation powerhouse with around 15,000 employees, KUKA continues to be at the forefront of intelligent automation, offering everything from industrial robots and autonomous mobile robots to fully networked production systems for a diverse range of industries, driving the future of manufacturing worldwide.