ECA Group, subsidiary of Groupe Gorgé, buys into humanoid robotics

ECA Group, a Groupe Gorgé subsidiary, has taken a non-controlling stake in Wandercraft, one of the few companies specializing in cutting-edge technology for dynamic robotics. It has also created a new company, ECA Dynamics.

Wandercraft, which was founded in 2012, is developing an exoskeleton for medical use which should help disabled people recover mobility and lead an independent life. The innovations of this young company are realizations of new theories on humanoid robotics: hybrid dynamic robotics. These have already made possible several advances in humanoid robots, including:

Faster movement,

Shocks between feet and ground,

Better performance in unpredictable situations (slippery surfaces, uneven terrain, etc.).

The biggest impact of these advances has been to make walking more fluid, increasing its energy efficiency and multiplying its autonomy.

ECA and Wandercraft have signed a cooperation agreement, creating the jointly-owned company ECA Dynamics. The new company will be 51% owned by ECA and 49% by Wandercraft. Its purpose will be to combine Wandercraft's humanoid robotics technology with ECA's mobile robotics to develop bipedal or quadrupedal robots for use in defense and security applications.



 

ECA Group is investing in these developments with the conviction that future bipedal and quadrupedal robots will complement the Group's existing range of mobile robots and that Wandercraft's technology will make foot-borne robots independent enough to be useful. They will be able to get round obstacles and move in spaces where current robots are hampered by their wheels or tracks. Humanoid-based robots will be able, for instance, to inspect an accident zone or carry loads.

The new company, ECA Dynamics, will help fill out ECA Group's range of terrestrial robots.

With this move, ECA Group has confirmed its strategy of offering customers complementary robots capable of working together to fulfill any mission tasks. In this case, humanoid robots will work alongside the Group's airborne drones (IT180) and land drones (Caméléon, Cobra, etc.).

ECA Group has taken a stake of around 9% in Wandercraft. ECA will bring its support and skills to Wandercraft for the industrialization and production of its exoskeleton aimed at the medical market. Some of the components used to make the exoskeleton are already produced by Groupe Gorgé's 3D printing arm, Prodways.

Demonstrations of this new technology in action will be released in early September.







 

Disclaimer

 

This press release could contain statements on past events and forward-looking statements including statements regarding future goals or targets. Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations for results and future events.

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Some of these risk factors are set forth and detailed in our Document de Référence (Registration Document including the annual financial report filed with the French Autorité des Marchés Financiers). This list of risks, uncertainties and other factors is not limitative. Other non-anticipated, unknown or unforeseeable factors could also have material adverse effect on our targets. The Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements or targets potentially contained in this press release to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions or circumstances on which any such statements are based.





 

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About Groupe Gorgé

Established in 1990, Group Gorgé is an industrial group operating in different areas of expertise:

Smart Safety Systems – Using technology to work in risk environments;

Protection in Nuclear Environments – Protecting people and securing buildings operating with radioactive materials;

Industrial Projects & Services Conducting Robotics and Fire protection systems projects for industry and service-sector player;

3D Printing – Enabling major industry players to find new routes to successful innovation and production processes by providing systems, 3D printers and new premium material.

In 2014, the Group reported revenue of €223.3 million. It is backed by 1,370 employees and operations in over ten countries.

More information available on www.groupe-gorge.com

 

Groupe Gorgé is listed on NYSE Euronext Paris and on the US OTC market in the form of ADR.

NYSE Euronext Paris:

Compartment B.

ISIN code: FR0000062671

Ticker code: GOE

 

US OTC market:

CUSIP NUMBER: 399451 103

ISIN NUMBER: US3994511034

Ticker Code: GGRGY / GGRGF

 

Contacts

Groupe Gorgé - Raphaël GORGÉ – Président Directeur Général

Tél. : 01 44 77 94 77 - E-mail : [email protected]



Actus Finance - Anne-Pauline PETUREAUX - Relations Analystes/Investisseurs

Tél. : 01 53 67 36 72 - E-mail : [email protected]

Actus Finance – Jean-Michel MARMILLON - Relations Presse

Tél. : 01 53 67 36 73 - E-mail : [email protected]

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