Industrial Next, co-founded by former Tesla engineers Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan, is advancing factory automation via AI-driven robotics.
Their systems leverage simulation for task learning, bypassing traditional manual programming to allow for rapid production line reconfigurations.
With current implementations in smartphone assembly and a partnership with the BMW Group Technology Office, their approach highlights the potential for adaptable, AI-managed manufacturing environments.
How robots work
The company is developing robotic stations that use artificial intelligence. Instead of classic, time-consuming programming, these robots learn their tasks through simulations. This method allows the systems to learn new movements without the need for human intervention each time.
The founders created the company because they found that old factory equipment was hindering the development of production. According to Lukas Pankau, the technology used by the factories was far behind the developments they saw in other areas, such as autonomous vehicles.
Use in production and collaborations
Industrial Next's robots are already in use in the assembly of popular smartphones, where they perform tasks that require high precision, such as connecting tiny cables and removing protective films from camera components.
The company, which recently showcased at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, also announced a new partnership with the BMW Group Technology Office to explore how the technology can be applied to automotive manufacturing processes.
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