PickNik Robotics, SKA announce strategic partnership

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PickNik Robotics and SKA Custom Robotics and Machines have signed a strategic partnership. | Source: PickNik Robotics

PickNik Robotics, a Colorado-based software company that specializes in unstructured robotics environments, has announced a strategic collaboration with SKA Custom Robots and Machines, an engineering firm known for its work in robotics. 

The companies hope to use their partnership to leverage PickNik Robotics’ software expertise and SKA’s hardware engineering capabilities to propel the development of advanced robotic systems. SKA has experience in construction, medical, life sciences, mining, and inspection robots. PickNik Robotics’ software has been used in various applications, including in agriculture, warehouses, and space. 

“PickNik has some of the best robotic manipulation engineers and technology in the world, whereas SKA has world-class competence in field robotics,” Spencer Krause, president and CEO of SKA, said. “This partnership will enable more rapid development of dexterous robotic systems by utilizing both firms’ expertise.”

Krause also stressed the value of PickNik Robotics’ capabilities in addressing challenging unstructured robotic manipulation problems, which can significantly expedite development time in SKA’s applications. 

 “We are extremely excited to join forces with SKA Custom Robots and Machines in this collaboration,” PickNik Robotics CEO Dave Coleman said. “Through the synergy of our software expertise and SKA’s excellence in custom robots, we have the potential to bring significant advancements to dexterous manipulation on purpose-built robots in many domains. Together, we will push the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of ruggedized unstructured robotics and we look to redefine the future of these industries.”

Earlier this year, PickNik Robotics announced a partnership with Motiv Space Systems to advance In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities through the integration of MoveIt Studio for robot arm control and Motiv’s xLink robot arm product line.

The company also offers its MoveIt Studio Developer Platform and MoveIt Studio SDK, which help robotics and software engineers create, debug, and ship complex robotic manipulation projects.