Fraunhofer IPA
Fraunhofer IPA, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Stuttgart, is one of Germany's main applied robotics research institutes. In service robotics it is known for Care-O-bot, a mobile assistant that began as a prototype in 1998 and evolved through Care-O-bot II and 3 to the fourth generation. IPA presented Care-O-bot 4 in January 2015 after three years of work with Phoenix Design and Schunk, and it won the Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best in 2015. Its modular construction was meant as a base for commercial service robot solutions. From October 2016 Care-O-bot 4 worked as the shopping assistant Paul in Saturn stores, including Ingolstadt. Mojin Robotics, a spin-off led by Ulrich Reiser, commercialises the technology and received the 2017 Fraunhofer Founder's Prize. The institute is a research organisation, not a robot manufacturer for retail customers.
💡Notable Achievement: Care-O-bot 4 won a Red Dot Design Award, Best of the Best, in 2015.
What Does Fraunhofer IPA Do?
Fraunhofer IPA in Stuttgart is an applied research institute best known for the Care-O-bot service robots, whose fourth generation worked as a shopping assistant and is commercialised by Mojin Robotics.
“A German research institute behind the Care-O-bot.”
Care-O-bot Since 1998
Four generations of a mobile service robot.
Award-Winning Design
Care-O-bot 4 won Red Dot Best of the Best in 2015.
Spin-Off
Mojin Robotics commercialises Care-O-bot 4.
What Can Fraunhofer IPA Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Modular service robot for public spaces.
Service Robotics
Care-O-bot 4 worked as shopping assistant Paul in Saturn stores.
Fraunhofer IPA Robots
Showing 1 of 1 total model
Care-O-bot 4
Manufactured by Fraunhofer IPA
Care-O-bot 4 is a versatile, modular service and hospitality robot designed as a mobile assistant for human support in dynamic environments like homes, hotels, restaurants, airports, and retail spaces. Featuring patented spherical joints at the neck and hips for enhanced agility, it enables 360-degree rotations of the head and torso, smooth navigation, and intuitive gestures such as nodding or bending forward while maintaining balance. Equipped with one or two dexterous arms for manipulation, object grasping, and serving trays, it autonomously detects obstacles, picks up items, and delivers goods up to 150 kg on its omnidirectional base. Interaction occurs via a head-mounted touchscreen, speech recognition, gesture detection, and expressive facial animations that convey emotions, fostering friendly, human-like engagement. Its cost-effective sheet metal construction and customizable modules make it adaptable for guiding, concierge services, information provision, and collection-delivery tasks, blending advanced robotics with empathetic design for seamless hospitality integration.
Fraunhofer IPA Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
First Care-O-bot prototype built
Fraunhofer IPA builds the first Care-O-bot, a mobile platform with a moveable interactive touchscreen for communicating with users.
Source: care-o-bot.de
Care-O-bot 4 presented
After three years working with Phoenix Design and Schunk, IPA presents the prototype of the fourth-generation Care-O-bot service robot.
Source: ipa.fraunhofer.de
Care-O-bot 4 wins Red Dot Best of the Best
Care-O-bot 4 wins the Red Dot Design Award in product design with the title Best of the Best.
Source: ipa.fraunhofer.de
Care-O-bot 4 starts work as shopping assistant Paul
Care-O-bot 4 begins work as shopping assistant Paul in Saturn stores, including Ingolstadt from October 2016.
Source: ipa.fraunhofer.de
Mojin Robotics wins Fraunhofer Founder's Prize
Mojin Robotics, which commercialises Care-O-bot 4 technology, receives the 2017 Fraunhofer Founder's Prize worth 5,000 euros.
Source: fraunhofer.de
Fraunhofer IPA Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Fraunhofer IPA Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Long track record in service robotics.
- ✓Commercial path through Mojin Robotics.
Core Strategic Focus
Applied research and technology transfer.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •A research institute rather than a product company.
- •Service robots have had slow commercial uptake.
Fraunhofer IPA vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- Care-O-bot 4
- Modular service robot
- Toyota HSR
- Home support robot
- SoftBank Pepper
- Humanoid service robot
- Diligent Moxi
- Hospital service robot
Primary Use
- Care-O-bot 4
- Hotels, restaurants
- Toyota HSR
- Not listed
- SoftBank Pepper
- Customer service, reception
- Diligent Moxi
- Delivering medical supplies
Weight
- Care-O-bot 4
- 140 kg | (Inferred · Medium confidence · Typical for service robots)
- Toyota HSR
- 37 kg
- SoftBank Pepper
- 28 kg
- Diligent Moxi
- 136 kg
Release Year
- Care-O-bot 4
- 2015
- Toyota HSR
- 2012
- SoftBank Pepper
- 2014
- Diligent Moxi
- 2019
| Strategic Dimension | Care-O-bot 4 | Toyota HSR | SoftBank Pepper | Diligent Moxi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | Modular service robot | Home support robot | Humanoid service robot | Hospital service robot |
| Primary Use | Hotels, restaurants | Not listed | Customer service, reception | Delivering medical supplies |
| Weight | 140 kg | (Inferred · Medium confidence · Typical for service robots) | 37 kg | 28 kg | 136 kg |
| Release Year | 2015 | 2012 | 2014 | 2019 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
Europe's largest applied research organisation.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Europe's largest applied research organisation.
Commercialises Care-O-bot 4 technology; winner of the 2017 Fraunhofer Founder's Prize.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Fraunhofer IPA Headquarters
HQStuttgart, Germany
Articles & Industry News
Showing 1 recent article and news updates about Fraunhofer IPA
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Fraunhofer IPA
What is Fraunhofer IPA?
Fraunhofer IPA is the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation in Stuttgart, an applied research institute known for service robots such as Care-O-bot.
What is Care-O-bot 4?
Care-O-bot 4 is the fourth-generation service robot from Fraunhofer IPA. Presented in January 2015, it has a modular design that serves as a base for commercial service robot solutions.
When was the first Care-O-bot built?
Fraunhofer IPA built the first Care-O-bot in 1998. It was a mobile platform with a moveable touchscreen, followed by Care-O-bot II, 3 and 4.
Where has Care-O-bot 4 been used?
Care-O-bot 4 worked as the shopping assistant Paul in Saturn electronics stores, including one in Ingolstadt from October 2016, as a first commercial-style deployment of the platform.
Who designed Care-O-bot 4?
IPA scientists worked for three years with the design studio Phoenix Design and Schunk on Care-O-bot 4, and its design won a Red Dot Best of the Best award in 2015.
What is Mojin Robotics?
Mojin Robotics GmbH is a spin-off that aims to commercialise Care-O-bot 4 technology. Ulrich Reiser is managing director, and it won the 2017 Fraunhofer Founder's Prize.
Can I buy a Care-O-bot?
Care-O-bot began as a research platform. Its technology is commercialised through Mojin Robotics, so buyers should contact that company or Fraunhofer IPA about availability.
Where is Fraunhofer IPA based?
Fraunhofer IPA is based in Stuttgart, Germany, and belongs to the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Europe's largest applied research organisation. Spin-off Mojin Robotics, which commercialises Care-O-bot 4, is also based in Stuttgart.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Fraunhofer IPA datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.