It's a modular collaborative robot (cobot) developed and assembled by our teams in our Belfort workshop: each of its modules can be assembled to another or operate independently. It is therefore possible to create different configurations, with 4, 5, 6 or more axes, so as to adapt to the user's needs. What's more, all modules have an infinite rotation capacity, which, depending on the application, can improve cycle times and therefore productivity. MORFOSE is a multi-purpose cobot that can replace a wide range of robotic configurations, and supports its operator in handling, quality control, assembly, depositing and removing materials, as well as other repetitive tasks. Its software, developed by MS-Innov, is easy to program. First-level user training takes just half a day.

 It's an essential step for the industrialization and marketing of our robot. This fund-raising round, which reached 8 million euros and was initiated by France Relance in 2021 for MORFOSE's development phase, has now been finalized. This new round of financing includes Banque des Territoires, UI Investissement and Crédit Agricole de Franche-Comté via its Carvest fund. It's a privilege to have with us such strong and trusted players, who are showing their determination to give birth to a French robot manufacturer.

To start with, we're producing the first twenty units, which will be installed at our customers' sites early this year. Then we're aiming for a production target of 50 units in 2024 and a good hundred in 2025, which we consider modest in view of market demand. Today, we have around 1 million euros in pre-orders, and we're aiming for sales of 10 million euros within three years. Our workforce is growing accordingly: we recruited 12 people this year and now have 34 employees. We are continuing to hire for the industrialization and marketing of our product. We should reach 50 employees by 2025. As far as marketing is concerned, our business model is based primarily on relationships with integrators, who are responsible for the installation and full deployment of our industrial solutions. We also work with direct customers who can be autonomous in terms of installation, depending on the application required. 

In parallel with the industrialization of MORFOSE, we are continuing to work on its development in order to expand our range and diversify our application sectors. Today, our modular collaborative robot can find its place in most industries, including mechanical engineering, machining, luxury goods, automotive subcontracting, etc. We still need to evolve to enter new markets. We still need to evolve to enter sectors subject to particularly stringent standards, such as the agri-food, medical/health and nuclear sectors. This is also one of the aspects of this fund-raising. Our growth will also require us to expand our premises in line with our production needs. We should reach 2,500 m² in a few years' time. We'll still be based in Belfort or the surrounding area, as we're determined to remain in the Nord Franche-Comté region, an area with a wealth of local resources.

 Our strategy is based on our presence at trade shows, which give visibility to our innovation. But we're very selective. Last September, we took part in SIDO (robotics, Internet of Things, etc.) in Lyon, then in October in the SIANE industries trade show in Toulouse, and we're continuing with Be 5.0 in Mulhouse. BE 5.0 is a very special one for us: it is both well-targeted in terms of attendance and diversified in terms of the technological solutions it presents. It takes place in a dense robotics and industrial fabric, between Alsace and Nord Franche-Comté, and more broadly the Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions, which is at the heart of our development plan... and the location of our own plant. We're looking for qualified contacts, and therefore rapid operational benefits. We'll be presenting two complete and one partial MORFOSE on a 36 m² stand, designed and built by TNT Event.

Article by Mathieu Noyer, editor-in-chief of Traces Ecrites News, the business news website for the Grand Est and Bourgogne-Franche-Comté regions (www.tracesecritesnews.fr)