Industrial Next Partners With BMW to Test Flexible Factory Robots

Oct 14, 2026
Industrial Next is partnering with BMW Group to evaluate robotic systems that can switch factory tasks without traditional programming.

Industrial Next is partnering with BMW Group to evaluate its robotic manipulation technology for manufacturing, TechCrunch reports. The startup presented the partnership at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026.

Industrial Next builds self contained robotic stations powered by foundation models that connect machine vision, task context and motion. The company says manufacturers can teach the stations new tasks through simulation and demonstration, allowing production lines to switch tasks in minutes instead of requiring weeks of programming and physical changes.

The startup says its stations already perform smartphone assembly tasks, including threading flexible cables, attaching small connector caps and removing protective film. Industrial Next was founded in 2021 by former Tesla employees Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan.

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