Happtec exits the Hub and launches connectivity product
The Odense Robotics StartUp Hub will soon say goodbye to Happtec. This month, the startup exits the robotics incubator at the Danish Technological Institute and launches their product, designed to create more agile and flexible production through greater connectivity.
Happtec was established June 2018 and joined the Hub a few months later. With CTO and Founder Andreas Holmetoft Lyder at the helm and support from Technicon, the startup began developing their business idea. Now – just 18 months later – Happtec is ready to launch Smart Gateway, a universal ‘plug-in’ networking capability that enables existing production equipment to connect to new technology.
For most manufacturing companies, lack of connectivity is one of the largest barriers for implementing new production technology. Existing and new production equipment, hardware and software included, rarely work together. As a result, valuable data is lost and production equipment cannot be used optimally. It is increasingly crucial that equipment can interconnect, but until now, this has proved too time-consuming and cost-intensive, requiring programming know-how to ensure the equipment connects.
”Decades ago, robots revolutionised production. Then cobots arrived on the scene and made automation flexible and applicable for many. Happtec is a great example of the next step, where existing production equipment is easily connected to new technology. It’s a new and groundbreaking way of automating productions, in which we see great potential,” says Mikkel Christoffersen, Cluster Director, Odense Robotics.
Happtec’s Smart Gateway is a box that easily and simply connects several production units. Via a Happ Portal, the customer can download the programmes required and ensure that the Smart Gateway monitors the production equipment and collects production data. The user-friendly solution works well with Universal Robots cobots and can be expanded to apply big data and AI.
Valuable advice and guidance via Odense Robotics
During their time in the Hub, Happtec had access to experienced industry experts and technology specialists, who helped them with professional advice regarding their business model, programming, artificial intelligence and supply chain setup. Happtec also took part in the innovation programme “Digital Omstilling – Innovationssamarbejder”, run by Business Hub Fyn and Odense Robotics, where they received business advice and funding to develop the Smart Gateway.
”Thanks to the professional advice in the Hub, we were able to focus our efforts on accelerating our development. The speed and the professionalism we met on every level means we are ready to go to market and deliver the best service to our customers,” says Andreas Holmetoft Lyder.
According to Andreas Holmetoft Lyder, agility and flexibility is increasingly critical in the production industry. He emphasises that too many resources are wasted due to ineffective and inflexible production setups that are not sufficiently connected.
”Now more than ever, manufacturing companies need increased flexibility, better payback time and a more agile production, regardless of their size, industry or location. We see great potential for our Smart Gateway to become popular with many companies within the next three years,” says Andreas Holmetoft Lyder.
Facts about Happtec
- Established in June 2018
- Joint ownership by Technicon ApS and Andreas Holmetoft Lyder
- Expanded from one to three employees
- Development and sales based at the company headquarters in Odense