Core Insights - Aldebaran, a pioneer in the robotics industry, has faced significant challenges leading to its bankruptcy and the sale of its core assets for a mere €900,000 (approximately ¥7.54 million) [2][5] - The company was once valued at $100 million when acquired by SoftBank in 2012, highlighting the drastic decline in its market position [2][5] - Aldebaran's robots, including NAO and Pepper, were once highly regarded and widely used, but high production and service costs hindered their scalability [3][4] Company Overview - Aldebaran was founded in Paris in 2005 and became a leading name in the robotics sector, known for its innovative products [2] - The company has undergone multiple ownership changes, including acquisition by SoftBank and later by the German United Robotics Group (URG) [5] - Despite the backing of major corporations, Aldebaran could not recover from significant financial losses, including a $29 million loss in the previous year [5] Market Position - At its peak, Aldebaran sold thousands of robots across 70 countries, establishing a strong presence in the European market [2][6] - The pricing strategy for its robots was a barrier to widespread adoption, with Pepper priced at €30,000 plus a monthly service fee of $550 [2][3] - The recent sale of Aldebaran's assets to a Chinese company, Shengshi Technology, raises hopes for a potential revival in the robotics sector [2][6]
法国机器人企业Aldebaran破产,卖给了中国的上市公司盛世科技