Nio Robotics :: Robots for Industrial Inspection, Maintenance & Hazardous Environment Operations

Nio Robotics (operating under Nimble One SAS) is a French deep-tech robotics company founded in 2020 and based in Toulouse, France. The company specializes in developing advanced, highly adaptable mobile robots for industrial inspection, maintenance, and hazardous environment operations. Nio Robotics aims to improve safety, efficiency, and uptime in complex industrial settings by replacing or assisting humans in dangerous, repetitive, or hard-to-access tasks.

The company’s flagship product is Aru, a groundbreaking polymorphic (shape-shifting) inspection and maintenance robot. Aru combines the best characteristics of multiple robot types — the agility of a snake robot, the stability of a rover, the mobility of a quadruped, and the interaction capabilities of a humanoid. This unique design allows it to navigate confined spaces, uneven terrain, stairs, and complex industrial environments while performing interactive tasks.

Key features of the Aru robot include:

• Polymorphic Design: Adaptive morphology that significantly extends physical capabilities beyond traditional mobile robots.
• Precision Interaction: Articulated arms and grippers for opening doors, turning valves, handling objects, and performing detailed manipulation tasks.
• Advanced Sensing Payload: Modular system supporting high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, LiDAR, gas detectors, radiation detectors, and other specialized sensors for comprehensive inspection and analysis.
• Autonomy & Usability: AI-powered navigation, predictive maintenance features, and easy field servicing (unique “compass” system that simplifies spare parts management).

Target applications span multiple high-stakes industries:

• Industrial production and equipment monitoring
• Energy sector (nuclear, thermal, hydro, solar, wind)
• Industrial painting and corrosion treatment
• Nuclear dismantlement and radioactive site mapping
• Civil security and emergency response

Aru is designed to reduce human exposure to hazardous conditions, minimize downtime, and deliver consistent, data-rich inspections. The company offers customization and runs an Early Adopter Program to co-develop tailored solutions with industrial partners.

Nio Robotics has a strong technical team (around 30–37 people, including many PhDs) with expertise in mechatronics, locomotion, perception, and AI. The company is growing rapidly and actively hiring.