Founded in 2005 by Bruno Maisonnier, Aldebaran quickly gained recognition with its iconic small humanoid robot NAO. However, despite its technological potential, the company, which faced major financial difficulties questioning the viability of its business model, is currently going through a very tough period. Having been placed under judicial reorganization last month, it is considering laying off nearly half of its employees in hopes of attracting a new investor.
From its inception, Aldebaran established itself as a global reference in humanoid robotics. NAO, its first robot, captivated research laboratories and educational institutions worldwide: more than 19,000 units have been sold to date.
In 2012, the acquisition by SoftBank marked a turning point, providing the company with the necessary resources to develop Pepper, an interactive robot capable of identifying human faces and emotions, found in reception halls, retail spaces, and museums.
In 2016, Aldebaran was integrated into SoftBank Robotics, a change that led to a loss of strategic direction and a repositioning that proved complex.
Growing Challenges
Despite initial enthusiasm, Aldebaran's robots struggled to achieve mass adoption. The service robots market, still emerging, did not generate the expected sales volumes. In 2021, SoftBank halted Pepper's production and reduced investments in robotics, signaling a strategic retreat.
In 2022, it sold Aldebaran to the German group United Robotics Group, which tried to revive its activity by repositioning existing products and launching the Plato robot, aimed at the hospitality and catering sectors. However, financial challenges persisted: between 2019 and 2022, Aldebaran accumulated a net deficit of 156 million euros, and in 2023, it recorded an operating loss of 26 million euros.
In August 2024, its German shareholder and distributor decided to stop funding it, preferring to focus on the distribution of a new range of products from China, leaving it with insufficient resources to continue its activities.
In January 2025, a safeguard procedure was initiated, followed by judicial reorganization last month. The company, which claims more than 40,000 robots sold and had to lay off half of its staff upon its acquisition in 2022, is seeking a new buyer. A new social plan could see the elimination of nearly half of the 165 retained jobs.
Despite these challenges, Aldebaran remains committed to its vision: designing robots that improve people's lives and meet real needs. The company continues to believe in its potential to transform key sectors like education and healthcare, while exploring new opportunities for innovation.