FLX Solutions is innovating in the robotics industry with highly functional and intelligent robots that are miniaturized to operate in spaces that humans and traditional robots cannot easily access. Their first product, The FLX BOT is a patented, snake-like robot that is one inch in diameter and expands, braces, and climbs to perform many customizable actions. The modular robot is made up of identical, interchangeable links that each have a camera and sensor to enable 3D mapping and autonomous navigation. Each robot has interchangeable end effectors including drills, grippers, vacuums, or sprayers.
What We Did
After closing on a $500,000 round of funding, FLX Solutions looked to us to expand their team. We supported FLX Robotics in several domains, including electronics, hardware, software and testing. We covered each of the following domains:
- Robotics & Automation
- Mechatronics
- Electrical Engineering (Hardware)
- Electrical Engineering (Software)
- Embedded Systems
- Manufacturing & Testing
In addition to our expert guidance to help FLX Solutions transition from an in-the-garage tech startup to ready-to-manufacture robotics company, we provided our staff and equipment for:
- CAD support
- Manufacturing & assembly
- Electronics manufacturing
- Materials Testing
- Life-cycle testing
- Design for manufacturing
We worked with the Solidworks models to assess the fit of various components, designed parts and assessed the original design for manufacturability. We designed, manufactured, and programmed a benchtop assembly that allowed us to test the flex circuits to establish the number of useful extension and contraction cycles before failure.
