Industrial Next enables factory robots to switch tasks in minutes
Industrial Next is a San Francisco-based startup aiming to revolutionize factory automation by allowing industrial robots to switch tasks in minutes rather than weeks. Presented at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, the company builds AI-driven robotic stations powered by proprietary foundation models. The startup recently announced a partnership with the BMW Group Technology Office to evaluate its AI-powered dexterous manipulation technology. Founded in 2021 by former Tesla engineers Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan, the company addresses the historical friction of rigid factory equipment.
