This is Kraken

At SPS 2024, Kraken Innovations presented the new technology and new sizes, which have been developed for use in drive technology, medical technology, logistics, measurement technology and the semiconductor industry, for the first time live. The most important new features include an enlarged hollow shaft for greater flexibility, economy performance class and an innovative bearing concept for an installation length that is up to 50% shorter.

The new CLR-EE (59 mm, 74 mm, 88 mm) and CLR-TS (148 mm) sizes were introduced in the fall of 2024. The new gearboxes offer a wide range of possible applications and meet the highest precision and rigidity requirements despite their compact size. They also make it even easier to integrate Kraken gearboxes into various drive systems.

The first trade fair appearance at SPS Italia in Parma took place at the end of May 2024. The sensor integration in the Kraken gearbox and thus pioneering analysis functions celebrated their world premiere.

The patent for the implementation of sensor technology in the Kraken gearbox and the direct recording of various measured variables on the gear element was filed in May 2024.

The funding approval for the FFG follow-up programme enables the continuation and completion of the sensor concept developed to date as part of the FFG general programme, including a predictive maintenance solution. The project is being carried out in collaboration with the AC2T (Austrian Excellence Centre for Tribology) in Wiener Neustadt.

Together with the Know Center in Graz, a leading European centre for trustworthy AI and data science research, the further development of integrated transmission sensors is being addressed. The focus here is on predictive maintenance and virtual sensor technology.

The use of AI for determining the service life and analysing measurement signals within the Kraken gearbox is to be investigated as part of the AWS AI Start funding. The aim is to reliably determine values such as torque, speed, temperature and a change over time (virtual sensor).

In November 2023, the first size of the developed G-CSR series, the G-CSR- TS-0098-0096 gearbox, and a gearbox-motor solution (offered by Nanotec) were presented at the SPS trade fair in Nuremberg.

Overload tests of the G-CSR series were successfully carried out. This allows calculations and simulations to be verified and various application scenarios to be tested.

The first round of financing ends successfully with the addition of a second investor, Steirische Wirtschaftsförderungsgesellschaft m.b.H. SFG. As a subsidiary of the Province of Styria, SFG supports the upcoming growth and promotes further innovations in connection with the patented gearbox solution.

Together with Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, the innovative gearbox concept was presented for the first time at the SPS trade fair. SPS (smart production solutions) stands for smart and digital automation.

Der Gründerpreis PHÖNIX unterstreicht die Bedeutung von Österreich als Innovationsstandort. Vergeben wurde der Preis vom Bundesminister für Digitalisierung und Wirtschaftsstandort sowie dem Bundesminister für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung. In der Kategorie „Prototypen“ wurde die Getriebelösung unter die besten fünf Projekte gewählt.

Our second newsletter was published on 2 November 2022 and can be downloaded here.

Kraken Innovations was nominated as one of the top 10 projects for the S&B Award 2022. The prize is awarded annually by the Rudolf Sallinger Fund for early commercialisation ideas based on a scientific achievement.

The funding programme was approved in June, providing an essential basis for the upcoming market launch in order to close the gap between prototypes and market-ready gearboxes. Kraken Innovations GmbH is hereby funded by Seedfinancing – Deep Tech of the BMDW and the BMK, respectively, processed by the aws.

Our first newsletter can be downloaded here.

A key milestone was reached at the beginning of the year – the onboarding of an investor. Nanotec Electronic GmbH & Co. KG, a German company specialising in the manufacture of high-quality motors and control systems, not only became a shareholder, but also provided support in the form of industry expertise in the field of drive solutions.

For the development of the integrated sensor concept and the implementation of a predictive maintenance solution, we launched the “Smart Gear” project together with our partners from science and industry, which is supported by the FFG as part of the General Programme funding.

With the patent application “Koaxialgetriebe” with priority 16.11.2021, a new functional principle for the kinematic conversion of the gearbox was applied for at the WIPO.

Die Marke „Kraken Innovations“ wurde im Juni 2021 als Unions-Wortbildmarke in der Europäischen Union angemeldet. Die offizielle Erteilung der Marke erfolgte im September 2021.

Both inventions (“coaxial gearbox” and “geared motor”) were developed and patented together with Graz University of Technology. The granted patents and further patent applications were taken over in August 2021. All future IPs of the ongoing cooperation will be registered directly by Kraken Innovations GmbH.

On 19 February 2021, Kraken Innovations GmbH, based in Graz, was founded by Philipp Eisele, Michael Michelitsch and Daniel Fürhapter. This was the official start for a strong future in the field of intelligent drive technology.

The business model was defined in more detail through participation in the Science Park Academy. Based on a convincing presentation, this led to incubation by Science Park Graz at the end of 2020. Since then, its employees have been supporting the company’s development with their wide-ranging expertise.

With priority 28.07.2020, the patent “Getriebemotor”  was registered at the Austrian Patent Office. The patent includes an electric motor into the gear structure.

The project “Smart Gear” was initially funded by the Institute of Production Engineering (TU Graz) and subsequently by the AWS funding “large prototype funding”. Hence, Kraken Innovations GmbH could develop the innovative gear technology thoroughly.

A patent for the innovative gearing concept with pistons as transmission elements was filed with the Austrian Patent Office on 26.7.2019 (priority date).

With the support of “Gründungsgarage”, the academic startup accelerator of TU Graz, a business model was developed together with mentors. The idea clearly convinced the jury in the final pitch and was chosen as the winner of Volume XII 2019.

The idea for a new, revolutionary gearbox, the “Smart Gear”, was initiated by Michael Michelitsch and Philipp Eisele. It started within their Master’s studies at Graz University of Technology at the beginning of 2019. The initial considerations were quickly transformed into a clear vision.