Industrial Next enables factory robots to switch tasks in minutes using AI

Industrial Next, a San Francisco-based startup founded by Lukas Pankau and Allen Pan, has developed AI-driven, self-contained robotic stations powered by proprietary foundation models that connect vision, task context, and motion. This technology allows production lines to be retooled in minutes instead of weeks without traditional programming, aiming to automate complex and delicate tasks previously requiring human labor. The company announced a partnership with BMW Group Technology Office to evaluate its AI-powered dexterous manipulation for manufacturing.