Munich Startup: What does Ease do? What problem do you solve?
Christina Harbauer: We offer a solution for manual workplaces that cannot be automated and will continue to rely on human flexibility in the future. With our unique exoskeleton, we support workers in logistics and production. For our customers, this means higher productivity, a healthier workforce, and a generally better working environment. This saves costs and increases productivity thanks to fatigue-free work!
Munich Startup: But that's been around for a long time!
Christina Harbauer: We start exactly where other exoskeletons stop. Our exoskeletons are specifically tailored to the needs of workplaces and people. To achieve this, we analyzed hundreds of workplaces, talked to the people who work there, and even worked there for extended periods ourselves. This allowed us to develop a system that supports lifting and carrying loads like no other. Our end users also confirm this. Our system supports both the back and arms – the body parts that most frequently appear in the health statistics at relevant workplaces.
We also use intention recognition, an artificial intelligence (AI) that responds instantly to the user's needs and adapts the support accordingly. This allows the worker to fully concentrate on their work and not even notice they are wearing an exoskeleton. Thus, with our exoskeleton, we bridge the gap between humans and the human-centric Industry 5.0. It's practically a complete, worry-free package for anyone who knows that human flexibility will continue to play an important role in our value creation in the future.
Ease: From research to practice
Munich Startup: What is your founding story?
Christina Harbauer: Since 2017, I've been researching exoskeletons for industrial use at the Chair of Ergonomics at TUM. Initially as a pure research platform, I developed a laboratory prototype with my then colleague and now co-founder Martin, entirely focused on the needs of people in the workplace. Our co-founders Peter and Noah also joined the project while still students.
During our analyses with industry experts, we received very positive feedback and were even asked, "When can we finally buy this?" We then decided to turn this side project into a startup and put the research into practice. Letters of Intent (LoIs) from potential users and a successful application for the EXIST research transfer program confirmed that this is a product that is truly urgently needed on the market.
Munich Startup: What have been your biggest challenges so far?
Christina Harbauer: User acceptance is a major issue with exoskeletons, but users aren't the ones who buy them. Pilot projects are initiated by a company's management. Ultimately, however, it's the workers on the shop floor who decide whether an exoskeleton becomes established in the company. This awareness must be created within companies, which makes it a very sales-focused topic. Expectation management and process integration must be right.
Failed attempts in the past can lead to a "scorched earth" situation among both customers and investors. However, thanks to our ergonomics research, we have a deep understanding of user acceptance of exoskeletons. With this experience, we can provide our customers with personalized support as they introduce this new technology into their processes and workforce, ensuring its success within the company.
Munich Startup: Where would you like to be in one year, where in five years?
Christina Harbauer: We recently successfully conducted extended field tests with the first companies and received very positive feedback. This means we have achieved our proof of concept. Building on this, we are currently negotiating our first paid pilots for next year. In these pilots, companies will use our exoskeletons for several months, and we will work with them to further develop the systems to product maturity and certification. For the co-financing For the pilot project, we are currently in the process of acquiring a seed round of €500,000 and additional public funding. To meet the challenges ahead, we also need support within the team, which is why we are looking to hire our first two key hires in sales and technology.
In five years, we have scaled up our production and are now selling our exoskeleton and customized services internationally through a dealer network. To this end, we will establish our IoT interface and offer real-time data analytics specifically tailored to our customers' needs as standard.
Munich as a deeptech location with tailwind
Munich Startup: How have you experienced Munich as a startup location so far?
Christina Harbauer: As a startup, we find Munich to be one of the best places to start a business. The support here is excellent – from professional coaching and modern prototyping options to plenty of affordable office space. The network is broad and very active: You can quickly find access to experienced mentors, dedicated coaches, and other founders. The proximity to the Technical University of Munich (TUM) provides additional expertise and access to talent. The targeted support for female founders and the variety of topic-specific networks are particularly positive. Munich thus offers a strong, open, and supportive ecosystem for startups.
Munich Startup: Hidden champion or shooting star?
Christina Harbauer: Hidden champion. We improve the lives of people who keep our society running in the background: in logistics, production, and, in the future, also in areas like care and skilled trades.
