Bleu Robotics Secures €5M to Accelerate Humanoid Robot Adoption in ASEAN Factories

Bleu Robotics: A New Era for Humanoid Robots in ASEAN Factories \\[2pt] In a significant move that could reshape the manufacturing landscape, Bleu Robotics, a Paris-based startup, has secured a €5 million pre-seed round. This funding, co-led by Contrarian Ventures and OVNI Capital, with participation from other notable investors, will be used to expand the team and scale their innovative software solution across various industries. The goal is to reduce the deployment time of humanoid robots in factories to just one hour or less, a feat that could revolutionize the way factories in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia operate. \\[2pt] According to the International Federation of Robotics, there were 5 million industrial robots operating globally in 2025. However, these robots are primarily designed for repetitive, fixed tasks and struggle to adapt to the high-mix, low-volume production that is increasingly common in modern manufacturing. This is where humanoid robots come into play. These advanced machines can handle a wider range of complex tasks, but their deployment has been limited by the slow pace of software development. \\[2pt] Bleu Robotics takes a unique approach to bridge this gap. Their technology eliminates the need for large, task-specific datasets and long training cycles, making it possible to deploy robots cost-effectively and at scale. Instead of relying on end-to-end models, Bleu's abductive learning model allows the robot to learn a new task from as few as ten operator demonstrations. This not only reduces the time and resources required for training but also ensures the high accuracy and safety standards demanded by industrial environments. \\[2pt] For factories in ASEAN, this means a more flexible and adaptable workforce. In Thailand, where the automotive industry is a key economic driver, humanoid robots could help manufacturers respond more quickly to changing market demands. In Vietnam, which is rapidly becoming a hub for electronics manufacturing, these robots could streamline production processes and improve efficiency. In Indonesia and Malaysia, where the food packaging and semiconductor industries are growing, humanoid robots could provide the precision and reliability needed to meet stringent quality standards. \\[2pt] Benoît Berkoukchi, co-founder of Bleu Robotics, emphasizes the potential of their technology: 'Humanoid robots in manufacturing are the next big thing, with the potential to help Europe and the US reshore production. But most robotics companies are trying to train humanoids with millions of data points and build fully general-purpose models. That approach isn't suited to manufacturing. Our methodology means we can do more with less.' \\[2pt] The company is already working with two major industrial companies and is building partnerships with robot distributors. With each deployment, the model will benefit from real-world data, making it more reliable and faster to roll out. The ambition is to become the go-to software for manufacturers looking to deploy and manage robotic work at scale. \\[2pt] For factory buyers in ASEAN, the takeaway is clear: Bleu Robotics offers a promising solution to the challenges of high-mix, low-volume production. By reducing deployment times and improving adaptability, these humanoid robots could be the key to staying competitive in an ever-evolving manufacturing landscape.