Helsing launches Area 9 research unit and unveils European robotics platform – Resilience Media
AI Analysis
Helsing, a defense AI company, has launched 'Area 9', a research division focused on robotics, and unveiled RX-1, a European-built robotics research platform. RX-1 is designed for durability and AI-enabled autonomy research, with initial deployments to ETH Zurich and INRIA. This move expands Helsing's capabilities beyond autonomous aviation and signals a push for European defense technology sovereignty.
Key Takeaways
- Helsing established 'Area 9' research division led by Chief Scientist Antoine Bordes.
- RX-1 is a fully European-designed and manufactured robotics platform.
- RX-1 will be used by ETH Zurich and INRIA for AI-enabled autonomy research.
- Helsing's Centaur AI pilot (tested on Saab Gripen) forms the foundation for their CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft.
- The initiative aims to reduce reliance on non-European robotics platforms.
Why It Matters
The development of sovereign European robotics capabilities is crucial for maintaining a technological edge and reducing strategic dependencies. Helsing's RX-1 platform and Area 9 division demonstrate a commitment to advancing AI-driven robotics for defense applications, potentially impacting future battlefield technologies and autonomous systems development. This also highlights a broader trend of European nations investing in independent defense capabilities.
Helsing launches Area 9 research unit and unveils European robotics platform – Resilience Media
Monday 1 June, 2026
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Helsing launches Area 9 research unit and unveils European robotics platform
Defence tech startup is expanding into robotics with a new research division and a European-built autonomous systems platform
Helsing has launched a new advanced research division and unveiled its first European-built robotics research platform as the defence AI company expands beyond autonomous aviation and into next-generation robotic systems.
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Announced at the Paris Air Show, Area 9 is Helsing‘s new in-house research outfit. The group is headed by chief scientist Antoine Bordes and is tasked with turning experimental AI work into technology that can actually be fielded. Its first major success was Centaur, the AI pilot Helsing developed for air combat testing.
Centaur, which has already flown aboard Saab’s Gripen fighter aircraft, now forms the technological foundation of Helsing’s planned CA-1 Europa autonomous combat aircraft. With the creation of Area 9, the company is now turning its attention to robotics.
The division’s first project is RX-1, a robotics research platform designed and manufactured entirely in Europe. Helsing said the system has been developed as a sovereign alternative to robotics platforms produced outside the continent and will be made available to universities and research institutions across Europe.
The company also announced partnerships with ETH Zurich and France’s INRIA research institute, both of which will deploy RX-1 to support research into AI-enabled autonomy.
Marco Hutter, Professor at ETH Zurich, said: “RX-1 is an advanced, European-developed hardware platform enabling exciting field robotics research. We look forward to collaborating with Antoine’s team at Area 9 to push outdoor autonomy.”
While Helsing has disclosed few technical details about the platform itself, the company says RX-1 has been designed for durability and operation in challenging environments.
Bordes said: “RX-1 is designed in Europe and manufactured in Europe, including crucial components as our in-house designed actuators. Our robotics team has created a platform that is exceptionally strong, can withstand the elements, and will serve as a research platform across multiple teams in Europe.”
The announcement reflects a broader push across Europe to strengthen sovereign defense techn