Unichem acquires Loomia to accelerate entry into the humanoid ‘skin’ market

Loomia’s Smart Skin Tactile Sensing Dev Kit includes both capacitive and force-sensitive resistor sensors. Source: Loomia

Sensing “skin” is among the technologies in development around physical AI including humanoid robots. Materials company Uni-Chem Co. this month acquired Loomia Technologies Inc. to enter the market for “electronic skin” for humanoids, as well as the market for interior materials for smart mobility.

Flexible electronics maker Loomia previously partnered with R&Y Corp. to jointly develop and mass-produce next-generation tactile sensors for robots.

“Loomia’s core technology will become the core hardware of the tactile revolution, going beyond just vision to drive innovation in robotics,” stated an executive in charge of strategy at Unichem. “Based on our strong manufacturing foundry partnership with R&Y, we aim to establish a foothold for targeting the North American market and concentrate our company-wide capabilities to ensure that Unichem’s smart materials are incorporated as key components into the next-generation physical AI projects of leading global tech companies.”

Stanford University graduate Madison Maxey founded Loomia in 2014. The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company ‘s proprietary LEL (Loomia Electronic Layer) technology allows for flexible bonding of electronic circuits to cloth and leather.

Loomia said it has “overcome the disconnection issue during bending, a drawback of traditional printed electronics, with its non-printed, low-resistance mesh technology.” The company is a member of the National Science Foundation’s ( NSF ) Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity Engineering Research Center ( HAND ERC ). The tactile sensing consortium also includes Meta and Amazon Robotics .

Last year, Loomia launched its first tactile sensing developer kit , which is currently sold out . The physical AI company has worked with industrial automation and robotic hand provider Festo . It said it is making tactile sensors more affordable and easier to integrate for robotics developers.

Founded in 1976, Unichem produces natural leather goods for the automotive interior and fashion industries. The Ansan, South Korea-based company said the acquisition will accelerate its shift to smart materials for global automakers such as Volkswagen Group.

Unichem has secured 100% of Loomia’s shares for about 8.6 billion won ($6 million U.S.), which is equivalent to 6.5% of the capital. The transaction amount will be paid in installments with a diversified structure, including $4 million in cash, $1 million in Unichem common stock, and $1 million in earn-out claw-backs.

The company said it expects to complete the acquisition process on Oct. 15 through a reverse triangular merger with a newly established Unichem subsidiary.