.lumen wins €11 million grant to develop autonomous delivery robots, together with partners

Cluj-Napoca, October 20, 2025 – Romanian deep-tech startup .lumen, best known for its AI-powered glasses for the blind, has secured an €11 million grant for the project “PABLO – Autonomous Robots for Urban Delivery”, funded under the Intelligent Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program 2021–2027.

The project brings together a consortium led by .lumen, alongside the Institute of Solid Mechanics of the Romanian Academy (IMSAR), BreadCrumbs Interactive (fleet management software), and Linnify (responsible for the development of the delivery app). Together, the teams are developing a new generation of humanoid and quadruped robots for urban delivery, designed to navigate autonomously on sidewalks and through crowded areas, offering a sustainable, efficient alternative to traditional delivery fleets.

“We’ve proven that PAD AI technology can help visually impaired individuals move independently. Now, we’re extending it to reimagine how goods move in cities. Imagine humanoid and quadruped robots walking on sidewalks, delivering your food or groceries,”said Cornel Amariei, CEO and founder of .lumen

“The PABLO project reflects our mission to turn fundamental research into real technological applications, through close collaboration between academia and industry. This synergy is an essential step in strengthening Romania’s ability to develop intelligent, sustainable, and competitive systems at a European level in robotics and autonomous mobility,” said Alexandru Gal, Researcher at IMSAR

With a total project value of 56,856,649.01 RON, of which 34,987,312.27 RON is non-reimbursable funding (21,309,568.52 RON from EU funds and 13,677,743.75 RON from the national budget), the project will run from September 16, 2025, to September 15, 2028, under the code MySMIS 333334.

The goal of the project is to develop an autonomous urban delivery solution, powered by intelligent humanoid and quadruped robots capable of reducing delivery costs and times, minimizing environmental impact, and meeting the growing demand for fast, flexible, and sustainable services. Expected outcomes include a complete software and hardware system for autonomous robots, the creation of three new R&D positions, a family of national and international patents, and copyright protection for AI-based pedestrian navigation software.

Through this project, Romania takes a major step toward turning autonomous robotics into a practical, real-world tool for urban life. In a global race to develop humanoid robots, Romania focuses on making them truly useful and tangible, technologies that bring real value to everyday life. By automating last-mile delivery, the project could offer Europe a strategic advantage and transform Romanian deep-tech into a model of sustainable urban logistics.

About .lumen

.lumen is a Romanian research startup developing Pedestrian Autonomous Driving (PAD AI), a technology first showcased through the .lumen Glasses for the Blind. Founded by Cornel Amariei, the company creates AI-powered mobility solutions that restore independence to the visually impaired — and now, autonomy to urban logistics.

About IMSAR

The Institute of Solid Mechanics of the Romanian Academy (IMSAR) is a research institution specialized in robotics, mechatronics, and artificial intelligence. Through its advanced infrastructure and scientific expertise, IMSAR contributes to the development and validation of autonomous technologies for urban mobility and intelligent robotics.

About BreadCrumbs Interactive

BreadCrumbs Interactive is a Cluj-Napoca-based technology company specializing in custom software solutions. Within the PABLO project, the company is developing a cloud-based system for managing fleets of humanoid and quadruped robots, integrating real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and reporting.

About Linnify

Linnify is a global technology partner that accelerates digital initiatives through custom software and AI-driven solutions. Within the project, Linnify is building the client interface that enables order placement, interaction with delivery robots, and user feedback — creating a seamless experience between restaurants, customers, and autonomous robots.

Project co-financed by the European Union through the Intelligent Growth, Digitalization, and Financial Instruments Program 2021–2027.

For detailed information about other programs co-financed by the European Union, please visit www.fonduri-ue.ro.

Press Contact

Bianca Iulia Simion | Chief Marketing Officer | .lumen | bianca@dotlumen.com | www.dotlumen.com