Black-Owned Firm’s New Partnership Brings Smart, Humanoid Robots To US Workplaces
Space Continuum, a Black-owned design and innovation firm, is partnering with German robotics leader NEURA Robotics. The partnership aims to bring next-generation humanoid robots to North America to help tackle workforce shortages.
Founded by industry veteran John Johnson, Space Continuum is best known for blending physical space design with emerging technologies. The firm’s portfolio includes projects at Rush University Medical Center, the University of Chicago, and the Barack Obama Presidential Library.
Robots designed to collaborate with humans
With this new partnership, Space Continuum aims to tackle workforce shortages and operational challenges across industries like healthcare, education, hospitality, and manufacturing.
At the center of the partnership are two of NEURA’s flagship robots: 4NE1, the world’s first cognitive humanoid teammate, and MiPA, a smart personal assistant. According to a press release, these machines are designed to understand human gestures, voices, and their environments, allowing them to collaborate with people.
In healthcare settings, MiPA helps with meal deliveries, patient reminders, and integrates with wearables to monitor health data. In classrooms, it can assist teachers with personalized support. In hotels, it handles tasks like cleaning and room service. Meanwhile, 4NE1 is designed to collaborate with human workers in factories, handling tasks like machine tending and material inspection in real time.
A Robotic Response to the Labor Crisis
Healthcare, manufacturing, education, and hospitality are grappling with severe workforce shortages. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 193,000 openings for registered nurses are projected each year through 2032. Meanwhile, the latest American Hotel & Lodging Association annual report revealed that nearly two-thirds (64.9%) of US hotels still dealing with staffing challenges.
“Together with NEURA Robotics, we’re introducing technology that doesn’t just automate, it collaborates,” said Joshua Johnson, the firm’s new president and son of founder John Johnson. “By solving real workforce challenges, we’re helping industries improve efficiency, reduce burnout, and create human-centered environments where people and robots work side by side.”
Image credit: Space Continuum
