French Robot Firm Faces Liquidation

(MENAFN) Aldebaran, a French firm that led advancements in ‘empathetic’ humanoid robotics during the late 2000s, has reportedly been forced into liquidation, according to local news outlets.

The innovative company initially entered bankruptcy proceedings in January, which was followed by a receivership order the next month.

On Monday, the receiver and auctioneer jointly declared the “immediate cessation of activity,” and confirmed the dismissal of the company’s last 106 employees.

This development was confirmed by Othman Meslouh, the deputy secretary of Aldebaran’s social and economic committee (CSE).

The decision was finalized by the Paris Commercial Court earlier the same day.

The receiver is now anticipated to begin the process of liquidating Aldebaran’s valuable assets, such as its patents, to cover the company’s unpaid liabilities, which have surpassed EURO60 million (approximately USD68 million).

In the past few months, two potential buyers—Franco-Swiss entrepreneur Jean-Marie Van Appelghem and Canadian financier Malik Bachouchi—submitted proposals to acquire the company.

However, Van Appelghem’s offer was not endorsed by either the receiver or Aldebaran’s leadership.

Meanwhile, Bachouchi's offer was turned down by the court, as he explained in a statement to a news agency.

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