Juna.ai, a German startup, is using artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionize factory operations by making them more energy-efficient. AI agents, which are software programs capable of performing tasks and making decisions, have gained significant attention in recent years due to advancements in generative AI and large language models. Unlike simple chatbots, AI agents focus on delivering actionable solutions, helping users handle complex tasks with greater efficiency. Juna.ai takes this concept further by integrating AI into manufacturing processes to optimize energy usage, maximize production output, and reduce emissions.
Founded in 2023 by Matthias Auf der Mauer and Christian Hardenberg, Juna.ai draws on the co-founders' expertise in AI and industrial processes. Auf der Mauer, who previously founded a predictive maintenance startup, and Hardenberg, the former chief technology officer of Delivery Hero, aim to modernize energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, and chemicals. Their platform integrates with existing production tools, like those from Aveva or SAP, to analyze historical sensor data from machines. This data, which includes variables such as temperature, pressure, and product quality, is used to train AI models. These models provide real-time guidance to factory operators, helping them fine-tune machinery settings for optimal efficiency and minimal waste.
The key technology behind Juna.ai is reinforcement learning, a branch of machine learning where systems learn by interacting with their environment. This approach allows the AI agents not only to predict outcomes but also to recommend actions. For instance, in a chemical plant, the system might analyze data from a reactor to suggest adjustments to gas levels, oil ratios, or temperature, improving output while reducing residual waste. While the platform currently acts as a "copilot" by providing actionable insights to operators, it has the potential to automate repetitive tasks entirely, allowing systems to adjust machinery autonomously.
Rather than focusing on labor savings, Juna.ai emphasizes the cost benefits of optimizing energy-intensive processes. Factories, which already operate with a high degree of automation, stand to gain more from reducing multimillion-dollar energy expenses than from cutting personnel costs. By fine-tuning production systems, Juna.ai helps manufacturers lower operational costs and their carbon footprint simultaneously.
The company is also working to streamline its implementation process. While its AI agents are currently tailored to individual customers using their historical data, Juna.ai plans to develop pre-trained models in the future. These models could be deployed across similar industries with minimal customization, reducing setup time. For example, two factories using the same type of chemical reactor might share an AI model, making it easier for new customers to adopt the technology. To address common concerns about data privacy, Juna.ai ensures strict security standards and offers localized data storage, keeping sensitive information within national borders for its German clients.
With $7.5 million in seed funding from investors such as Kleiner Perkins and Norrsken VC, Juna.ai is well-positioned to grow. The funding will allow the company to expand its team and enhance its technical capabilities. Although its current customers are based in Germany, many have international connections, which provides opportunities for global expansion. Juna.ai’s ultimate goal is to help factories unlock the full potential of their data, transforming them into intelligent, self-learning systems that operate more efficiently and sustainably. By focusing on energy optimization, the company is poised to make a significant impact on industries striving to reduce both costs and emissions.
