Torque Forge

Torque Forge partners with material handling OEMs to develop intelligent motion-control technology that improves safety, ergonomics, operator productivity, and equipment performance. Our reusable hardware and software architecture enables manufacturers to deliver smarter products today while building a practical path toward progressively autonomous material handling systems.

Rather than replacing existing products, we enable OEMs to deliver more capable versions of the equipment they already build at a cost that often allows them to maintain or even improve existing product margins.

Torque Forge develops embedded control technology that transforms conventional equipment into intelligent systems capable of adapting to operators, loads, and changing operating conditions. Whether integrated into hoists, conveyors, lift assists, or other material handling equipment, our architecture helps manufacturers accelerate development while reducing technical risk.

Torque-Aware Motion

Intelligent control continuously responds to changing load conditions, improving operator control while reducing unnecessary forces on equipment.

Embedded Intelligence

Collect operational data directly at the tool, enabling diagnostics, optimization, predictive maintenance, and future automation.

Reusable Architecture

Modular hardware and firmware designed for rapid integration across multiple product families and applications.

Human-Compatible Automation

Assist operators today while providing a practical migration path toward increasingly autonomous material handling systems.

Faster Development

Leverage proven embedded technology to accelerate new product development without reinventing core control systems.

Reduced Technical Risk

Our modular architecture isolates change, allowing new capabilities to be added without redesigning the entire product.

Differentiated Products

Deliver intelligent features that improve ergonomics, operator experience, diagnostics, and productivity.

Future Ready

Create products capable of supporting tomorrow's automation strategies while delivering measurable value today.

News release: October 1, 2024

Torque Forge is a new company co-founded by Luke Koran (retiring Navy fighter pilot and Defense Acquisitions Officer), Aaron Hulse (Rethink Motion co-founder), and Elliott Potter (Rethink Motion co-founder). Torque Forge is aiming to disrupt the material handling industry with Rethink Motion's patented torque control technology. Rethink Motion's technology has proven highly successful in two separate industries (commercial exercise equipment and managed pressure drilling). The broad use technology provides a sense of touch to machines, making human interaction with machines safer and more natural, and enabling machines to detect disturbances in their environment. This capability unlocks new possibilities to streamline, simplify, and improve the safety of traditional material handling tasks. The entry product is called the Gravity Offload Hoist, and among other things it enables users to very precisely interact with loads carried by a hoist by physically handling the suspended load rather than having to rely solely on a pendant or wireless remote. A fully functioning prototype has already been developed and will be showcased at FABTECH 2024 in Orlando, FL this October. Torque Forge's follow-on schedule includes certification of a production design and product launch in Q4 2025.

News release: October 16, 2024

Come see us in the Nabtesco booth at FABTECH 2024!

News update: October 16, 2024

For more videos from FABTECH 2024, check out our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@TorqueForge-j8f/videos!

Luke Koran - Luke's 20-year career in the Navy as an F/A-18 fighter pilot and defense acquisitions professional prepared him to lead at every level in combat and business. He has a track record of building high performing teams, formulating a sound strategic vision, and fielding disruptive technologies to those most in need. As a former Operational Test Pilot, he understands the importance of user engagement to delivering a product that contributes meaningfully to success. As a robotics engineer and a career military officer, he is driven by a commitment of service to front-line workers and an authentic pride in the industrial base they propel.

Aaron Hulse - As an engineer at NASA, Aaron worked at the cutting edge of Robotics for nearly 2 decades on some of the most challenging problems on earth and in space. When he cofounded his first company he sought the independence needed to accelerate delivery of highly disruptive technology to industries that don't typically invest in robotics technology. As an inventor and patent holder, Aaron has worked with Elliott Potter at Rethink Motion to supply critical technology elements that enable Technogym's Biostrength weightless exercise equipment line and Premium Oilfield Technology's managed pressure drilling chokes making Rethink the world's #1 best-selling series elastic actuator technology supplier. The same technology runs Torque Forge's Gravity Offload Hoist product.

Elliott Potter - From the Federal Aviation Administration to petrochemical refining to crew health maintenance and robotics at NASA, Elliott's career has been focused on systems that must be robust, reliable, and interact with human operators in safe, predictable ways. As a cofounder of Rethink Motion, he was able to apply these experiences to design effective, reliable, maintainable systems for industries that have not historically engaged with cutting-edge technology. This focus continues at Torque Forge, with the opportunity to bring material handling into the 21st century.