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By The Robot Report Staff | October 10, 2024
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Organization: Rockwell Automation
Country: U.S.
Website: https://www.rockwellautomation.com/en-us.html
Year Founded: 1903
Number of Employees: 500+
Innovation Class: Business & Management
Rockwell Automation acquired Clearpath Robotics and its subsidiary OTTO Motors in late 2023 for nearly $600 million. Clearpath develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for research and development purposes.
But Rockwell did this deal for OTTO Motors, a leading developer of AMRs for manufacturing and logistics applications. This deal points to the importance of automation in industrial settings and positions the companies as clear leaders in the burgeoning field of AMRs.
The acquisition enables Rockwell Automation to expand its portfolio of smart manufacturing systems and capitalize on the increasing demand for flexible automation. By integrating OTTO Motors’ AMR technology into its product offerings, the company can provide customers with a comprehensive suite to improve materials handling productivity and efficiency across a variety of industries.
The acquisition also reinforces Rockwell Automation’s commitment to innovation and driving business growth and competitiveness for its customers. According to Interact Analysis, the market for AMRs in manufacturing could grow about 30% per year over the next five years, with an estimated market size of $6.2 billion by 2027. Rockwell is now well-positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.
“Rockwell and Clearpath together will simplify the difficult and labor-intensive task of moving materials and product through an orchestrated and safe system to optimize operations throughout the entire manufacturing facility,” said Blake Moret, chairman and CEO of Rockwell Automation.
“The combination of autonomous robots and PLC-based line control has long been a dream of plant managers in industries as diverse as automotive and consumer packaged goods,” he noted. “With Clearpath, Rockwell is uniquely positioned to make that dream a reality across virtually all discrete and hybrid verticals, optimizing planning, operations, and the workforce.”
Explore the RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024.
RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards 2024
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| Advanced Construction Robotics | IronBOT makes rebar installation faster, safer |
| Agility Robotics | Digit humanoid gets feet wet with logistics work |
| Amazon Robotics | Amazon strengthens portfolio with heavy-duty AGV |
| Ambi Robotics | AmbiSort uses real-world data to improve picking |
| Apptronik | Apollo humanoid features bespoke linear actuators |
| Boston Dynamics | Atlas shows off unique skills for humanoid |
| Brightpick | Autopicker applies mobile manipulation, AI to warehouses |
| Capra Robotics | Hircus AMR bridges gap between indoor, outdoor logistics |
| Dexterity | Dexterity stacks robotics and AI for truck loading |
| Disney | Disney brings beloved characters to life through robotics |
| Doosan | App-like Dart-Suite eases cobot programming |
| Electric Sheep | Vertical integration positions landscaping startup for success |
| Exotec | Skypod ASRS scales to serve automotive supplier |
| FANUC | FANUC ships one-millionth industrial robot |
| Figure | Startup builds working humanoid within one year |
| Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics | evoBot features unique mobile manipulator design |
| Gardarika Tres | Develops de-mining robot for Ukraine |
| Geek+ | Upgrades PopPick goods-to-person system |
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| Harvard University | Exoskeleton improves walking for people with Parkinson’s disease |
| ifm efector | Obstacle Detection System simplifies mobile robot development |
| igus | ReBeL cobot gets low-cost, human-like hand |
| Instock | Instock turns fulfillment processes upside down with ASRS |
| Kodama Systems | Startup uses robotics to prevent wildfires |
| Kodiak Robotics | Autonomous pickup truck to enhance U.S. military operations |
| KUKA | Robotic arm leader doubles down on mobile robots for logistics |
| Locus Robotics | Mobile robot leader surpasses 2 billion picks |
| MassRobotics Accelerator | Equity-free accelerator positions startups for success |
| Mecademic | MCS500 SCARA robot accelerates micro-automation |
| MIT | Robotic ventricle advances understanding of heart disease |
| Mujin | TruckBot accelerates automated truck unloading |
| Mushiny | Intelligent 3D sorter ramps up throughput, flexibility |
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| NVIDIA | Nova Carter gives mobile robots all-around sight |
| Olive Robotics | EdgeROS eases robotics development process |
| OpenAI | LLMs enable embedded AI to flourish |
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| Renovate Robotics | Rufus robot automates installation of roof shingles |
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| Sereact | PickGPT harnesses power of generative AI for robotics |
| Simbe Robotics | Scales inventory robotics deal with BJ’s Wholesale Club |
| Slip Robotics | Simplifies trailer loading/unloading with heavy-duty AMR |
| Symbotic | Walmart-backed company rides wave of logistics automation demand |
| Toyota Research Institute | Builds large behavior models for fast robot teaching |
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| Universal Robots | Cobot leader strengthens lineup with UR30 |
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