Rockwell Automation Completes Acquisition of Autonomous Robotics Supplier Clearpath Robotics

Author photo: Craig Resnick
ByCraig Resnick
Category:
Acquisition or Partnership

Rockwell Automation announced that is has it completed its acquisition of Clearpath Robotics, an Ontario, Canada-based supplier of autonomous robotics, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial applications. The acquisition includes Autonomous RoboticsClearpath Robotics’ namesake research division, a developer of autonomous technology, and the industrial division OTTO Motors, which provides AMRs. Both divisions report to Rockwell Automation’s Intelligent Devices operating segment.

According to the ARC Advisory Group's Craig Resnick, "AMRs are a form of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that can be implemented without adding any supporting infrastructure, such as markers, wires or magnets implanted in the factory floor or precisely located laser targets. There are two types of AMRs, solutions based on fleet management and solutions that rely on picking optimization. Fleet management solutions typically operate with bigger payloads and route the robots from an origin to a destination.  Pick optimization robots integrate the movement of machines and people in a process flow designed to increase picking throughput. 

“ARC's AMR Market Research Study indicates that this is a fast-growing market, fueled by the challenge of hiring workers in warehouses and factories, the increased flexibility of these solution, the growth in ecommerce, and the number venture capital investments in the market."

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