Otto Motors Archives

Rockwell Completes Acquisition of Clearpath Robotics

Posted on 3 October, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), one of the world’s largest companies dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, has announced it completed its acquisition of Ontario, Canada-based Clearpath Robotics Inc., a leader in autonomous robotics, including autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for industrial applications.

The acquisition includes Clearpath Robotics’ namesake research division, a leader in developing autonomous technology for the innovation market, and the industrial division OTTO Motors, which provides AMRs, the next frontier in industrial automation and transformation. Both divisions report to Rockwell’s Intelligent Devices operating segment.

“We are delighted to welcome the Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors teams to Rockwell,” said Blake Moret, Chairman and CEO, Rockwell Automation. “This acquisition marks a turning point for our customers around the world. Rockwell is simplifying and transforming the difficult yet critical function of material handling throughout the manufacturing plant with an end-to-end production logistics solution. Production logistics is key to optimizing operations across an entire facility and bringing the Connected Enterprise to life.”

OTTO Motors will be featured at Rockwell’s Automation Fair, the world’s premier industrial automation and digital transformation event, Nov. 6-9 in Boston, where customers will see firsthand the significant impact that AMRs will have on productivity and safety across operations.

According to Interact Analysis, the market for AMRs in manufacturing is expected to grow about 30% per year over the next five years, with an estimated market size of $6.2 billion by 2027. This acquisition is expected to contribute a percentage point to Rockwell’s fiscal year 2024 revenue growth.

“Not only do AMRs connect islands of automation; they are often one of the final major elements that help manufacturers achieve autonomous production logistics, enabling significant value creation for the manufacturer and their customers,” said Amar Mehta, EY Americas Strategy and Transactions Advanced Manufacturing Leader. “Rockwell is a leader in the key hardware, software, and services that are needed to integrate AMRs into a manufacturing plant. With this acquisition, Rockwell enhances its ability to take manufacturers on a full end-to-end digital transformation for their production environments.”

Mitsubishi Electric Invests in OTTO Motors

Posted on 16 May, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a global leader in factory automation solutions, has announced a strategic investment in Clearpath Robotics, the parent company of autonomous mobile robot supplier, OTTO Motors.

With more than 4 million hours of production experience, OTTO Motors’ pioneering autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology and award-winning software are used by Fortune 500 companies to deliver productivity and safety in material handling operations. The investment expands the strategic relationship between OTTO Motors and Mitsubishi Electric, and strengthens the two companies’ commercial collaboration.

Mitsubishi Electric Invests

“Industrial automation is continuing to transform businesses around the world. As a globally-trusted leader with a strong mission to invest in continuous technological innovation and ceaseless creativity, Mitsubishi Electric has been an important partner for OTTO Motors. We are proud to have their continued support and share a vision to accelerate industrial automation globally. We look forward to pursuing the tremendous opportunity ahead,” said OTTO Motors’ CEO & Co-Founder, Matt Rendall.

“The relationship between Mitsubishi Electric and OTTO Motors is built upon years of respect and trust. OTTO Motors is well positioned to become a leader in industrial autonomy. We see a bright future ahead for OTTO Motors and are honored to support their continued success,” said Mitsubishi Electric’s Chief Strategy Officer, Satoshi Takeda.

New mid-sized Autonomous Mobile Robot

Posted on 20 March, 202325 July, 2025 by David Priestman

OTTO Motors, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), today unveiled its newest AMR, OTTO 600, the toughest and most nimble AMR in its class. With the launch of OTTO 600, OTTO Motors now offers the most comprehensive autonomous material handling fleet on the market. OTTO 600 unlocks important new workflows with its ability to move pallets, carts and other payloads up to 600 kg (1,322 lb). With an all-metal construction and IP54 rating, OTTO 600 follows the OTTO Motors legacy of AMRs built to deliver results in the most demanding of factory environments.

“In 2015, OTTO 1500 defined the heavy-class AMR category. In 2017, OTTO 100 quickly became responsible for the industry’s largest AMR installations. In 2022, we launched OTTO Lifter, the world’s first truly autonomous forklift. Today, we’re proud to announce OTTO 600, a mid-range AMR offering the perfect balance of strength and agility,” said Matt Rendall, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of OTTO Motors. “Powered by our industry-leading autonomous software, OTTO now offers an unmatched material handling portfolio.”

• Manoeuvrable in tight spaces: OTTO 600 offers capabilities of larger AMRs with the manoeuvrability needed to get around in constrained spaces like work cells.
• Durable build for demanding environments: In addition to a rugged, all-metal body, OTTO 600 offers a superior ability to withstand dust and fluids with IP54 construction.
• Fast and safe around people and objects: OTTO 600 works quickly and safely alongside people thanks to advanced sensors and OTTO’s proven autonomy software.
• Versatile to get different jobs done: Capable of moving carts and pallets, as well as connecting islands of automation, OTTO 600 unlocks limitless workflows including lineside delivery, work cell delivery and palletizer to stretch-wrapper transport.
• Key specs:
o 1,322 lb (600 kg) payload capacity
o 4.5 mph (2 m/s) maximum speed
o 1050/700/320 mm footprint
o IP54 rating

OTTO 600 is available through the existing global network of OTTO Motors system integrators and material handling solution providers. OTTO’s award-winning software is used by some of the world’s most recognized brands and Fortune 500 companies.

OTTO’s latest software release, 2.28, delivers faster and safer traffic movement and a new facility configuration interface for quicker workflow set-up. OTTO Motors invests heavily in software development to constantly evolve and deliver the smartest AMR software. This marks the sixth software release in the last three years. The OTTO AMR software-suite is the most proven solution in the industry with over four million hours of production driving experience and is trusted for large-scale deployments by the most reputed brands like Toyota and GE.

“The success of large-scale, deeply integrated deployments depends significantly on effective fleet management, which is why we are continuously evolving our fleet manager. In this software upgrade, we are introducing new traffic management functionality that enables users to create different rules of the road for groups of different OTTO AMRs in the facility, resulting in faster traffic movement and improved safety,” said Jay Judkowitz, VP of Product at OTTO Motors. “As our customers continue to deploy a variety of models from OTTO in complex environments, this is a game changer.”

Software release features include:
• Team-Based Traffic Control: Customers can create traffic zones for specific robot types. For example, operators can specify lanes where larger AMRs cannot enter, ensuring smaller AMRs remain unblocked and are able to keep moving for higher throughput.
• New and intuitive facility configuration interface: Customers can now save up to 50% of the time required to set up facility maps and workflows. It is also easier for customers to use, learn and adapt to the system.
• Interoperability: OTTO Motors was the first AMR vendor to support the well-known AGV standard, VDA5050, empowering customers to manage dissimilar types of material handling solutions from a third-party master controller interface.
• New pallet types: OTTO Lifter now supports BulkPak® 4845 HDMP series bins, enabling customers to move more pallets of their choice.

Since its inception, OTTO Motors has helped customers achieve throughput improvements as high as 600% and return on investment in as little as 11 months in different industry verticals. This launch of OTTO 600 and new software enables OTTO Motors to help manufacturers automate a larger part of their material handling operations and achieve higher ROI. OTTO 600 and the latest software will be showcased in booth #N7537 at PROMAT on March 20-23, 2023 in Chicago IL.

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