Rockwell buys Clearpath Robotics

Founded in 2009, Clearpath got its start offering robotics technology to global research and development markets, and in 2015, launched its OTTO Motors Division.

The acquisition will be funded by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Rockwell’s investment in PTC.

Rockwell Automation chairman and CEO Blake Moret says: “Rockwell and Clearpath together will simplify the difficult and labor-intensive task of moving materials and product through an orchestrated and safe system to optimise operations throughout the entire manufacturing facility.”

The AMRs will join broad portfolio or automated handling and orchestration products designed for the smart factory.

STIQ principal analyst Thomas Andersson says: “Rockwell most likely acquired Clearpath to build a software and components offering for the AGV and AMR sector with a similar proposition to Kollmorgen and BlueBotics (recently acquired by ZAPI GROUP).”