Insider Brief:
- Rockwell Automation has officially begun production of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at its Milwaukee headquarters, following its 2023 acquisition of Clearpath Robotics.
- The new facility is assembling the OTTO 600 and OTTO 1200 models, designed to safely transport heavy materials in complex factory environments using advanced navigation and communication technology.
- This expansion strengthens Rockwell’s U.S.-based manufacturing capacity for AMRs and supports its $2 billion strategy to increase automation resiliency and customer proximity.
PRESS RELEASE — Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, today announced the first autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have officially rolled off the production line at its global headquarters in Milwaukee.
The milestone marks a significant step for OTTO by Rockwell Automation, part of the company’s 2023 acquisition of Clearpath Robotics, and reinforces Rockwell’s commitment to advancing smart manufacturing through automation.
The new 25,000 square feet OTTO production space at the Milwaukee campus is now assembling the OTTO 600 and OTTO 1200 AMRs, robots designed to move heavy materials safely and efficiently across busy factory floors and in tight spaces. By reducing reliance on manual forklifts, the AMRs help manufacturers increase safety, improve transition times, minimize damage to goods, and create more resilient and sustainable operations.
“The expansion strengthens our portfolio of advanced material handling solutions and underscores Rockwell’s leadership as the largest industrial automation company building AMRs in the U.S.,” says Robert Buttermore, senior vice president and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Rockwell Automation. “It’s also a showcase for our customers, demonstrating how seamlessly and safely these technologies can transform their operations.”
What makes these robots unique:
- Laser scanners scan the room more than 30 times per second, building a virtual map in their memory of the room around them.
- Through shared communication, each robot is aware of the other robots in the room and their locations, even around corners.
- Every OTTO AMR completes over 15 miles of driving before being considered ready to ship to the customer.
Expanding OTTO production to Milwaukee is part of Rockwell’s broader strategy to enhance manufacturing resiliency. Clearpath and OTTO will continue producing AMRs at their Canadian facilities in Ontario, while the Milwaukee operation adds capacity and proximity to U.S. customers. This move follows Rockwell’s recent announcement of a $2 billion investment in plants, digital infrastructure, and talent to grow share, build resilience, and expand margins.
The new production space at Milwaukee headquarters is opening on schedule, just ahead of November’s Automation Fair in Chicago. Customer tours of the OTTO Milwaukee space are expected to start in early 2026.
Photo credit: Rockwell Automation
