Simulation showing RightHand Robotics RightPick solution fulfilling orders from an AutoStore ASRS in collaboration with AMRs from OTTO Motors. | Credit: Rockwell Automation.
RightHand Robotics, a leader in robotic piece-picking for logistics operations, has received a strategic investment from Rockwell Automation. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. Rockwell Automation is one of the world’s leading industrial automation providers.
Rockwell’s investment comes at a pivotal moment for RightHand Robotics. It right-sized its operation in 2024 and co-founder Yaro Tenzer stepped in as CEO to expand operations in Europe and North America.
The backing from Rockwell provides both financial stability and industry credibility to help RightHand Robotics scale its RightPick 4 piece-picking technology. RightPick 4 leverages artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotic grippers to autonomously pick individual items of varying shapes and sizes in different workflows.
During a recent visit to RightHand’s new office in Charlestown, Mass., The Robot Report watched a real-time dashboard track active picks in deployments across North America and Eastern Europe. According to RightHand, its systems are actively picking millions of individual items per month with intervention rates as low as 0.01%.
“In automation, it’s all about reducing risk for customers,” Tenzer told The Robot Report. “Having RightPick be part of the Rockwell ecosystem and having their integration expertise ensures the longevity of the systems for many years to come. This collaboration will help bring our technology to Rockwell customers around the world and will accelerate our time to profitability. It’s a win-win for everyone.”
Rockwell’s extensive global network and deep relationships with major industrial and logistics firms could help accelerate the adoption of the RightPick solution. Integration with Rockwell’s automation platforms could also increase the system’s performance and scalability.
“Rockwell Automation recognizes the importance of the system integrator ecosystem in providing complete automated systems to the market,” said Evan Kaiser, industry sales director for warehousing and logistics at Rockwell Automation. “RightHand Robotics enables us to bring more tools to empower these integrators to build intelligent material handling solutions for the market.”
RightPick 4 should be a welcomed addition to Rockwell’s growing robotics portfolio. Rockwell in late 2023 acquired Clearpath Robotics and subsidiary OTTO Motors for nearly $600 million. Clearpath develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for research and development purposes, while OTTO Motors builds AMRs for manufacturing and logistics applications.
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“RightHand Robotics has pioneered the each-picking fulfillment market with the most capable and productized solution,” said Matt Rendall, CEO of Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation. “We’re excited to work with RightHand Robotics on their commitment to making it easier for integrators to seamlessly integrate robotic picking into automation projects—reducing risk and time to market.”
Tenzer co-founded RightHand Robotics 10 years ago alongside Leif Jentoft and Lael Odhner. According to Crunchbase, RightHand Robotics has raised more than $120 million since it was founded. In February 2022, it closed a $66 million Series C round that included the SoftBank Vision Fund and THL. Apotea, PALTAC Corporation, Staples and others are among a growing number of RightPick 4 customers.
Tenzer will be speaking at the Robotics Summit & Expo (April 30-May 1 in Boston) about “Maximizing the Value of a Warehouse Through Lights Out Order Fulfillment.” Lights-out order fulfillment has been a significant goal in recent years, though some argue that the technologies needed for fully automated facilities are not yet mature. However, several companies are already operating “lights-out” facilities. Tenzer’s talk will delve into the perceived gap between expectations and the reality of warehouse operations. Produced by The Robot Report, the event will attract 5,000+ attendees from the robotics development ecosystem.
“Building this technology that can operate 24/7 takes a lot of time, focus, energy and customer support,” Tenzer said. We are excited to get to this point and expand in the market confidently. “This investment [from Rockwell Automation] reflects a shared commitment to driving automation forward. Integrators can confidently adopt RightPick, knowing it’s backed by years of development and now supported by a global automation leader. Together, we’re making robotic fulfillment more accessible and scalable for warehouses worldwide.”
seems like the AutoStore CarouselAI robot announcement earlier this week is going to be a problem.
Blake has wasted more Rockwell Automation money in another bad investment. Looked what happened to the Rockwell Automation investment with PTC.