RightHand Robotics, a prominent entity specializing in robotic piece-picking for logistics, has garnered a strategic investment from Rockwell Automation, a leading global industrial automation provider. This partnership aims to drive the scalability and adoption of RightHand’s RightPick 4 technology, which utilizes artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotic grippers to autonomously select items of various shapes and sizes in diverse workflows. Financial specifics of the deal remain undisclosed.
Strategic Investment to Drive Scalability
RightHand Robotics’ Operational Optimization
This investment is a significant move for RightHand Robotics, which recently optimized its operations in 2024 and appointed co-founder Yaro Tenzer as CEO to expand their reach in Europe and North America. During a recent visit to RightHand’s new office in Charlestown, Mass., The Robot Report observed the real-time dashboard monitoring active picks in deployments across North America and Eastern Europe. RightHand’s systems pick millions of items monthly, boasting intervention rates as low as 0.01%. This impressive operational efficiency underscores the potential benefits of integrating RightPick technology with Rockwell Automation’s extensive ecosystem.
During this visit, it became evident that the integration of RightPick with Rockwell’s extensive ecosystem would not only reduce customer risk but also ensure long-term system viability. As a result, this strategic move is expected to accelerate RightHand’s profitability through expanded market reach. The partnership leverages Rockwell’s widespread network and connections with major industrial and logistics companies, potentially expediting RightPick’s market adoption. Furthermore, the integration is poised to enhance both performance and scalability, aligning with Rockwell’s automation platforms.
Enhancing Market Adoption and Performance
Evan Kaiser, Rockwell’s industry sales director for warehousing and logistics, noted that RightHand Robotics would add valuable tools to empower system integrators to create intelligent material handling solutions. This development aligns with Rockwell’s broader strategy to expand its robotics portfolio, as evidenced by its late 2023 acquisition of Clearpath Robotics and OTTO Motors, known for specializing in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) used in manufacturing and logistics. Adding RightPick’s capabilities to Rockwell’s offerings promises to create more robust and scalable automation solutions for the logistics sector.
Matt Rendall, CEO of Clearpath Robotics by Rockwell Automation, underscored RightHand’s pioneering role in the each-picking fulfillment market. He expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with RightHand to simplify robotic picking integration into automation projects, thereby mitigating risk and reducing time to market. His statement highlights the transformative potential of this collaboration, which could redefine fulfillment processes and provide new efficiencies for logistics operators.
Background and Future Outlook
RightHand Robotics’ Journey and Funding
Founded a decade ago by Tenzer, Leif Jentoft, and Lael Odhner, RightHand Robotics has raised over $120 million, including a $66 million Series C round in 2022 backed by SoftBank Vision Fund and THL, among others. Their customer base includes notable entities such as Apotea, PALTAC Corporation, and Staples, reflecting a growing adoption of the RightPick 4 solution. This substantial funding underscores the confidence investors place in RightHand’s technology and its potential to revolutionize logistics operations. RightHand’s innovative approach to AI-driven robotic picking has positioned the company as a key player in the industry.
Tenzer is slated to speak at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, addressing the topic “Maximizing the Value of a Warehouse Through Lights Out Order Fulfillment.” This presentation aims to explore the gap between the expectations and the reality of fully automated warehouse operations, a significant industry goal. His insights are anticipated to shed light on the challenges and opportunities in the pursuit of fully autonomous logistics solutions, providing valuable guidance for industry stakeholders.
Advancing Robotic Piece-Picking
RightHand Robotics, a renowned player in robotic piece-picking solutions for the logistics industry, has secured a strategic investment from Rockwell Automation, a top global provider of industrial automation technologies. This collaboration is set to foster the growth and adoption of RightHand Robotics’ advanced RightPick 4 technology. RightPick 4 harnesses the power of artificial intelligence, computer vision, and sophisticated robotic grippers to automatically pick and handle items of various shapes and sizes across a spectrum of workflow processes. Although the financial terms of this investment have not been disclosed, the partnership signifies a mutual commitment to transforming the logistics and automation landscape. By integrating their technologies, the companies aim to enhance efficiency and precision in fulfillment operations, ultimately driving innovation in the logistics sector. This strategic alliance positions both companies at the forefront of creating cutting-edge, automated solutions to meet the ever-evolving demands of the industry.