Clearpath Robotics
Clearpath Robotics Inc. is a Canadian manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots headquartered in Kitchener, Ontario, focused on platforms for research, development, and industrial deployment.[1] Founded in 2009 by University of Waterloo mechatronics engineering graduates Matthew Rendall, Ryan Gariepy, Patrick Martinson, and Bryan Webb, the company originated in a basement to address frustrations in academic robotics labs by providing reliable, off-the-shelf hardware and software for rapid prototyping.[2][3] Clearpath's core products include rugged outdoor platforms like the Jackal unmanned ground vehicle, Husky research robot, and Warthog all-terrain base, all integrated with the Robot Operating System (ROS) for sensor fusion, navigation, and autonomy development; the firm also operates OTTO Motors for industrial autonomous mobile robots handling material transport in warehouses and factories.[1][4] In September 2023, Rockwell Automation acquired Clearpath to enhance its automation portfolio with end-to-end autonomous solutions.[5][6] The company achieved profitability within 15 months of inception, secured multiple venture funding rounds including a $14 million Series A in 2015, and earned accolades such as the Robotics Business Review's RBR50 Innovation Award for the Husky A300 in 2025.[7][8] Co-founder and former CTO Ryan Gariepy publicly endorsed ethical limits on military robotics by co-signing a 2017 open letter to the United Nations urging a preemptive ban on lethal autonomous weapons systems.[9]History
Founding and Early Years
Clearpath Robotics, Inc. was founded in 2009 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, by Ryan Gariepy, Matthew Rendall, Patrick Martinson, and Bryan Webb, all graduates of the University of Waterloo's mechatronics engineering program.[10][11] The four co-founders, who had built robots together during their university years, started the company in a basement laboratory, driven by firsthand experiences of hardware unreliability and assembly inefficiencies that hindered robotics research in academic settings.[12] Their initial objective was to commercialize durable, modular unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) that reduced setup time and supported rapid prototyping, targeting researchers frustrated with custom fabrication demands.[13] From inception, Clearpath emphasized open-source compatibility and rugged designs for both indoor and outdoor applications, quickly establishing itself as a provider of research-grade platforms integrated with systems like the Robot Operating System (ROS).[1] Early products included differential-drive mobile bases adaptable for autonomy testing, with the company prioritizing persistence in hardware reliability to enable consistent experimentation.[14] By 2012, Clearpath demonstrated growing credibility by sponsoring teams in the NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge, offering platforms for extraterrestrial simulation tasks amid a $1.5 million prize purse.[15] A key early milestone occurred in 2014 when Willow Garage selected Clearpath to assume support and service responsibilities for the PR2 humanoid robot, transferring manufacturing and maintenance duties to leverage Clearpath's expertise in reliable robotics hardware.[16] This partnership expanded Clearpath's reach into advanced manipulation research, serving over 500 institutions worldwide by providing customizable UGVs like the Husky series for terrain navigation and sensor integration.[17] Through these developments, the company solidified its niche in accelerating R&D cycles, bootstrapping via sales to labs before pursuing external funding.[18]Growth and Funding Rounds
Clearpath Robotics secured its initial seed funding in 2010, marking the beginning of its venture-backed growth from a university spin-off founded in 2009.[19] Subsequent early-stage rounds followed, enabling the development of research-oriented robotic platforms and initial forays into industrial applications. By 2015, the company had raised approximately $14 million CAD (about $11.2 million USD) in a Series A round led by RRE Ventures, with participation from iNovia Capital and GE Ventures; these funds supported the expansion of its portfolio for ethical industrial robotics, focusing on automation without displacing human jobs.[7][20] In October 2016, Clearpath completed a $30 million USD investment round led by iNovia Capital, which included strategic input from Caterpillar Inc. as a new investor; this capital accelerated the commercialization of indoor self-driving vehicles for logistics and research, broadening deployment beyond academic labs to enterprise settings.[21] The funding facilitated product iterations like the Jackal unmanned ground vehicle and Warthog platforms, driving customer adoption among over 500 global brands by the early 2020s.[10] The company's late-stage funding intensified in 2020 with a Series C round totaling $40 million CAD (approximately $29 million USD), aimed at scaling its OTTO Motors industrial autonomous mobile robot division for material handling in warehouses and factories.[22] This was extended later that year with an additional $5 million from McRock Capital, bringing the Series C to $34 million USD overall, followed by a $5 million convertible note from BDC Capital in January 2021, for a combined $43.4 million raised in the prior 12 months.[23][24] These investments supported international expansion, including deployments in manufacturing sectors, and positioned Clearpath for its eventual acquisition by Rockwell Automation in 2023. Overall, Clearpath raised approximately $85.8 million across 11 rounds, including multiple seed, early-stage, and late-stage investments, plus grants, fueling growth from a basement startup to a provider of autonomous solutions for research and industry.[19]| Round | Date | Amount (USD equiv.) | Key Investors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Series A | March 2015 | ~$11.2M | RRE Ventures, iNovia Capital, GE Ventures[7] |
| Growth Round | October 2016 | $30M | iNovia Capital, Caterpillar Inc.[21] |
| Series C (initial) | June 2020 | ~$29M | Kensington Capital, BMO Capital[22] |
| Series C Extension | September 2020 | $34M total | McRock Capital et al.[23] |
| Convertible Note | January 2021 | $5M | BDC Capital[24] |
Acquisition by Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. signed a definitive agreement on September 5, 2023, to acquire Clearpath Robotics Inc., an Ontario-based developer of autonomous robotics solutions for research and industrial use.[5] The transaction encompassed Clearpath's core research platforms division as well as its OTTO Motors subsidiary, which specializes in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling in manufacturing and logistics environments.[5] [25] The deal was valued at approximately US$600 million, subject to customary regulatory approvals and adjustments, with closure anticipated in the first quarter of Rockwell's fiscal year 2024.[26] [25] Rockwell stated that the acquisition would accelerate its strategy to deliver integrated automation solutions, combining Clearpath's robotics expertise with Rockwell's industrial control systems to enable scalable deployment of AMRs in enterprise settings.[5] The acquisition was completed on October 2, 2023, integrating Clearpath as a wholly owned subsidiary while preserving its operational headquarters in the Waterloo Region of Ontario, Canada.[27] [28] Rockwell projected that the addition would contribute approximately one percentage point to its fiscal year 2024 organic revenue growth, driven by expanded offerings in connected enterprise technologies.[27] Clearpath's leadership, including founder Ryan Gariepy, continued in key roles to support ongoing development of robotics platforms.[29]Corporate Structure and Divisions
Clearpath Robotics Division
![Clearpath Jackal UGV][float-right] The Clearpath Robotics Division operates as the research and development arm of Clearpath Robotics under Rockwell Automation, focusing on autonomous mobile platforms for academic, prototyping, and non-industrial applications. Acquired by Rockwell Automation on October 2, 2023, the division provides hardware, software, and services to enable self-driving vehicle technologies in controlled environments such as laboratories and universities.[27][1] This division distinguishes itself from the industrial-oriented OTTO Motors Division by prioritizing flexible, open-source compatible robots that support rapid iteration in robotics research. Its platforms, including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) for outdoor navigation and indoor differential drive bases, integrate with ROS (Robot Operating System) to facilitate experimentation in perception, localization, and autonomy algorithms.[1][5] The division serves over 500 global customers, including research institutions, by offering customizable solutions that reduce development time from months to weeks.[12] Post-acquisition, the Clearpath Robotics Division continues to innovate in core technologies like sensor fusion and multi-robot coordination, while leveraging Rockwell's industrial ecosystem for potential hybrid applications, though it maintains a primary emphasis on R&D rather than production-scale deployment.[27] This structure allows Rockwell to address diverse market needs, with Clearpath handling exploratory autonomy and OTTO focusing on warehouse and manufacturing logistics.[30]OTTO Motors Division
OTTO Motors serves as the industrial division of Clearpath Robotics, dedicated to developing and deploying autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling in manufacturing facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers.[31] Launched in 2015, the division focuses on rugged, production-proven AMRs capable of navigating complex environments while towing carts or transporting heavy payloads up to 6,000 pounds, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and worker safety by reducing manual material movement.[27] These systems leverage onboard sensors, AI-driven navigation, and fleet management software to operate without dedicated infrastructure like tracks or wires, accumulating over five million hours of real-world deployment experience across mission-critical operations.[27] Key products include the OTTO 100, a compact AMR for lighter loads and tight spaces, and the OTTO 1500, engineered for high-throughput tasks involving payloads exceeding 3,000 pounds in dynamic industrial settings.[31] The division's technology emphasizes seamless integration with existing workflows, supporting applications such as line-side delivery and kitting, with reported improvements in throughput by up to 50% in customer implementations. In June 2020, OTTO Motors secured $29 million in Series C funding to expand its global sales and engineering capabilities, targeting growth in sectors like automotive and e-commerce fulfillment.[32] Following Rockwell Automation's acquisition of Clearpath Robotics in October 2023 for approximately $600 million, OTTO Motors operates as "OTTO by Rockwell Automation," integrating its AMRs into broader industrial automation portfolios to enable end-to-end autonomous production logistics.[27][25] This move positions OTTO's solutions alongside Rockwell's control systems and software, facilitating scalable deployments for customers seeking to automate repetitive tasks amid labor shortages and rising demands for flexible manufacturing.[33] The division maintains its headquarters in Kitchener, Ontario, with a focus on continuous software updates and hardware durability tested for 24/7 operations in harsh environments.[31]Products and Technologies
Research Platforms
Clearpath Robotics provides a series of modular unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and mobile bases designed for robotics research and development, emphasizing integration with the Robot Operating System (ROS) to support rapid prototyping in autonomy, navigation, and perception.[1] These platforms cater to both indoor and outdoor environments, offering customizable payloads, sensors, and computing options to accommodate academic and industrial experimentation.[34] The Jackal UGV serves as a compact, weatherproof entry-level platform for field robotics, featuring an onboard computer, GPS, IMU, and ROS integration for immediate deployment in rugged outdoor settings.[35] It supports speeds up to 2.6 m/s and payloads up to 20 kg, making it suitable for portable research in terrain mapping and sensor testing.[35] Husky UGV platforms, such as the Husky A300, offer medium-sized, rugged bases with high payload capacities exceeding 100 kg and customizable power systems for extended operations in demanding environments.[17] Equipped with ROS 2 support and open-source code, they facilitate development in applications like outdoor navigation and manipulation.[36] For extreme terrains, the Warthog UGV provides all-terrain amphibious capabilities with low ground pressure tracks, enabling operation on soft soils, mud, steep grades, and brief water traversal periods.[37] Its large frame supports heavy payloads and custom instrumentation, targeting rapid prototyping in harsh conditions such as arctic or disaster-response simulations.[34] Indoor-focused platforms include the Ridgeback AGV, which uses omnidirectional wheels for precise positioning and heavy payload handling up to 150 kg, often paired with manipulators for mobile manipulation research.[38] The Dingo offers lightweight, differential or omnidirectional drive options for education and indoor navigation studies, with expandable computing for mapping and SLAM algorithms.[39] TurtleBot 4, a low-cost ROS-enabled robot, integrates a Kobuki base with 3D sensors and netbook computing, serving as an accessible entry point for educators and novice researchers in basic autonomy and AI development.[40] These platforms collectively enable scalable experimentation, with Clearpath providing accessories like LiDAR and cameras for enhanced sensor fusion.[41]Industrial Solutions
Clearpath Robotics' industrial solutions focus on autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) through its OTTO Motors division, designed for material handling tasks in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics to enhance efficiency, safety, and throughput while reducing operational costs.[31] These AMRs operate in dynamic environments alongside human workers, utilizing onboard sensors for collision avoidance and path optimization.[42] Following Rockwell Automation's acquisition of Clearpath on October 2, 2023, OTTO's offerings integrate with industrial control systems to enable scalable, end-to-end automation in production facilities.[27] OTTO AMRs feature rugged, all-metal construction with industrial-grade components, high-performance LiDAR and 3D cameras for navigation, and fleet management software that supports opportunistic charging for near-continuous operation.[42] The systems handle diverse payloads and tasks, such as towing carts or transporting goods, without requiring facility modifications like fixed paths or wires.[42] The product lineup includes models tailored to varying load requirements:| Model | Payload Capacity | Max Speed | Primary Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| OTTO 100 | 150 kg | 2 m/s | Light material handling in tight spaces |
| OTTO 600 | 600 kg | N/A | Medium-duty transport in factories |
| OTTO 1200 | 1200 kg | N/A | Heavy-duty logistics and manufacturing |
| OTTO 1500 | 1900 kg | N/A | High-payload hauling in warehouses |
| OTTO Lifter | 1200 kg | N/A | Lifting and pallet transfer tasks |