Company: OTTO Motors, Kitchener, Ontario
Company Description: At OTTO Motors, we believe material handling is one of the most dangerous and unproductive parts of manufacturing and warehouse operations. Our mission is to create safer, more productive and more fulfilling workplaces with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). With over four million production hours, OTTO delivers the productivity in mission-critical environments for the world's largest brands.
Nomination Category: Company / Organization Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Company of the Year - Manufacturing - Large
 Nomination Title: OTTO by Rockwell Automation
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes in length about the achievements of the nominated organization since 1 January 2022, OR written answers to the questions for this category? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the nominated video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video.
N/A
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this first question: Briefly describe the nominated organization: its history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 130 words used.
OTTO by Rockwell Automation was founded in 2009 by four university friends building robots in a basement with a unique—and ultimately correct—belief at the time that self-driving technology would change the world. The company was started with $200, a passion for mobile robotics, and an unwillingness to accept “no” as an answer. In 2015, the company’s industrial division—dedicated to autonomous material handling—launched the world’s most productive autonomous mobile robot (AMR) to improve productivity in manufacturing facilities worldwide. One year later, OTTO launched a small and agile AMR, designed to move lightweight payloads through person-to-person workflows. [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION]
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this second question: Outline the organization's achievements since the beginning of 2022 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 243 words used.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] OTTO was acquired by Fortune 500 company Rockwell Automation. With 120 years of experience, Rockwell is a global leader in industrial automation and digital transformation, employing approximately 28,000 problem solvers dedicated to their customers in more than 100 countries. This was a major milestone for the company which will now be able to supercharge its vision and help shape the future of the manufacturing industry.
This achievement would not have been possible without the company’s other initiatives from the past two years. In March 2022, OTTO introduced the world’s smartest autonomous forklift to the manufacturing industry—making OTTO the first AMR company to offer both flatbed and forked AMRs.. Built to address material handling challenges of today and tomorrow, OTTO Lifter was recognized as the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Manufacturing Solution category. The launch of OTTO Lifter also significantly contributed to OTTO being named to Fast Company’s 2023 list of Most Innovative Companies as a top 10 global robotics company. In 2023, OTTO launched two new AMRs, OTTO 600 and OTTO 1200, unlocking the most comprehensive autonomous material handling fleet on the market. Alongside two software updates, the new AMRs help customers optimize their floor space by transporting heavier payloads in the narrowest environments. In April 2023, OTTO formally expanded into the European market, an initiative which will grow exponentially as part of Rockwell.
- If you are providing written answers for your submission, you must provide an answer to this third question: Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 207 words used.
Material handling is one of the most dangerous and unproductive parts of modern industrial environments, accounting for 25% of the workforce, 55% of the room and 87% of the time of production in a factory. Additionally, manual material handling is dangerous, potentially repelling workers from jobs in the supply chain. In fact, there is a 90% chance of a serious accident occurring during the 8-year average lifespan of a forklift. By applying robots to material handling applications, OTTO’s mission is to create safer, more productive and more fulfilling workplaces for manufacturers around the world with the most comprehensive autonomous material handling solution.
[REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] The new AMRs are [REDACTED FOR PUBLICATION] winning awards including “Material Handling Solution of the Year” and “Readers’ Choice Award for Mobile Robotic Product of the Year.” Now, as part of Rockwell, OTTO is uniquely positioned to offer an end-to-end autonomous production logistics solution to its customers, where manufacturers can optimize their facilities and processes through improved end-to-end production line configurations to reach peak efficiency. Together, Rockwell and OTTO will bring the connected factory to life in mission-critical operations worldwide.
- You have the option to answer this final question: Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 107 words used.
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