by Gary Mintchell | Dec 12, 2025 | Robots
I recently wrote about a company that designed its own “stack” of its robot plus an autonomous mobile robot. Stack must be a new trend. I have written about Flexxbotics a few time over the past three years. The company features several several current and former executives from Aras plus other PLM suppliers as investors and/or board members. It features cutting edge software technology.
This news is a partnership with many interesting possibilities for advanced machine tending.
Flexxbotics and IPR Robotics Partner to Deliver StackTrax for Advanced Robotic Machine Tending with Dual-Rail 7th Axis Mobility and Autonomous Process Control
Flexxbotics, delivering digital solutions for robot-driven manufacturing at scale, and IPR Robotics, a global leader in robot peripherals, today announced a partnership to deliver IPR’s innovative StackTrax dual-rail robotic transfer unit (RTU) as an option with the Flexxbotics solution. Now, the robot’s effective reach is further extended across multi-machine rows with Flexxbotics orchestrating advanced robotic machine tending autonomy for lights out operation.
With Flexxbotics robot-to-machine compatibility for over 1000 makes & models of factory equipment and StackTrax 7th axis multidirectional robotic tending motion, companies can quickly automate a wide range of machines for processes with multiple operations. The partnership’s design collaboration also resulted in a new level of standardization for greater maintainability and operational safety.
- Extended Reach, Smaller Footprint – StackTrax dual-rail motion lets one robot reach multiple machines along a line without the large footprint of full gantries.
- Machine-to-Robot Interfacing at Scale – Flexxbotics multi-machine compatibility accelerate commissioning and standardize integration across automation cells and sites.
- Automated Changeover – Coordinated program loading for machines, robot, and StackTrax motion enables automation of high-mix part/job changeover.
- Autonomous Process Control – Flexxbotics communicates with the robot, machines, and StackTrax providing control logic and macro updates for longer unattended runs.
- Digital Thread Compliance – Full traceability of robot & rail actions, part production, and process adjustments supports audits and regulated environments.
Suggested application guide:
Using StackTrax with Flexxbotics is ideal for new factories and plant modernization initiatives where gantry systems and H-gantries are impractical due to space, structural or ceiling constraints. Additionally, advanced robotic machine tending of multiple machines in a line for high-mix production environments that involve changeovers across families of parts and where robot flexibility, reach, and travel distance matter.
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by Gary Mintchell | Dec 10, 2025 | Business, Robots
Not long after news from another automation supplier about an investment in manufacturing in the US, here comes news from Teradyne Robotics about an investment in suburban Detroit. I’m sure it’s beneficial for Teradyne both for saving shipping costs (we won’t mention the T word) and also for improving customer service. The products to be manufactured here were designed and built in Denmark.
Perhaps this indicates some resurgence in American manufacturing? I hope so.
Teradyne Robotics announced it will open a new U.S. Operations Hub in Wixom, Metro Detroit, Michigan in 2026. This strategic expansion reflects Teradyne Robotics’ commitment to operating close to its customers and meeting the growing manufacturing demand in the U.S. and the Americas.
The new facility will manufacture Universal Robots (UR) industrial collaborative robots (cobots), with future potential to include MiR autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). It will also serve as a regional customer training center, service hub, and visitor experience center.
The new U.S. Operations Hub will support the re-industrialization of America with advanced robotics. The company seeks to support the evolving needs of American industry, including productivity, reshoring, upskilling, and increased automation to address workforce challenges and enhance global competitiveness.
This facility expands Teradyne Robotics’ presence in the Detroit area, creating over 200 jobs over the coming years and an all-new robotics technology hub supporting advanced manufacturing in Michigan, the Midwest, and throughout America.
A recent survey shows that 73% of North American manufacturers cite productivity improvement as their top reason for investing in automation. Of the companies already using cobots, the vast majority (87%) are already seeing double-digit productivity improvements. Eighty-three per cent of all respondents reported positive employee sentiment towards robotics adoption.
I’ll be writing about a report from a survey indicating that executives anticipate spending on automation next year in order to improve operations. This gives Teradyne a jump on the market.
by Gary Mintchell | Dec 8, 2025 | Robots
I just listened to two tech guys on a podcast talking about Google as a full stack AI company with its Gemini plus its own TPU chips—no reliance on Nvidia’s GPUs. Contrast with OpenAI, which only owns the software. It depends upon Nvidia for the chips and others to build the massive data centers.
Then, I receive a press release relative to industrial robotics where they tout—Bringing a new meaning to the term full-stack company, Flexiv’s own AMR platform makes the company’s entire hardware and software stack fully in-house.
Flexiv designs and builds general-purpose robotics. The company has designed an autonomous mobile vehicle product that mashes up with its robotics. Therefore, “full-stack”. Interesting. And probably useful.
Flexiv, a global leader in general-purpose robotics, is proud to announce the launch of the Flexiv Mobile Robot (FMR) 300, the company’s first self-developed autonomous mobile robot platform. Engineered to expand the operating space of Flexiv’s adaptive robots and eliminate the limitations of stationary workspaces, the FMR 300 represents a major milestone in mobile manipulation and next generation factory automation.
A few of the necessary features:
Featuring a compact footprint of 31 by 24 inches and a height of 34 inches, along with a payload capacity of 600 pounds, the FMR 300 allows customers to deploy advanced adaptive robotic solutions in space constrained environments.
Powered by a 72 Ah lithium-iron battery, the FMR 300 can operate for up to eight hours under typical workloads. If the platform detects that its battery needs recharging, it can autonomously navigate to its charging dock, enabling true “lights-out” operational capability.
When used in conjunction with a Rizon-series adaptive robot, positional errors caused by platform movement or workpiece misalignment can be compensated for as a Rizon robot can use its force sensitivity to “feel out” the exact location of the workpiece. This eliminates the need for computer vision and controlled lighting, enabling reliable operation in dynamic, unstructured environments where conventional AMR–cobot solutions typically fail.
The FMR 300 features high precision laser SLAM navigation, two-wheel differential motion control, and built in collision detection to ensure safe human robot interaction. If necessary, the platform can also incorporate computer vision for enhanced collision avoidance in crowded or highly dynamic workplaces.
One-stop Shop:
From programming software to robot arms, grippers, and now AMRs, Flexiv’s entire portfolio is developed in house. This not only makes creating complex automation solutions easier but also reduces commissioning time and troubleshooting.
by Gary Mintchell | Nov 26, 2025 | Automation, News, Robots, Technology
The only news emanating from Automation Fair last week was the announcement of a plan to build a 1 million sq ft manufacturing and warehousing facility in southeast Wisconsin. Executives also reinforced earlier news regarding its regrouping of the cybersecurity SecureOT Solution Suite and the new ControlLogix 5590.
Executives appeared before the assembled media and analyst folks attending to highlight areas of emphasis that Rockwell Automation wished to promote. These talks were enlightening about the current state of Rockwell Automation’s thinking on what is important in this market and where Rockwell fits at this time.
Bob Buttermore, senior vice president, chief supply chain officer, has often appeared as the point person for using Rockwell products and services to improve internal and external supply chains within the company. Part of the new plant announcement included investing $2B in Rockwell operations to test and prove the next generation of industrial technology.
Our existing facilities in Singapore, Twinsburg and Milwaukee serve as live innovation labs, showing how new tools and processes perform in real-world manufacturing. These plants give customers a front-row seat to breakthrough solutions and demonstrate how Rockwell is shaping the future of smart, efficient and resilient manufacturing.
The old Silicon Valley phrase was “eating your own dog food.” The today Rockwell Automation version is Rok on Rok. Buttermore told us the team in Singapore took initiative to work with the local government and internal Rockwell resources to bring reality to “factory of the future” improvements. Learnings from that initiative are being applied within the Twinsburg, Ohio facility. They will be used to build the new Wisconsin facility when the time comes.
Special kudos to Buttermore for going beyond the pablum “we use AI” phrase to pinpointing which aspects of AI are used where. So refreshing to get something closer to specifics.
Speaking of AI, Rockwell has an executive in charge. Jordan Reynolds, Vice President, Artificial Intelligence & Autonomy, spoke about companies going beyond embedding AI in technology by incorporating it in workflows, and further using it to empower the people using the technology.
His talking point—As AI becomes more deeply embedded in operations, manufacturers must ensure their teams are not only equipped with the right skills but also confident in using AI to make faster, smarter decisions. In fact, 47% of manufacturers responded that AI comfortability is a “very important skill” in their workforce according to the 2025 State of Smart Manufacturing Report, which marks a 10% increase from 2024.
Sustainability remains an important mission. A panel brought together leaders from Circulor, Bolder Industries, and Utility Global to discuss how their innovations are accelerating the transition to a low-carbon future. The conversation highlighted the role of circular manufacturing, supply chain transparency, and clean hydrogen in building reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure. Panelists discussed overcoming regulatory, operational, and technological challenges through strategic partnerships and advanced automation.
My long history with Rockwell Automation includes nothing about robotics. Given a couple of recent acquisitions, the company has a new vice president of robotics, Ryan Gariepy. He was CTO of OTTO, the recently acquired AMR company. He’s excited about bringing together the array of robotics technology. This includes software Unified Robot Control and software-defined automation. Mobile with Clearpath development platform and the OTTO Autonomous Mobile Robotics. An integration ecosystems with Emulate 3D and OTTO Fleet Manager.
Running the anchor leg of the relay was Dan DeYoung, Vice President & General Manager, Design & Control. We saw him later showing off the ControlLogix 5590. This session focused on the future of software-defined automation. Rockwell sees the future of industrial automation as one where control systems can rapidly adapt and grow as new disciplines emerge. “With software defined automation, we are rethinking how robotics, vision, AI and ML come together with the core strengths of our multidiscipline control. Our focus is on creating an environment where these technologies can be integrated with speed and simplicity, shaping a future where automation is more flexible, scalable and ready for what’s next.”
It was at this point that a question from the audience asked about adoption of IEC 61131 programming and especially about the PLCOpen nirvana of write once/run anywhere. That is, write control code in your IDE of choice in a 61131 language and then target control platforms from any vendor. There was no comment. (Something I expected.) As Ed Sheeran put it, I was Thinking Out Loud on this longer thought piece about that topic.
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by Gary Mintchell | Nov 11, 2025 | Automation, Robots, Standards
I’m betting that you know where you are in terms of physical location. They once asked on TV ads, “Do you know where your kids are?” Now the questions are, “Do you know where your machines are?” and “Do your machines know where they are?”
OPC Foundation continues its quest to link to everything possible. Its list of “companion specs” is long. This new concerns a partnership regarding spatial understanding—by networked industrial systems of machines, robots, and mobile systems understanding one another by physical location. Sounds useful for things moving around the factory.
This partnership includes AIM-D, omlox, and the OPC Foundation creating a new OPC UA specification.
Industrial automation is facing a paradigm shift: machines, robots, and mobile systems are learning to “understand” space. With the new OPC UA Companion Specification for Identification and Locating, AIM-D e.V., PROFIBUS & PROFINET International (PI) with the open locating standard omlox, and the OPC Foundation are establishing the foundation for a common language of “spatial intelligence.”
Physical AI – that is, AI that actively perceives physical space and acts contextually – requires a unified understanding of positions, movements, and identities in space. This is precisely where the new Companion Specification comes in: it harmonizes the spatial data model for absolute positions within the OPC Foundation and allows for a unified global positioning of assets in the physical and digital world.
This enables a seamless integration of spatial data into industrial IT and OT systems – a prerequisite for autonomous mobile robots, intelligent assistance systems, and self-organizing production environments.
The new specification is now freely available on the OPC Foundation’s website and is considered a milestone for the next evolutionary stage of industrial intelligence.
The collaboration between AIM-D, omlox / PI, and the OPC Foundation brings together the disciplines of identification, locating, and communication in a common spatial context. This creates a decisive foundation to equip robots, vehicles, and machines with a shared spatial understanding – the key to Physical AI, resilient supply chains, and autonomous industrial ecosystems.
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by Gary Mintchell | Nov 5, 2025 | Robots
Rockwell Automation’s evolution during the past five or more years has been instructive of the direction of American industry. Rockwell has been acquiring some interesting companies, one of which was Clearpath Robotics. This release bows to the current climate of building in America plus the growth of Autonomous Mobile Robots in manufacturing as well as in warehouse.
Rockwell Automation announced the first autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) have officially rolled off the production line at its global headquarters in Milwaukee.
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.
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.
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