Pioneering Robot “OTTO” Wins the 2025 IERA Award
The 2025 “Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Robotics & Automation” (IERA) goes to OTTO by Rockwell Automation for its pioneering achievement in developing the company’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). OTTO was the first company to build an AMR solution capable of transporting heavy loads through factories and operating in robot fleets larger than 100 units, setting a technological milestone in professional service robotics.
OTTO mobile robots automate repetitive and hazardous material handling tasks in manufacturing and production environments. They transport parts, pallets, and supplies across factory floors without worker intervention. They consist of the vehicle hardware, and a software suite for autonomous operation, factory integration, fleet analysis and remote analytics. The software was developed to manage some of the largest fleets of autonomous mobile robots in the world. The navigation capabilities optimize the robot’s speed while maintaining high safety standards. This ensures efficient and predictable movement around workers on the factory floor.
“The winning robot, OTTO, marks a world-changing milestone in the development of autonomous mobile robots,” said Susanne Bieller, IERA Awards Chair and IFR General Secretary. The jury recognized the work of OTTO by Rockwell Automation, stating that they had created a mature and well-established solution for advancing the development of AMRs for material handling.
“We are deeply honored to receive the distinguished IERA award and thank the jury for recognizing our work”, said Ryan Gariepy, Vice President of Robotics at Rockwell Automation, and previous CTO/co-founder at OTTO before its acquisition by Rockwell Automation. “The prize encourages us to continue pushing the boundaries in the development of valuable, innovative technologies in robotics.”
Transportation & logistics
Transportation and logistics applications stand out in the global field of professional service robotics: In 2024, annual sales rose by 14 percent, according to the latest World Robotics report by IFR. The market share of the application class transportation and logistics hit 52% of all installations.
The finalists
The other three finalists are: Spanish automation firm Aldakin for its robotic machining head that significantly reduces hazardous dust emissions during the processing of composite materials. Fourier Rehab from Shanghai presented the “ExoMotus M4”, an advanced lower-limb rehabilitation robot designed to restore mobility in patients with neurological and musculoskeletal impairments. Youibot from Shenzhen, China, presented its humanoid “MAIC-X” a dual-arm humanoid robot for industrial inspection.
About IERA Award
Established in 2005, the IERA Award is presented annually by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Industrial Activities Board and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). It highlights and honours the achievements of inventors with value creating ideas and entrepreneurs who propel those ideas into world-class products.
In 2026 the IERA Award session will take place at the ICRA in Vienna from 1 to 5 June 2026.
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