Pittsburgh-based Freespace Robotics has raised a strategic investment from United States Steel. Freespace Robotics builds robotic storage and retrieval systems for warehouses worldwide. This funding will help Freespace hire and retain local talent and recruit others into the region.
Freespace Robotics builds an autonomous storage system that utilizes robots to store and retrieve goods in new ways. For example, robots can handle multiple goods at once, more sizes of goods, and can store and retrieve goods in a single action. The company will use U.S. Steel’s funding to execute pilot programs, set up its regional manufacturing presence, and scale up its team.
Freespace Robotics is a portfolio company of robotics and AI venture studio Carnegie Foundry. It partners with the world leader in autonomous robotics to build its technologically advanced solutions—the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) at Carnegie Mellon University. NREC combines expertise from decades of applied R&D work in autonomy with highly strategic, corporate, and public sector partners to bring multi-use technology solutions to market. U.S Steel is also an anchor investor of Carnegie Foundry.
In connection with the funding, U. S. Steel’s Director of Strategy & Corporate Development, Jim Cook, will join the Freespace Robotics Board of Directors.
KEY QUOTES:
“Investing in Freespace Robotics is another way we’re promoting innovation while supporting the regional economy and its workforce. Given Freespace’s ambitious growth plan rooted right here in our hometown, this investment also underscores how we’re doubling down on the region because we believe in its potential to be a force for innovation in the U.S. and beyond.”
“The Freespace Robotics team are clear leaders and innovators. These highly advanced technologies will be essential for a robust, resilient, and more efficient supply chain.”
- Christian Gianni, U. S. Steel Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer
“This region has a long history of industrial innovation through advances in hardware and large-scale equipment. U. S. Steel knows first-hand the importance of creating an innovation pipeline for themselves and the additional value of doing so in its hometown with hometown talent.”
- Freespace Robotics CEO Dr. Robert J. Szczerba
