Pittsburgh-based steel manufacturer U.S. Steel has announced a new investment in Freespace Robotics, a regional startup specialising in robotic storage and retrieval systems, as part of a strategic move to incorporate new technologies into operations.
The move was announced to signal U.S. Steel’s commitment to innovation and automation within its steel mills, which it hopes will streamline operations and boost efficiency.
The undisclosed investment in Freespace Robotics comes as part of U.S. Steel’s broader initiative to embrace new technologies.
The robotics company has its origins with Carnegie Foundry and its partnership with Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center.
On the investment, Christian Gianni, U.S. Steel’s senior vice president and chief technology officer, said: “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 US and beyond.”
Freespace Robotics specialises in developing robots for storing and retrieving goods efficiently, including the handling of multiple items simultaneously.
U.S. Steel’s financing will be used to scale up of Freespace’s operations and enable the launch of pilot programmes and the establishment of manufacturing facilities in the Pittsburgh area.
The partnership between U.S. Steel and Freespace Robotics underscores a shared vision for technological advancement and operational optimisation within the steel industry through use of warehouse automation.
