Stevie-winner OTTO Motors (now OTTO by Rockwell Automation) was founded in a basement in 2009 by Matt Rendall and three university friends, driven by the belief that self-driving technology would change the world. Armed with only $200 and an unshakable passion for mobile robotics, Matt and his team co-founded one of North America's first autonomous mobile robot (AMR) companies. The goal: to transform material handling in manufacturing facilities worldwide.
In 2015, OTTO launched its first AMR, designed to improve productivity by automating material handling in industrial settings. This was followed by the release of the OTTO 100, a small, agile robot ideal for lightweight payloads in person-to-person workflows. With innovative fleet management software and a reputation for excellence, OTTO quickly attracted some of the world’s top brands as customers.
Matt Rendall: Visionary Leadership
As the CEO of OTTO, Matt has been the driving force behind the company’s remarkable growth and success. His leadership and foresight in the AMR sector have been key to OTTO's market dominance. Under his guidance, the company exceeded expectations year over year.
Matt's entrepreneurial journey began with a deep commitment to solving real-world challenges through innovation. His hands-on approach and tireless work ethic were instrumental in OTTO’s success, particularly in the development of cutting-edge solutions like OTTO Lifter. Launched in March 2022, the OTTO Lifter was the world’s smartest autonomous forklift, and it made OTTO the first AMR company to offer both flatbed and forked AMRs. Matt’s vision for OTTO Lifter was grounded in addressing material handling inefficiencies, which consume 25% of the workforce, 55% of factory space, and 87% of production time. The solution also helped tackle safety concerns: manual forklifts are involved in 90% of serious accidents over their 8-year lifespan, contributing to 85 deaths annually.
Under Matt's leadership, OTTO didn’t stop there. In 2023, he oversaw the launch of the OTTO 600 and OTTO 1200 AMRs, expanding the company's already comprehensive fleet. These new robots, combined with two key software updates, enabled customers to optimize their floor space by transporting heavier payloads through narrow environments, setting new standards for efficiency in the manufacturing sector.
Rockwell Acquisition and Future Outlook
On October 2, 2023, after 15 years of exceeding ambitious goals, OTTO was acquired by Rockwell Automation, a global leader in industrial automation. For Matt, this acquisition was the culmination of years of hard work and strategic growth. Now, as part of Rockwell, OTTO will further enhance its ability to revolutionize the manufacturing industry by offering a fully connected factory solution, blending OTTO’s advanced robotics with Rockwell’s 120 years of automation expertise.
The acquisition marked a milestone not only for OTTO but also for Matt, who had been working toward this vision since the company’s founding. This partnership enables OTTO to expand its reach and accelerate innovation, helping manufacturers achieve peak efficiency with autonomous production logistics.
Looking Ahead
With Matt at the helm and the support of Rockwell Automation, OTTO is poised to continue its leadership in autonomous material handling solutions. Matt's journey from a small basement to leading an industry-changing company is a testament to his vision, resilience, and relentless pursuit of progress. His leadership continues to drive OTTO’s mission to make manufacturing facilities safer, smarter, and more efficient for the future.
OTTO by Rockwell Automation won two Gold Stevie® Awards for Best Large Company of the Year in Manufacturing and Best Manufacturing Solution; and CEO Matt Rendall won an additional Gold Stevie Award for Executive of the Year - Manufacturing in The 2024 International Business Awards®.
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