Olivier Welker, chief executive of OMRON Robotics, with Pietro Gorlier, chief executive of Comau. Image: Comau
Two well-known robotics suppliers are joining forces. Comau SpA and OMRON Robotics announced yesterday that they will work together to speed up the use of industrial automation among manufacturers across the globe.
The partnership will target fast-growing industries such as electronics, semiconductors, medical production, and light industrial intralogistics. According to the companies, these sectors are seeing strong demand for automation that is flexible and straightforward to set up.
“This partnership connects two well-matched product lines with joint emphasis on customers’ success,” said Olivier Welker, chief executive of OMRON Robotics. “By combining our strengths in robotics, applications, advanced control, and smart automation technologies, we can help manufacturers react more quickly to shifting market needs. Together, this new partnership will let us offer production systems that are more flexible, connected, and sustainable, supporting our customers’ long-term growth.”
OMRON Robotics, within Omron’s Industrial Automation division, supplies systems for today’s manufacturing and material handling needs. Based in Pleasanton, California, the company provides a wide range of industrial, collaborative, and mobile robots.
OMRON noted that its advanced software and user-friendly programming tools allow for quicker deployment, simple integration, and scalable automation in various production settings. Last month, the company introduced new mast configuration choices for its OL-450S autonomous mobile robot (AMR).
Collaboration aimed at manufacturers’ needs
The companies stated they are addressing growing customer demand for automation that can scale and adapt, and that fits smoothly into both current production lines and next-generation manufacturing settings. Comau and OMRON said their complementary offerings, technical strengths, and business approaches provide a wider and more accessible range of solutions for customers around the world.
“This effort fits directly with our plan to broaden Comau’s range of solutions through high-value partnerships,” said Pietro Gorlier, chief executive of Comau. “OMRON is an ideal match, as they share our commitment to open innovation and creating value centered on the customer.”
“By pairing Comau’s robotics know-how with OMRON’s additional technologies and software skills, we can deliver solutions that are simpler to set up, highly adaptable, and ready for the future,” he continued. “This partnership also boosts Comau’s footprint in fast-growing industries and new regions, helping customers handle increasing industrial complexity with reliable, safe, and scalable automation.”
OMRON and Comau said they intend to blend robotics hardware, advanced control systems, and software-based automation. Their stated aim is to achieve new levels of operational efficiency, flexibility, and performance for a wide range of manufacturers worldwide. The partners are also exploring possible joint projects in the future.
Editor’s note: Roberto Mendes Cutrupi, North America business unit director for advanced automation systems and robotics at COMAU, will speak on “The Italian Way to Advanced Manufacturing” at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston on May 28. Sign up now to attend.
Comau’s partnerships with Automha and Aptiv
Comau provides automation solutions for vehicle production, with a particular strength in e-mobility, along with advanced robotics and digital tools for sectors like shipbuilding, food and beverage, logistics, pharmaceuticals, and renewable energy. Headquartered in Turin, Italy, the company also offers project management, consulting, and a globally recognized training academy.
At MODEX last month, Comau presented its robots working with software from Automha SpA, a Bergamo, Italy-based firm it acquired last year that focuses on worldwide intralogistics and warehouse automation. Comau indicated that it is helping companies of all sizes make the most of automation, robotics, and digital technologies—enabling them to improve efficiency, flexibility, flexibility, and competitiveness in rapidly expanding markets.
Automha designs intelligent, high-performing automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) to enhance efficiency and reliability across multiple industries. Together, Comau and Automha have an international presence with eight innovation centers and 14 production sites in 12 countries, employing over 4,000 people.
Recently, automotive technology supplier Aptiv PLC announced it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Comau. The Dublin, Ireland-based company will integrate its Wind River edge platforms and PULSE sensor and high-performance interconnect solutions with Comau’s logistics automation offerings.
“In working with Comau, we aim to bring together Aptiv’s advanced perception, computing, and software technologies with Comau’s extensive robotics and large-scale industrial implementation expertise,” explained Jay Bellissimo, senior vice president and president for intelligent systems, software, and services at Aptiv.
He said Aptiv and Comau plan “to assist customers in building smarter, safer automation without the high costs and complexity that have traditionally slowed adoption.”
