Freespace Robotics announces strategic partnership, investment from Matthews Automation

Freespace Robotics, a developer of autonomous robotics for material handling and logistics, announced a strategic partnership and investment from the Automation Solutions business of Matthews International Corporation, a provider of warehouse automation software, controls, and order fulfillment systems.

This partnership combines Freespace Robotics’ high-density, dynamic storage cube with Matthews’ software, which the companies said will unlock transformative capabilities for warehouse and last-mile operations.

Small footprint, high turnover

Freespace Robotics’ system utilizes advanced robotics to deliver high-turnover, small-footprint, high-rise Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) technologies. The system incorporates traditionally external conveyor functions - such as sortation, sequencing, each-picking, order buffering and pre-staging - into an end-to-end operation.

Combined with Matthews’ software suite and dashboard - which unify product information and inbound and outbound material flows - the Freespace system offers versatility across diverse industries and specialized workflows. Together the companies said they are poised to strengthen core processes and improve KPIs for efficiency, scalability, throughput and cost-effectiveness.

“This partnership bridges the gap between cutting-edge hardware and proven software,” said Gary Cash, senior vice president and general manager of Matthews Automation. “Freespace Robotics brings next-generation automated hardware advancements that complement and extend our software’s capabilities to achieve unprecedented order management and task efficiency in warehouse operations. Over the last decade, customers have experimented with automating some or all their logistics and warehouse operations, to varying degrees. Today they are more discerning in their choices and investments. We see Freespace as delivering on the promise of greater versatility and performance with a smart systems approach and the higher ROI customers expect.”

The collaboration, according to the companies, will emphasize software interoperability and multi-system integration driven by customer need. Together, the companies aim to address the unique challenges of fragmented cross-docking operations and meet the specialized needs and workflows in sectors like 3PL, e-commerce, industrial, manufacturing, and food and beverage.

“Software innovation has outpaced hardware advancements in warehouse automation,” said Robert J. Szczerba, CEO of Freespace Robotics. “Our system closes that gap by delivering unparalleled performance, flexibility and scalability in a more sustainable solution. Matthews’ expertise and proven software enhance our system, enabling us to supercharge automation for the most demanding industries while offering a more attractive total cost of ownership.”

Benefits of Matthews’ software, Freespace’s AS/RS

The companies highlighted the following benefits of the combined offering”

• End-to-end task management: Integrates with industry-standard WMS platforms like Manhattan, Oracle and SAP to handle inventory management, order picking, and replenishment.

• Scalable, modular design: Adapts to diverse facility configurations, uneven floors and unconventional layouts with high-rise options up to 70 feet. The modular rack design enables vertical and horizontal expansion to meet future business requirements, unknown demands and changing product characteristics without demolition, retrofitting or new builds.

• Cost-effective maintenance: Robotics and components are positioned outside the cube for easy maintenance, while domestically sourced parts ensure reliability, availability and resilience.

• Versatile inventory handling: Supports standard and large trays, full cases and individual each-picks, accommodating loads up to 100 pounds.

• Sustainable operation: Powered by rail systems, eliminating costly and fire-prone battery dependencies while reducing environmental costs, fire risk and insurance outlays.

• Shipping buffers: Optimizes operations with sorting, buffering and sequencing in a single process inside the cube for timed delivery to docks

• Cross-docking operations: Reduces labor, equipment needs and operational footprints while improving safety on the floor.

• Last-mile delivery potential: A mobile version brings goods directly to drivers in dolly order, eliminating the need to enter the trucks. This offers increased performance for multi-stop delivery operations, minimizing shift time, labor and fuel costs and mid-route rescheduling.

Matthews Automation Solutions joins United States Steel Corporation and NFI Industries as corporate investors in Freespace Robotics.

Matthews Automation and Freespace Robotics at ProMat 2025

Freespace Robotics will also showcase its systems in the Startup Pavilion, at booth E11200SP, during ProMat 2025. The event is being held March 17-20 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

ProMat attendees can find Matthews Automation’s offerings in Warehouse Execution System software, picking systems and print-and-apply labeling automation at booth S4355. Matthews’ exhibit will feature these integrated technologies - including the Freespace technology - working together to provide scalable, end-to-end applications for dynamic supply chains.