Steel Mills

USS invests in Pittsburgh robotics firm

March 11, 2024

U.S. Steel has announced an investment in Freespace Robotics, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of robotic storage and retrieval systems.

“Investing in Freespace Robotics is another way we’re promoting innovation while supporting the regional economy and its workforce,” Christian Gianni, U. S. Steel SVP and chief technology officer, said in a statement on Monday.

Further details of the deal were not disclosed.

The Pittsburgh-based steelmaker said Freespace makes an autonomous storage system that uses robots to store and retrieve goods in “ways that are new to market.”

U.S. Steel said Freespace robots can manipulate multiple goods at once, various sizes of goods, and can store and retrieve goods in a single action. The company noted that automated storage and retrieval systems are used for warehousing, retail, and logistics.

Ethan Bernard

Ethan Bernard is managing editor for Steel Market Update. He previously worked for American Metal Market as a copy editor in the New York office for two years, starting in 2008. Later, he copy edited AMM’s monthly magazine on a freelance basis from 2015 until 2017. With experience in financial copywriting and textbook publishing, he holds a BA in Comparative Literature from UC Berkeley, and an MFA. in Creative Writing from New York University. He can be reached at ethan@steelmarketupdate.com or 724-759-7871.