Robotics and Drives

What Robotics and Drives does

Robotics and Drives (RDS) is an Ireland-headquartered industrial robotics systems integrator founded in 2005 in Mullingar by Ken McNevin, Stephen Nolan, and Sharon McNevin. The company designs, builds, and supports automated production-line solutions for manufacturing enterprises, combining bespoke custom engineering with a portfolio of standardized robotic cells (cobotic palletisers, assembly cells, 3D bin picking systems, label/palletising cells, educational cells). Its technology stack integrates third-party industrial arms (ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Universal Robots, TechMan) with proprietary 3D vision, VR design simulation, 24/7 remote monitoring, and exclusive Agilox Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle distribution for the UK and Ireland. RDS holds the World's 1st ABB Certified 'Advanced Value Partner' designation.

The commercial model is a hybrid of one-time project revenue from bespoke engagements (220+ projects completed, 25-30 new annually), unit-priced standardized product sales (e.g., Cobotic Palletiser from €120,000; Educational Robot Cell from €13,000 ex-robot), recurring managed-service revenue from 24/7 SLAs covering 1,500+ robots in 260 locations, and professional-services revenue from a Training Academy and Cobotics Skillnet programmes. GTM is enterprise field sales with co-creation, supported by an extensive partner referral network and Enterprise Ireland-backed international expansion. The customer base spans CPG, food & beverage (PepsiCo, Nestle, Mondelez, Kraft Heinz, Kerry), pharma & medical devices (Johnson & Johnson/DePuy, Abbott, Boston Scientific, Medtronic/Covidien, AbbVie, Becton Dickinson), automotive and industrial suppliers (Michelin, Valeo, Thermo King), and AWS.

Since October 7, 2024, RDS operates as a subsidiary of Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR), a US-headquartered platform backed by Ares Management Private Equity that has aggregated Modular Automation (2023) and RDS (2024) into a 500+ employee, 300,000+ sq ft transatlantic automation group. RDS retains its leadership and Mullingar-based operations while gaining access to AIR's broader software, systems design, and cross-Atlantic customer base.

Name

Robotics and Drives

Legal name

Robotics and Drives

Website

https://roboticsanddrives.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Robotics and Drives is an Ireland-based industrial robotics systems integrator founded in 2005 that designs bespoke and standardized robotic automation solutions for enterprise manufacturers across CPG, food & beverage, pharmaceutical, medical device, and automotive sectors, now operating as a subsidiary of AIR.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Mullingar

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Robotics Solutions: Custom-designed and built robotics solutions tailored to specific customer manufacturing needs. Solutions are engineered from concept through commissioning. Typically one-time project-based revenue with long sales cycles.
2. Standardized Robotic Offerings: Pre-configured, easy-to-install robotic cells and systems including cobotic palletizers, standard palletizing cells, educational robot cells, and 3D bin picking solutions. Products delivered as complete units.
3. Service, Support & Training: Ongoing service level agreements providing 24/7 support, remote monitoring, on-site maintenance, and training services. Monitors 1,500+ robots globally. Revenue from SLA contracts.
4. Training Academy: Comprehensive robotics training programs ranging from 1-day to 5-day courses covering introduction to robotics, cobotics troubleshooting, VR, and advanced programming

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Robotics and Drives designs, builds, and integrates bespoke and standardized industrial robotic systems for manufacturers across Europe. The company delivers robotic cells for palletising, assembly, labelling, 3D bin picking, and cobotic applications, complemented by a 40,000 sq ft Solutions and Training Centre, a Training Academy, and 24/7 remote monitoring covering 1,500+ robots globally. RDS is the world's first ABB Certified Advanced Value Partner and the exclusive distributor of Agilox autonomous intelligent vehicles in the UK and Ireland.

Product overview

Robotics and Drives (RDS) is an Ireland-based industrial robotics solutions provider offering a dual approach combining bespoke custom robotics solutions with standardized off-the-shelf robotic products. The core offerings include Bespoke Robotics Solutions (custom-tailored intelligent systems with 220+ installations completed) and Standard Robotics Solutions (pre-configured cells for palletising, assembly, labelling, 3D picking, and education). Key standardized products include the ABB YUMI collaborative robot, Agilox Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles (AI-powered navigation), 3D Bin Picking systems (computer vision-enabled), Cobotic Palletiser, Cobotic Assembly Cell, Standard Palletising Cell, Label Application and Palletising Cell, and Educational Robot Cell. Supporting services include a 40,000 sq ft Solutions and Training Centre in Mullingar, 24/7 remote monitoring for 1,500+ robots, Training Academy programs, and Virtual Reality design services. The company serves diverse sectors including CPG, food and beverage, medical devices, personal care, pharmaceutical, and industrial cloud solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bespoke Robotics Solutions Custom-tailored intelligent robotics solutions designed and built to meet specific customer manufacturing requirements, including pick and place, palletising, assembly, inspection, and welding. Delivered through a co-creation process from concept through commissioning.
• Standard Robotics Solutions Pre-configured, easy-to-install robotic cells and systems designed for rapid mobilization with minimal downtime, covering palletising, assembly, labelling, 3D picking, and education use cases.
• Agilox IGV (Autonomous Intelligent Vehicle) Autonomous guided vehicle using AI and true autonomous navigation for automated transportation of pallets, with self-mapping, integrated fleet management, and omnidirectional maneuverability. Distributed exclusively by RDS in the UK and Ireland.
• 3D Bin Picking System Compact intelligent system using 3D vision technology for surface detection, tracking, and random bin picking, supporting multiple gripper types (vacuum, clamp, grappler).
• Cobotic Palletiser Collaborative robot palletising cell for dynamic palletising of cases and boxes (0.5kg–14kg payloads at up to 6 cases per minute), programmable to stack pallets in any pattern, with optional dual pallet zone and fence-free operation.
• Cobotic Assembly Cell Collaborative robot assembly cell using ABB IRB 14000 YUMI robot capable of forming and constructing assemblies from parts fed via trays or conveyors, with a small footprint and touch screen HMI interface.
• Standard Palletising Cell Standardized robot palletising cell featuring a perpendicular drive system for 90-degree box direction changes and accumulation processes for multiple box picking.
• Label Application and Palletising Cell Combined labelling and palletising automation cell with a dual pallet zone concept that minimizes downtime by allowing unloading while the robot continues palletising in the other zone.
• Educational Robot Cell Mobile, compact robot cell designed for robot training and education in colleges, universities, and schools, fitting through a standard 900mm door and configurable with ABB or TechMan collaborative robots.
• Solutions and Training Centre 40,000 square feet dedicated facility in Mullingar combining a robotics solutions creation centre with an integrated robotics training centre, including 10 training cells with both standard industrial robots and cobots, supporting R&D and customer demonstrations.
• Remote Monitoring and Support 24/7 globally scaled remote monitoring and support service maintaining over 1,500 robots in operation, with engineer access, remote diagnosis, regular maintenance, and SLAs including under-15-minute connect time to an engineer.
• Training Academy Comprehensive training programs covering IR, AR, AI, Cobotics, and Robotics on standardized products or bespoke solutions, with offerings including a 1-day Introduction to Robotics, 2-day Entry Level Robotics, 3-day Advanced Robotics programming, and 3-day Cobot Training.
• Virtual Reality Design Service Virtual Reality design process using industrial design standards with 2D and 3D modeling systems, allowing customers to see and experience robotic solutions at full scale before construction begins.

Quantifiable outcome

• Changeover times reduced from 2 hours to just 5 minutes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers26 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability8 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 October 2024AIR acquired RDS in October 2024 to expand its software and systems design capabilities. RDS operates under AIR with continued leadership. Vivian Farrell appointed President of AIR, Ireland. RDS's capabilities in robotic software development and systems design meaningfully expand AIR's offering. AIR now has over 500 employees and 300,000+ sq ft of automation facilities across US, Ireland, and UK.
• Skillnet Ireland (Cobotics Skillnet)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Cobotics Skillnet was formed to bridge the technical skills gap between cobotics and human capabilities in cobotic manufacturing systems. Skillnet Ireland awarded funding to establish the network in 2018. RDS is a founder member providing training facilities and expertise. The network offers workforce development solutions to enterprises in robotics and cobotics supporting international competitiveness of Irish businesses.
• ABB RoboticscoreTechnology or IntegrationFlagship technology partner and key supplier. RDS is the 1st ABB Certified 'Advanced Value Partner' in the world and has been ranked #1 or #2 out of 1,200 ABB UK AVPs since 2010. Provides industrial robots, controllers, and robotstudio software integration. Partnership enables exclusive access to ABB technology and certified integration capabilities.
• AgiloxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive provider of Agilox Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles (AIVs) in UK and Ireland market. Agilox vehicles use true autonomous navigation with self-mapping, integrated fleet management, and omnidirectional maneuverability. RDS introduces this technology to the UK and Ireland market, representing a significant product line expansion.
• Enterprise IrelandcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGovernment trade and export agency supporting Irish companies with international expansion. Provided support for RDS expansion and facility opening. Enterprise Ireland recognizes RDS as a company connecting successfully on a global scale and supplying to some of the world's largest MNCs.
• AgiloxcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExclusive distributor of Agilox Autonomous Intelligent Vehicles for UK and Ireland market.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Automated Industrial Robotics Inc. (AIR): AIR is RDS's US-based parent company and a direct peer in industrial automation integration. Following the October 2024 acquisition, RDS and AIR share robotics integration capabilities and serve similar manufacturing end markets across US, Ireland, and the UK.
• Active8 Robots: Active8 Robots is a UK-based cobot systems integrator focused on collaborative robotics deployments for manufacturing. Directly comparable to RDS in cobot integration services for SME and enterprise customers in similar UK and European verticals.

Broad incumbents

• ABB Robotics: ABB is both RDS's flagship technology partner and a broad incumbent supplying industrial robots, controllers, and software globally. ABB competes indirectly via its own systems integration services and direct OEM relationships with RDS's enterprise customers.
• KUKA: KUKA is one of RDS's robot OEM partners and a broad incumbent offering industrial robots, cobots, and integration services globally. Comparable through its robot product line used in similar manufacturing automation applications.
• FANUC: FANUC is a robot OEM partner of RDS and a leading global supplier of industrial robots and factory automation. Comparable as a supplier of robots that RDS integrates and as a competing automation solutions provider for similar enterprise customers.
• Yaskawa: Yaskawa is a global supplier of industrial robots, motion control, and drives with a Motoman robotics line used in similar welding, palletising, and assembly applications. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping automation capabilities.
• Rockwell Automation: Rockwell Automation is a RDS control-systems partner and a global broad incumbent offering factory automation, control, and information solutions. Comparable as an integrator of large-scale manufacturing automation with overlapping enterprise customer base.
• Symbotic: Symbotic is a US-based automation provider for warehousing and supply chain using AI-enabled robotics and AIVs. Comparable as a broader incumbent in autonomous intelligent vehicle deployments that overlaps with RDS's Agilox AIV business in logistics and warehousing.

Emerging players

• Universal Robots: Universal Robots is RDS's cobot partner and the global market leader in collaborative robots. Highly comparable through its cobot product line used in the same manufacturing pick-and-place, palletising, and assembly applications.

Regional players

• RARUK Automation: RARUK Automation is a UK-based distributor and integrator of robotics and automation products, including AGVs and cobots. Directly comparable as a UK/Ireland regional peer offering integrated robotic cells to similar SME and enterprise manufacturers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RoboticsDrives

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Robotics and Drives