READY Robotics :: Software Solutions That Simplify Industrial Robot Deployment

READY Robotics is a Columbus, Ohio-based company founded in 2016 by Kelleher Guerin (CTO) and Benjamin Gibbs (CEO). It emerged from advanced robotics research at Johns Hopkins University. The company specializes in software solutions that simplify industrial robot deployment, particularly for high-mix, low-volume (HMLV) manufacturing environments where traditional automation has been challenging due to complex, brand-specific programming.

READY Robotics does not manufacture robots but enhances them through its flagship product, ForgeOS, a universal operating system designed to make robotic automation accessible to a broader range of manufacturers and operators. ForgeOS addresses the fragmentation in industrial robotics by providing a single, intuitive interface for programming and controlling robots from multiple major brands. It uses a no-code, flowchart-based programming approach that replaces proprietary languages, enabling faster setup, easier reprogramming for new tasks, and reduced reliance on specialized engineers.

Key features and robot-based products/solutions:

• ForgeOS Platform: The core “industrial OS” for robots and automation hardware. It supports hundreds of robot arms (reportedly over 250 models plus peripherals like grippers, cameras, force sensors, and machine tools). Key capabilities include unified command and control, live device monitoring, drag-and-drop/flowchart programming, and third-party app integration via an SDK. It runs on dedicated hardware like the READY pendant (touchscreen interface) and industrial PCs. Advanced features support real-time troubleshooting, minimizing downtime in production.
• Device Control: Allows operators to interact with all automation hardware live from a single interface for quick adjustments and restarts with minimal training.
• READY Academy: An online training platform offering courses on robotics fundamentals, deployment, management, and troubleshooting to upskill manufacturing teams.
• Services: Automation Readiness Assessments (on-site evaluations), full project management from planning to production support, and a network of vetted systems integrators for turnkey work cells. The company also explored palletizing systems and consulting services.

ForgeOS targets small-to-medium manufacturers struggling with labor shortages, emphasizing flexibility, human-robot collaboration, and rapid ROI. It integrates with major ecosystems (including investments/partnerships with NVIDIA, Rockwell Automation) and draws on patented technologies for intuitive human-machine interaction. The company positioned itself as making “robots better” rather than building them, focusing on software-defined automation to boost productivity, quality, and workforce augmentation.

Note: Reports from 2024 indicated the company faced challenges and paused operations after a funding round fell through. However, as of recent data, the website remains active, and there are indications of acquisition/merger activity or restructuring, with some continued references in 2025–2026. Potential users should verify current operational status directly.