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

“Given Freespace’s ambitious growth plan rooted right here in our hometown, this investment also underscores how we’re doubling down on the region because we believe in its potential to be a force for innovation in the U.S. and beyond.”

U. S. Steel did not disclose the size of the investment, but Jim Cook, U. S. Steel’s director of strategy and corporate development, will join the Freespace Robotics board of directors.

U. S. Steel said Freespace Robotics manufactures an autonomous storage system that uses robots to store and retrieve goods in ways that are new to market. For example, the company said, its robots can handle multiple goods at once, more sizes of goods, and can store and retrieve goods in a single action.