Robot operations for mobile fleets have regularly been hampered by proprietary barriers and difficult scaling issues. Now, InOrbit is moving to address those hurdles by deciding to release OpenRobOps, its fleet management solution, to the open-source robotics community. Alongside this initiative, the company announced the appointment of robotics industry leader Steve Cousins to its board of directors. Both steps signal a strategy focused on making robot management not only more adaptable but also more accessible as organizations expand their automated systems. Developers and researchers have long sought ways to manage complex robot fleets efficiently, and this move could change standard practices within professional robotics environments.
When InOrbit previously promoted its proprietary Ground Control platform, the company emphasized ease of management and compatibility for industry clients, but access was mainly limited by commercial boundaries. The introduction of OpenRobOps as open-source broadens that reach, particularly for developers needing customizable infrastructure. Whereas earlier efforts required inventing fleet management tools from scratch or surrendering control by purchasing off-the-shelf solutions, this new release offers a middle ground: freely accessible core functionality with the option to scale up through InOrbit’s commercial offerings.
Why Is OpenRobOps Being Open-Sourced?
InOrbit identified a significant demand among robotics developers for a fleet management layer that integrates seamlessly with frameworks such as ROS and Open RMF. Company CEO Florian Pestoni noted that many in the sector repeatedly developed similar solutions without achieving the necessary scalability. By open-sourcing OpenRobOps, InOrbit intends to let developers manage their own data and infrastructure while still benefiting from professional support when desired.
“By open-sourcing the core operations layer, we empower developers to own their data and infrastructure,”
Pestoni explains. This approach addresses the recurring challenge of balancing control, standardization, and scalability in robot operations.
What Expertise Does Steve Cousins Bring?
Steve Cousins, known for his work at Willow Garage and with the Robot Operating System (ROS), has played a pivotal role in shaping the open-source robotics ecosystem. His appointment to the InOrbit board aims to bridge the operational experience of large robot fleets with the flexibility demanded by developers and innovators.
“InOrbit is doing for fleet operations what ROS did for robot development,”
Cousins commented, suggesting that standardized, accessible solutions often pave the way for sector-wide innovation. Cousins’ background, combined with the company’s open-source direction, is intended to guide community-driven improvements and ensure ongoing relevance.
How Is the Robotics Community Responding?
Key figures in robotics, from academia to commercial entities, have expressed optimism about the impact of OpenRobOps on the sector. Partnerships spanning hardware manufacturers, research organizations, and software developers are already underway. Feedback from users points to the value of a shared core for robot operations that includes native support for major frameworks like ROS. InOrbit is facilitating engagement through early adopter programs, with plans to open general access later in 2026. Company leaders recognize the importance of vibrant community involvement for ongoing project success and are actively encouraging broader participation as part of the roll-out process.
InOrbit’s decision to release OpenRobOps under a full open-source license marks a meaningful shift from previous business models in robotic fleet management software. The open-source foundation lets users implement and manage their robotic fleets while allowing an upgrade path to commercial InOrbit Ground Control when advanced features are needed. This dual approach addresses longstanding developer concerns about flexibility and lock-in, offering transparency and broader access. For organizations planning large-scale deployments, especially those already using platforms like ROS, OpenRobOps adds a new option that balances community-driven principles with professional support.
Organizations looking at deploying or scaling mobile robot fleets encounter challenges around management, data control, and integration. OpenRobOps aims to lower the entry barriers typically faced when choosing between proprietary solutions and custom-built frameworks. The combination of open-source accessibility and expert guidance from established industry leaders may encourage wider adoption and promote more standardized robot operations practices. For users in research, logistics, or manufacturing, monitoring the development and uptake of OpenRobOps could provide actionable insights and inform procurement or development strategies. Staying attuned to its integration capabilities, community support, and upgrade pathways will be crucial for maximizing robotics investments as the field matures.
