Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Sam Francis

Lyreco automates French logistics hub with Exotec Skypod robots in €25 million upgrade

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Lyreco, a global company providing workplace products and services, has announced the completion of a modernisation programme at its logistics centre in Villaines-la-Juhel (Mayenne, northwestern France).

The Villaines-la-Juhel site is one of the group’s most strategic logistics hubs and is responsible for 60 percent of the 50,000 parcels shipped daily by Lyreco in France.

As part of the modernisation of the site, which began in 2021, Lyreco has built a new 3,000 m² facility and integrated an advanced robotic solution developed by Exotec, a French pioneer in warehouse automation. [Read more…] about Lyreco automates French logistics hub with Exotec Skypod robots in €25 million upgrade

PickNik releases MoveIt Pro 9 to improve AI-driven robotics in variable environments

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PickNik has released version 9 of its robotics development software MoveIt Pro, introducing new capabilities aimed at improving how robots operate in complex, real-world environments such as cleaning, sanitation and vehicle washing.

The update focuses on what the company describes as “scan-and-plan” workflows – a technique that allows robots to perceive their surroundings in real time and generate motion paths dynamically, rather than relying on fixed, pre-programmed instructions.

Industrial robots have traditionally performed best in structured environments, such as manufacturing lines, where tasks are repetitive and predictable. However, applications like restroom cleaning or food plant sanitation present a different challenge, requiring robots to adapt to changing layouts, irregular surfaces and variable geometries. [Read more…] about PickNik releases MoveIt Pro 9 to improve AI-driven robotics in variable environments

Exol launches US robotic fulfillment network with ‘fulfillment-as-a-service’ model

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Exol (formerly GreenBox Logistics) has launched its first US “physical AI” fulfillment facilities, introducing what the company describes as a new logistics model designed to expand access to large-scale warehouse automation.

The company says it plans to build a nationwide network of six automated sites totaling around six million square feet, aimed at supporting retail, wholesale and consumer goods companies. The first facility in Atlanta is now operational, while additional locations are planned in California, Texas, New Jersey and Illinois over the next year.

The concept behind Exol’s offering – described as “robotic fulfillment-as-a-service” – is to provide companies with access to automated warehouse infrastructure without requiring them to invest in their own systems. [Read more…] about Exol launches US robotic fulfillment network with ‘fulfillment-as-a-service’ model

DoorDash and Wing expand drone delivery partnership to Metro Atlanta

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DoorDash, a local commerce platform specializing in home food delivery, and Wing, a residential drone delivery company, have announced the expansion of their partnership to metro Atlanta.

The launch introduces a new way for metro Atlanta consumers to order from their favorite local merchants, expanding delivery options across the platform.

Eligible DoorDash consumers near Tanger Outlets Locust Grove can order from a selection of local and national restaurants and choose to have their items delivered by drone in as little as 20 minutes. [Read more…] about DoorDash and Wing expand drone delivery partnership to Metro Atlanta

Plus One Robotics hits 2 billion picks as warehouse automation scales under labor pressure

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Plus One Robotics, a specialist in AI-powered robotic vision for material handling, says it has “surpassed 2 billion successful picks across its global fleet of parcel induction and depalletization robots”.

The milestone coincides with the company’s recent 10th anniversary, marking a decade of advancing intelligent automation for the world’s leading logistics and e-commerce operators.

Doubling its pick count in just two years, Plus One continues to demonstrate that AI-powered robotics can deliver measurable, repeatable results at scale. What began as a vision to combine artificial intelligence with practical warehouse applications has evolved into a proven platform driving speed, accuracy and resilience across modern supply chains. [Read more…] about Plus One Robotics hits 2 billion picks as warehouse automation scales under labor pressure

Most manufacturers adopting automation, but few see real results, report finds

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A new report from Eclipse Automation suggests that while factory automation is now widespread across North America, only a small proportion of manufacturers are achieving meaningful outcomes from their investments.

The study, based on a survey of more than 600 executives across the automotive, medical device, and consumer-industrial sectors, found that although up to 70 percent of US manufacturers and 60 percent of Canadian firms report using some form of automation, levels of maturity and performance vary significantly.

The findings point to a growing divide between companies that are successfully translating automation into measurable returns and those that are struggling to move beyond early-stage deployments. [Read more…] about Most manufacturers adopting automation, but few see real results, report finds

Qualcomm joins MassRobotics to support startup ecosystem and robotics development

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MassRobotics has announced that Qualcomm Technologies has joined its organization as a sponsor, expanding the network of companies supporting robotics startups within its ecosystem.

The addition of Qualcomm Technologies is expected to provide new technical resources and collaboration opportunities for startups working within the MassRobotics community, which focuses on accelerating the development and commercialization of robotics technologies.

The move comes as Qualcomm Technologies continues to expand its presence in robotics and edge AI. The company recently introduced the Qualcomm Dragonwing Robotics Hub, a developer-focused platform within the Arduino Project Hub that provides sample applications and a shared environment for building and scaling robotics systems. [Read more…] about Qualcomm joins MassRobotics to support startup ecosystem and robotics development

From hype to reality: ASI CEO Mel Torrie on why autonomous vehicles are outpacing humanoid robots

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Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) is not a company that regularly dominates headlines, but it has spent more than two decades quietly building and deploying autonomous vehicle systems across industries where automation is already delivering measurable results.

Founded in 2000 and headquartered in Utah, ASI has focused on real-world autonomy – retrofitting and orchestrating fleets of heavy equipment in sectors such as agriculture, construction, mining and logistics.

Its Mobius command-and-control platform (image below) enables operators to manage multiple autonomous vehicles remotely, positioning the company as a long-standing player in what is now being reframed as “physical AI”. [Read more…] about From hype to reality: ASI CEO Mel Torrie on why autonomous vehicles are outpacing humanoid robots

APL Logistics opens Amsterdam distribution and fulfilment centre

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APL Logistics, a global supply chain logistics provider and member of the Kintetsu World Express Group, has opened a dedicated distribution and fulfilment warehouse in the Port of Amsterdam.

The facility reflects the continued growth of APL Logistics’ long-standing European business and its commitment to investing in infrastructure where customer demand requires it.

APL Logistics’ newly opened distribution and fulfilment centre at the Port of Amsterdam, strengthening the company’s logistics footprint in Europe. [Read more…] about APL Logistics opens Amsterdam distribution and fulfilment centre

ABB partners with Jacobi Robotics to roll out AI-powered palletizing for integrator network

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Jacobi Robotics, a Physical AI company for warehouse automation, has announced a collaboration with ABB Robotics, which will integrate Jacobi’s OmniPalletizer AI software within its portfolio of robotics hardware and software.

The collaboration will give ABB Robotics’ network of system integrators a productized, repeatable way to deploy AI-powered mixed-case palletizing without upstream sequencing infrastructure, facility redesign, or custom engineering.

Mixed-case palletizing – building stable, store-ready pallets from live, unsequenced case flows – is one of the most labor-intensive and costly manual workflows in distribution. [Read more…] about ABB partners with Jacobi Robotics to roll out AI-powered palletizing for integrator network