Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

Logistics

There’s an app for that: Automating the moving of parts from warehouses to field service technicians

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By Travis Smith, founder and CTO, WithoutWire Inventory Sciences

A typical process to move parts from a warehouse to a field technician generates a 77 percent reduction in barcode scans using automated optimization

Field technicians are paid to do their job, not to study software manuals. Many field techs are under 40 and have spent their lives using Android and iOS apps. These solutions are easy to install; with a minimal learning curve, automating, tracking, and replenishing truck inventory in real-time is now possible.  [Read more…] about There’s an app for that: Automating the moving of parts from warehouses to field service technicians

Deliver: Cost-effectively navigating the last mile is crucial to e-commerce growth

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The second and final day of the Deliver event has seen sponsors and attendees ask each other many questions about the future of e-commerce, or rather “e-logistics”.

And some of the most crucial questions concern the critical last mile of the journey a product makes before it reaches the customer’s door.

The answers appear to be many and varied, and involve new hardware and software, but there does seem to be a general feeling of consensus, even if the details of the technologies underpinning that consensus is yet to be fully articulated, let alone realised. [Read more…] about Deliver: Cost-effectively navigating the last mile is crucial to e-commerce growth

‘E-logistics’ event Deliver opens its doors in Portugal

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The Portuguese capital city of Lisbon is playing host to one of the most important events in the e-commerce logistics and supply chain industry, Deliver.

Some describe Deliver as the “Davos of e-commerce” because it attracts all the most important e-commerce companies as well as the companies which provide the technology they rely on.

And that’s why we’re here.

E-commerce companies are increasingly dependent on technologies such as conveyors, automated storage and retrieval systems, robots, and even artificial intelligence to gain a competitive edge over their rivals.

And in such a competitive market with relatively low margins, any slim advantage is fought for as though the survival of the business depends on it. [Read more…] about ‘E-logistics’ event Deliver opens its doors in Portugal

Locus Robotics and Manhattan team up for retail and 3PL customers

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Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment warehouses, has announced a strategic integration partnership with Manhattan Associates, a supply chain and omnichannel solutions provider.

The partnership makes Manhattan a licensed reseller of Locus’s autonomous, multi-robot solution for warehouse fulfillment and will facilitate the development of integration tools to improve productivity and efficiency for shared retail and third-party logistics (3PL) customers.

“The sustained massive growth in e-commerce has left the supply chain industry at a turning point. Retailers and 3PLs are seeking autonomous mobile robots to solve their productivity, efficiency and labour challenges,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics.

[Read more…] about Locus Robotics and Manhattan team up for retail and 3PL customers

Manhattan Associates creates new program to advance warehouse robotics and automation

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Manhattan Associates has launched the Manhattan Automation Network, a program designed to speed the development and implementation of modern distribution center automation and robotics in partnership with leading warehouse automation solution providers.

The program is designed to deliver joint solution design, integration touchpoints and implementation approaches between the industry’s leading warehouse management solution and innovative robotics providers.

The Manhattan Automation Network is launching with five inaugural members:

  • Kindred AI;
  • Locus Robotics;
  • Matthews Automation Solutions;
  • Right Hand Robotics; and
  • VCO Systems.

[Read more…] about Manhattan Associates creates new program to advance warehouse robotics and automation

DB Schenker opens first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway

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Global logistics service provider DB Schenker is opening its first low-carbon city distribution centre in Oslo, the new Oslo City Hub.

The centrally-located new terminal will reduce CO2 emissions of city goods distribution by 80%, using electric cars and e-bikes.

Oslo City Hub is part of Electric City, the Oslo district’s focus on activities associated with its status as European Green Capital 2019.

[Read more…] about DB Schenker opens first low-carbon distribution terminal in Norway

KB Components develops its logistics with automation specialist Swisslog

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KB Components, one of Scandinavia’s leading manufacturers of plastic components, has chosen Swisslog as its partner for automation and logistics development.

The two companies started collaborating back in 1986 with the installation of automated pallet cranes and now, more than 30 years later, they have chosen Swisslog as their partner again for the replacement of this market leading technology.

Kent Brickling, logistics manager at KB Components, says: “Over the years, we have had a great cooperation with Swisslog for the service and system support of our pallet cranes at our facility in Örkelljunga, Sweden. [Read more…] about KB Components develops its logistics with automation specialist Swisslog

Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment warehouses, and RightHand Robotics (RHR), a provider of integrated robotic piece-picking solutions, announced a partnership to deliver cross-platform robotics solutions for warehouse fulfilment operators.

Locus and RHR will give a preview of their multi-stage fulfilment solution at Manhattan Associates’ Momentum Conference 2019 from May 20 -23rd in Phoenix, Arizona, USA.

Their approach combines Locus’s autonomous multi-robot model for piece handling with RHR’s autonomous work cell to provide greater automation, addressing multiple fulfilment processes, from picking to packing, especially in high-volume environments.

[Read more…] about Locus Robotics in technology partnership with RightHand Robotics

Geek Plus Robotics to showcase warehouse automation system at Deliver Portugal

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Geek Plus Robotics, a supplier of warehouse automation technologies, is to showcase its “Picking System” at the Deliver Portugal event, at booth C7.

Deliver has been described as “the Davos of the e-commerce world”, although it takes place at various locations, such as London and, in this instance, Lisbon, Portugal, from 5-6 June 2019.

It’s an event that attracts the world’s leading e-commerce companies, as well as many technology providers. [Read more…] about Geek Plus Robotics to showcase warehouse automation system at Deliver Portugal

Einride and DB Schenker launch driverless electric truck

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Autonomous electric vehicle developer Einride and logistics giant DB Schenker have launched a driverless electric truck in Sweden.

The vehicle – called “T-Pod and intended for logistics operations – is believed to be the first cab-less electric truck to go into operation on a public road.

The world premiere and inaugural run took place at DB Schenker’s facility in Jönköping, Sweden. The T-pod will transport goods between a warehouse and terminal at the facility, as part of a commercial flow.

[Read more…] about Einride and DB Schenker launch driverless electric truck