Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

associates

Badger Technologies launches retail automation pilot program

by Leave a Comment

Badger Technologies, a product division of Jabil and leader in retail automation, has launched a pilot program with Busy Beaver Building Centers, operator of 24 full-line home improvement centers in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.

As part of the pilot, which is taking place at Busy Beaver’s store in Irwin, Pennsylvania, Badger Technologies multipurpose autonomous robots will monitor on-shelf product availability and verify prices for more than 30,000 stock keeping units (SKUs) while freeing highly knowledgeable sales associates to spend more time with customers.

Adam Gunnett, director of IT for Busy Beaver Building Centers, says: “Technology is a key imperative in our mission to be the favorite neighborhood home improvement center in the communities we serve. [Read more…] about Badger Technologies launches retail automation pilot program

Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

by Leave a Comment

Ambi Robotics, a developer of AI for highly-dexterous robotics, has closed a $26 million Series A funding round. The investment is led by new investor, Tiger Global Management, and builds on participation from existing investors Bow Capital, Vertex Ventures US and The House Fund.

The new funding comes at a time of significant customer growth and expansions just five months after the company emerged from stealth.

The funding round enables Ambi Robotics to scale the team and operations to support rapid deployments of AI-powered robotic systems throughout US supply chain operations. [Read more…] about Ambi Robotics raises $26 million in Series A funding led by Tiger Global

6 River Systems strengthens capabilities of its warehouse robots

by Leave a Comment

6 River Systems, now part of leading global commerce company Shopify, says it has strengthened the capabilities of its warehouse robots.

6RS also released recommendations to its customers to further protect employees from pathogens during the picking process in warehouses and fulfillment centers, as well as “dark stores” – retail centers or distribution centers solely used for online order fulfillment.

The company’s recommendations span operational modifications, improvements to the hardware and software for its collaborative robot, Chuck, and highlight the availability of new products for its fulfillment solution. [Read more…] about 6 River Systems strengthens capabilities of its warehouse robots

6 River Systems introduces ‘major enhancements’ to its mobile fulfillment robots

by Leave a Comment

6 River Systems (6RS), part of global commerce platform Shopify, has unveiled what it describes as “major enhancements” to its “wall-to-wall” fulfillment solution, including upgrades to its collaborative mobile robot, Chuck.

6RS says it provides warehouse operators the opportunity to “transform the entire fulfillment workflow from putaway, to picking, sorting and packing”.

Improvements to the solution’s order allocation algorithm and optimizations to batch, zone and other picking methodologies continue to reduce associate walking in the warehouse, says the company. [Read more…] about 6 River Systems introduces ‘major enhancements’ to its mobile fulfillment robots

Walmart integrates Alphabot into its warehouse operations

by Leave a Comment

Retail giant Walmart has integrated a warehouse automation system, Alphabot, into its operations after undertaking tests for almost a year. (See video below.)

Alphabot, technically an automated storage and retrieval system, was especially developed for Walmart by startup company Alert Innovation.

Walmart says the Alphabot system will “revolutionize the online grocery pickup and delivery process”. [Read more…] about Walmart integrates Alphabot into its warehouse operations

Zebra Technologies unveils new robot for retail operations

by Leave a Comment

Zebra Technologies has introduced SmartSight, a robot for mass merchants, grocers, and supermarkets and hypermarkets.

The company is showcasing the new machine at NRF 2020, the retail technology show currently being held in Chicago, USA.

SmartSight leverages the computer vision, machine learning, workflow automation and robotic capabilities of Zebra’s EMA50 enterprise mobile automation system to accurately identify out-of-stock conditions, pricing inconsistencies and planogram issues on the shelf. [Read more…] about Zebra Technologies unveils new robot for retail operations

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

by

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

by

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

Xometry raises $50 million for on-demand parts marketplace

by

Xometry, the largest on-demand manufacturing marketplace, has raised $50m in equity funding, led by Greenspring Associates.

The new funding will back efforts to build a platform connecting suppliers to businesses that need prototypes and small runs of parts.

Dell Technologies Capital will also participate in the round, along with all previous venture and strategic investors including BMW i Ventures, Foundry Group, GE Ventures, Highland Capital Partners, Maryland Venture Fund and Almaz Capital. Xometry has raised a total of $113m to date.

[Read more…] about Xometry raises $50 million for on-demand parts marketplace