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Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

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Over the last few years, as e-commerce sales have increased and customer expectations have shifted, there has been a steady race to move fulfillment closer to the customer.

Something once so innovative as two-day delivery has led to next-day delivery, which is quickly becoming obsolete as consumers demand same-day delivery.

This trend has accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as more consumers become comfortable with online ordering of perishable items and groceries. One of the significant changes in supply chain strategies we are seeing as a result of this is the rise of fulfillment centers that bring fulfillment closer to the consumer. [Read more…] about Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

Walmart begins to scale local fulfillment centers

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Walmart, the world’s largest supermarket chain, has started to scale its local fulfillment centers in the apparent belief that highly automated micro-warehouses are the way to go. 

The company has been working with a range of robotics companies on changing many aspects of its operation, and Alphabot (main picture) is one of the robots it has been testing.

Brian Roth, senior manager of pickup automation and digital operations for Walmart US, says: “With Alphabot, our associates should be able to put even more focus on helping the customer.” [Read more…] about Walmart begins to scale local fulfillment centers

Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

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Fetch Robotics and Honeywell Intelligrated have partnered to launch a new “integrated pallet conveyance” solution for distributions centers.

Fetch Robotics says its new PalletTransport1500 is an autonomous mobile robot that supports cross-docking, returns and case picking workflows for contactless pallet transport in distribution centers.

The PalletTransport1500 will utilize Honeywell Intelligrated’s Momentum warehouse execution system software, known as Momentum WES, to safely move pallets and other large payloads up to 1136kg (2504 lbs). [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

Fetch Robotics integrates AMRs into Vargo’s warehouse execution system

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Fetch Robotics, a warehouse robotics company, has agreed a partnership with Vargo, a provider of warehouse execution software, and a plan to launch an integrated fulfillment solution.

The new solution will combine Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with Continuous Order Fulfillment Engine (Cofe), Vargo’s industry-leading warehouse execution system (WES), to enable distribution centers to optimize order fulfillment with the latest technology in real time.

The growth of e-commerce and omnichannel fulfillment has pushed companies to optimize their order fulfillment processes to gain efficiencies and to do so with more speed and accuracy. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics integrates AMRs into Vargo’s warehouse execution system

Swisslog partners with retail chain H-E-B to build automated micro-fulfillment centers

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Swisslog, a warehouse automation company, has partnered with H-E-B in San Antonio, Texas to support the company’s growing demand for online fulfillment.

H-E-B says demand for its online grocery services is continuing to accelerate.

Swisslog is working with H-E-B to build a number of automated micro-fulfillment centers to support the chain’s curbside pick-up and delivery business. [Read more…] about Swisslog partners with retail chain H-E-B to build automated micro-fulfillment centers

US launches billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence institutes

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The US government has launched a billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence scientific research institutes.

The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the US Department of Energy (DOE) will distribute the $1 billion in awards for the establishment of 12 new artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum information science (QIS) research institutes nationwide.

The $1 billion will go towards NSF-led AI Research Institutes and DOE QIS Research Centers over five years, establishing 12 multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional national hubs for research and workforce development in these critical emerging technologies. [Read more…] about US launches billion-dollar plan to establish quantum computing and artificial intelligence institutes

Comau launches mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers

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Comau has launched a mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers.

The company’s “in.Grid/Link” is part of its Smart Digital Restart plan and internet of things platform developed in collaboration with Microsoft.

A light version of the application will be available for free for a period of six months, first in Italy and then in other countries. [Read more…] about Comau launches mobile app for remote monitoring and diagnostics of its robots and machining centers

Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

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Retail giant Gap says it has improved its supply chain output by implementing robots supplied by Kindred. (See video below.)

The system Kindred has supplied uses industrial robotic arms originally manufactured by Fanuc integrated into a solution called “Sort”.

Gap says that it has been “faced with an unprecedented surge in e-commerce and an extreme workforce disruption” which persuaded it that “now is the time for artificial intelligence and robotics solutions to solve complex fulfillment problems”. [Read more…] about Retail giant Gap improves supply chain with Kindred ‘Sort’ robots

MSC Industrial Supply integrates systems from Plus One Robotics at fulfillment centers

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MSC Industrial Supply is integrating Plus One Robotics systems at its fulfillment centers.

MSC is a distributor of metalworking and maintenance repair and operations products and services for industrial customers throughout North America.

The company says the partnership with Plus One Robotics will “support and enhance the efficiency” of its customer fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about MSC Industrial Supply integrates systems from Plus One Robotics at fulfillment centers

6 River Systems strengthens capabilities of its warehouse robots

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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

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