Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

centers

NTT training robots to become data center workers

by

NTT, the national telecommunications provider of Japan and one of the largest such companies in the world, is training industrial robots to become data center workers.

The company has a separate business division for data centers called Global Data Centers and says its global platform is “one of the largest in the world”.

Its data centers tend to be huge facilities and are “expensive to run”, mostly because of the massive amount of electricity necessary and the cooling infrastructure, not to mention the sheer floor space required. [Read more…] about NTT training robots to become data center workers

Evocargo to exhibit autonomous logistics vehicle technology at CES

by

Evocargo will showcase its cutting-edge services in cargo transportation based on their own electric unmanned vehicle in the Vehicle Tech category at the Consumer Electronics Show 2022, being held in Las Vegas from January 5-8.

Established in 2019, Evocargo will exhibit its Smart Logistic service based on unmanned all-electric platforms. Evocargo’s EVO.1 vehicle (3.5 tons full weight) will be displayed, featuring a payload capacity of 1.5 tons, power reserve of 155 miles and operating time of 20 hours with 40-minute charging time.

Evocargo’s all-electric/hydrogen autonomous vehicles ensure its customers’ operations are always on time, optimized and precisely coordinated through all process cycles. [Read more…] about Evocargo to exhibit autonomous logistics vehicle technology at CES

Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

by

Berkshire Grey has launched a range of Robotic Pick and Pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment.

Berkshire Grey RPP solutions automate picking and packing of items directly from inventory totes to outbound customer shipping packages.

This solution improves operational efficiency for fulfillment centers, reduces shipping costs and lowers the environmental impact of eCommerce orders. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

Supply chain robotics developer Photoneo raises $21 million in Series B funding

by

Photoneo, a developer of robotics for warehouse tasks, has raised $21 million in new funding.

The new funding was from AI Capital, IPM Group, Earlybird, Venture to Future Fund, and Credo Ventures as well as all investors who participated in previous investment rounds.

The newly raised capital will accelerate 3D Sensor business and enable expansion of its fully automated fulfillment solutions for warehouses and dark stores – called BrightPick. [Read more…] about Supply chain robotics developer Photoneo raises $21 million in Series B funding

New Honeywell warehouse automation technology allows sites to maximize storage and increase order fulfillment

by

Honeywell has launched its latest solution in intelligent automated handling designed to help warehouses, distribution centers and manufacturing sites receive, process and fill orders faster and more accurately while potentially reducing storage footprint.

Honeywell’s next-generation Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to allow warehouse and distribution center operators to better keep up with unprecedented ecommerce growth.

Ben Cardwell, president of Honeywell Intelligrated, says: “The rapidly evolving retail market is pushing distribution centers to find and use innovative, flexible and automated approaches to e-commerce order fulfillment. Growing inventories, the rising cost of land and other pressures are pushing operations to make the most efficient use of available space. [Read more…] about New Honeywell warehouse automation technology allows sites to maximize storage and increase order fulfillment

Badger Technologies launches retail automation pilot program

by

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

Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

by

Honeywell has unveiled its latest innovation in robotic technology designed to help warehouses and distribution centers automate the manual process of unloading pallets, reducing the operational risks of potential injuries and labor shortages.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff. [Read more…] about Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

Lucas Systems and Fetch Robotics partner to optimize robot-and-worker collaboration in warehouses

by

Lucas Systems, a provider of voice and warehouse optimization software for fulfillment and distribution centers, has entered a partnership with Silicon Valley-based Fetch Robotics to enable the next generation of smart warehouses.

Through the partnership, Lucas and Fetch will offer tailored solutions to orchestrate and optimize how warehouse workers interact in harmony with Fetch’s autonomous mobile robots.

Fulfillment and distribution centers are under tremendous pressure due to growth in e-commerce combined with a shrinking labor market. [Read more…] about Lucas Systems and Fetch Robotics partner to optimize robot-and-worker collaboration in warehouses

Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

by

Fetch Robotics says it has achieved “full conformance” with R15.08, the first safety standard specifically formulated for industrial mobile robots

Fetch Robotics says its full suite of autonomous mobile robots conforms with ANSI / RIA R15.08, the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots.

This latest milestone ensures that Fetch’s AMRs can be safely utilized in all current use cases throughout warehouses, factories, distribution centers and fulfillment centers.

Released on Dec 25th, 2020 by the RIA (Robotics Industry Association), R15.08 is the new safety standard for industrial mobile robots. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics machines ‘fully conform’ with first safety standard for industrial mobile robots

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

by

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