Robotics & Automation News

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stow Robotics and Phononic collaborate to design cold chain fulfillment solutions

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stow Robotics, the warehouse automation business unit within stow Group, and Phononic, a provider of solid state cooling technology, have formed a strategic alliance to provide cold chain fulfillment solutions that serve the retail grocery industry across North America and Europe.

Combining stow Robotics’ automation expertise with Phononic’s sustainable active cooling technology, the two companies are collaborating to design, develop and scale solutions for cold chain fulfillment, particularly for grocery automated fulfillment centers.

stow Group is one of the leading suppliers of industrial storage solutions. Through stow Robotics, stow Group is implementing warehouse automation for every industrial need with its growing platform of scalable and innovative automated technologies. [Read more…] about stow Robotics and Phononic collaborate to design cold chain fulfillment solutions

DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

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DHL Supply Chain, the world’s biggest logistics company and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has become the first company to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot developed for carton unloading of trucks.

The successful deployment of the robot comes just one year after DHL Supply Chain announced its $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

In the application, Stretch robots take packages from the back of trailers and place them on a flexible conveyor. [Read more…] about DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, and Locus Robotics, a builder of autonomous mobile robotics for logistics and distribution warehouses, have agreed a partnership with the unveiling of their combined solution that integrates the Berkshire Grey Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (BG RSPWi) with Locus Origin and Locus Vector bots.

This “innovative integrated solution” uses end-to-end robotic automation solutions for retail and e-commerce customers looking to maximize their supply chain productivity and throughput while addressing growing labor shortages.

Ongoing labor availability and inflation challenges continue to put growing pressures on supply chain and distribution frameworks. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines

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Two senior executives from Bright Machines, a manufacturing automation company, give Robotics and Automation News their thoughts and forecasts for the year ahead.

The predictions offer insight on manufacturing trends, supply chain evolution, the future of automation, and more. [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines

ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

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Astrocast, a global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and ArrowSpot has signed a multi-million-dollar contract to start mass production of ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack SAT device.

The contract between Astrocast and ArrowSpot includes hardware integration and Satellite IoT (SatIoT) connectivity for an initial three-year period.

For context, ArrowSpot’s technology solutions provide the worldwide supply chain logistics industry with online information for safe & secure sensitive chilled cargo and high value cargo. Clients working with ArrowSpot include ZIM Shipping Line and Oceanex Inc. intermodal transportation services. [Read more…] about ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

Attabotics secures $72 million to automate legacy fulfillment centers

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Attabotics, a robotics-led supply chain company, has raised $71.7 million in Series C-1 funding led by Export Development Canada (EDC) with participation from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) through Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG).

The round brings Attabotics’ total funding to $165.1 million to date and will be used to further accelerate the commercialization of its 3D robotics warehousing solution in the wake of growing post-Covid-19 demand.

Attabotics is the world’s first supply chain solution for modern commerce. The company’s all-in-one automated fulfillment system condenses a typical warehouse by creating a single, vertical storage structure. [Read more…] about Attabotics secures $72 million to automate legacy fulfillment centers

Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

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Networking giant Nokia has agreed a collaboration with Flex Brazil to deploy 5G SA private wireless networks in its manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

Initial use cases will focus at increasing wireless applications and exploring the potential of 5G for reliable connectivity, massive transfers of operational data and greater layout flexibility on the shopfloor.

Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) will provide the private wireless on-demand service as well as MX Industrial Edge computing and digital-enabling applications. [Read more…] about Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

United Natural Foods brings in robots from Symbotic to automate warehouse

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United Natural Foods has entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s AI-powered robotics and software automation in five of UNFI’s distribution centers over the next four years.

Under the agreement, UNFI also has an option to implement Symbotic’s warehouse automation systems in additional distribution centers.

Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic case pick capabilities, is designed to enable UNFI to transform its distribution centers to enhance capabilities and efficiency, improve order accuracy for its customers, increase storage capacity within its facilities, and facilitate planned future growth. [Read more…] about United Natural Foods brings in robots from Symbotic to automate warehouse

Generation gap is ‘leading cause’ of labor shortage in warehouses, says Berkshire Grey report

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The majority of chief supply chain officers say that the generation gap is “leading cause of the labor shortage in warehouses”, according to research conducted by Berkshire Grey.

Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, made the revelation in its 2022 State of Retail & eCommerce Fulfillment Report.

The research, conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, surveyed chief supply chain officers at retail and ecommerce businesses on topics including labor issues, costs, pain points, automation and predicted areas of industry growth to uncover how organizations are meeting increasing consumer demands in today’s always-on retail world. [Read more…] about Generation gap is ‘leading cause’ of labor shortage in warehouses, says Berkshire Grey report

NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics

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NFI Industries, a supply chain solutions provider, has signed a $10 million agreement to deploy Boston Dynamics’ newest robot, Stretch, across its US warehousing operations.

The mobile robot will begin unloading trucks and containers as a pilot program at NFI’s Savannah, GA facility in 2023, with plans to outfit additional warehouse locations across North America over the next few years.

Supply chain demand remains near all-time highs. To support the flow of goods and increase operational capacity, NFI continues to invest in technology that supports a people-led, technology-enabled approach. [Read more…] about NFI places $10 million order for material handling robots from Boston Dynamics