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Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has acquired Waypoint Robotics, a builder of omnidirectional mobile robots. Financial details were not disclosed.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “Locus is the proven leader in the development of highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimization.

“As order fulfillment and labor shortages continue to grow around the world, the acquisition of Waypoint Robotics will accelerate our ability to meet these global needs in just months rather than years, helping us drive the digital transformation of the warehouse.” [Read more…] about Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotics and automation systems for supply chain processes, has launched its AI-powered Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (RSPW) solution for e-commerce order fulfillment.

The RSPW is an automated put wall that increases capacity and throughput with robotic automation, which the company says is “more important than ever”, given today’s heightened customer expectations for fast and efficient fulfillment and the parallel industry pressure of labor scarcity.

Kevin Prouty, analyst at IDC, says: “Businesses will continue to see e-commerce orders rise as global e-commerce sales expect to approach $5 trillion by the end of 2021. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

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Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines Robotics have agreed a collaboration that they say will deliver “comprehensive remote command, autonomous control and intelligent crew support systems to the marine market” and complement Rolls-Royce’s mtu NautIQ marine automation portfolio.

The companies say the plan is to provide customers with “complete automation solutions from a single trusted source”.

As part of this agreement, Rolls-Royce business unit Power Systems and Sea Machines, the leading developer of remote-vessel command and autonomous control systems, will join forces on the development and sale of fully and semi-autonomous vessel control systems. [Read more…] about Rolls-Royce and Sea Machines partner to develop smart ship and autonomous ship control solutions

Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services

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Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, is partnering with Advanced Handling Systems, a system integrator of fulfillment and distribution solutions within the supply chain.

The partnership aims to help companies grow despite the labor shortages and logistics challenges that are straining the supply chain.

The two companies will combine their AI-enabled robotic automation and system design and integration services to deliver “next-generation warehouse robotics” to the world’s largest and best-known e-commerce and third party logistics providers. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services

ABB launches ‘FlexBuffer’ robotic work cell for e-commerce supply chain operations

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ABB is responding to the growing consumer demand for choice and fast delivery with the launch of its FlexBuffer application cell.

FlexBuffer brings new levels of flexibility for logistics, food and beverage, healthcare, consumer packaged goods, restaurants and retailers, offering a highly adaptable multi-functional solution for handling a variety of tasks such as sequencing, buffering, storage and order consolidation.

Marc Segura, group senior vice president managing director consumer segments and service robotics at ABB, says: “The constantly changing nature of today’s consumer landscape and the explosion of e-commerce is challenging the conventional systems used for processing and delivering orders. [Read more…] about ABB launches ‘FlexBuffer’ robotic work cell for e-commerce supply chain operations

Decathlon to implement PAL Robotics’ StockBot in facilities worldwide

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Sports goods giant Decathlon and PAL Robotics have launched a global partnership after PAL Robotics’ StockBot inventory tracking and data collection solution was selected for rollout across Decathlon stores in multiple countries, assisting the team and elevating in-store experience.

The retailer has implemented the solution in order to improve in-store operations and efficiencies so that teammates are able to dedicate more time helping customers for a better customer experience, as well as helping improve product availability rates.

PAL Robotics’ StockBot solution was first implemented in Decathlon Singapore, as well as more recently in France, The Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Ireland, Italy, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia. Discussions are also ongoing on further deployment opportunities in other countries. [Read more…] about Decathlon to implement PAL Robotics’ StockBot in facilities worldwide

GXO pilots customised robotic arm for fashion e-commerce logistics

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GXO Logistics, which claims to be the world’s largest pure-play contract logistics provider, has launched an “industry-first pilot” of intelligent automation at its fashion e-commerce warehouse in Tilburg, the Netherlands.

GXO’s pilot of the Pick-it-Easy Robot station is tailored for one of its key global customers, in collaboration with value chain tech provider Knapp.

The pilot is the first application of Knapp’s Pick-it-Easy Robot technology for automated pocket induction in the sector for apparel logistics. [Read more…] about GXO pilots customised robotic arm for fashion e-commerce logistics

Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

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By Thomas R Cutler

According to Jason Spera, CEO and Co-Founder, Aegis Software, a quality-driven mindset across every layer of an enterprise, strategically enhances process visibility and compliance to enable improvements in both cost and customer satisfaction.

In today’s customer-centered world, meeting the needs of customers is more demanding and business-critical than ever. Simultaneously, manufacturers struggle to reduce operating costs as margins compress and the competitive landscape intensifies.

This dichotomy and a pressure to “choose” between reducing costs and delighting customers is not mutually exclusive. Best-in-class manufacturers recognize there is no tradeoff; they take a holistic approach to quality management that allows them to excel in both arenas. [Read more…] about Automation Must Include a Quality-Driven Mindset

Gatik raises $85 million in Series B funding for its autonomous delivery trucks

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Gatik has raised investment of $85 million in Series B funding to “significantly expand North America’s first autonomous middle mile logistics network”.

The company says the round was “heavily oversubscribed” and brings the total amount raised by Gatik to $114.5 million.

The round was led by new investor Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), renowned for supporting high-growth companies that disrupt current market alternatives with demonstrated technology. [Read more…] about Gatik raises $85 million in Series B funding for its autonomous delivery trucks

Innodisk releases industrial-grade solid-state disks with ‘world’s highest capacity’

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Innodisk, a provider of industrial flash and memory solutions, has released its industrial-grade 112-Layer 3D TLC SSDs along with “the world’s highest capacity up to 8TB”.

The 112-layer SSDs introduces a complete product line including the SATA 3TG6-P and 3TE7 series, as well as the PCIe Gen3x4 and Gen4x4 series.

The new TLC SSD Series marks Innodisk’s continued development with 3D NAND design, bringing better efficiency, faster performance, and increased capacity. [Read more…] about Innodisk releases industrial-grade solid-state disks with ‘world’s highest capacity’