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Berkshire Grey secures $23 million order for grocery picking robots

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, has secured a $23 million multi-phase order with a global retailer for online same day grocery fulfillment.

The Berkshire Grey Intelligent Enterprise Robotics (IER) solutions robotically pick grocery items from inventory and pack the items into customer bags to fill orders that are placed online and via mobile apps.

Berkshire Grey’s robotic solutions can operate back-of-store, putting the operation close to current shoppers for rapid pickup and delivery, and in larger dedicated fulfillment and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey secures $23 million order for grocery picking robots

Fetch Robotics and Körber unveil new case picking solution for distribution centers

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Fetch Robotics, a warehouse robotics and automation specialist, has unveiled a new integrated case pick-to-pallet solution with Körber, a multinational conglomerate with 10,000 employees worldwide.

The new solution dynamically orchestrates the movement of warehouse associates and robots, combining the power of Fetch’s Freight500 and Freight1500 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with the optimization capabilities of Körber’s warehouse management systems, supporting case picking workflows for facilities of all sizes.

Warehouse needs have risen dramatically over the past year, as a surge in consumer spending has increased demands on distribution centers. Additionally, distribution organizations face longstanding labor challenges. This includes hiring and retaining skilled staff, accommodating seasonal fluctuations, and relying on temporary workers to operate forklifts. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics and Körber unveil new case picking solution for distribution centers

Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

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Register here for the free and live webinar now on Tuesday 18th May, 11am EDT
Webinar: How Automation Can Hold the Key to Increased Efficiency for Healthcare Fulfilment, on Tuesday 18th May (11am EDT)

Healthcare supply chains have been placed under huge stress over the past 15 months given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, with warehouse operations having been heavily affected due to demand fluctuations and workforce capabilities.

Supply chain leaders from healthcare providers and distributors must ensure that they have the capabilities to deliver in line with the ongoing volatile nature of the market. [Read more…] about Webinar: Reuters looks into healthcare supply chains

Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot

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Omron Industrial Automation Europe has signed a new distribution agreement with OnRobot, the Danish manufacturer of tools for collaborative robot (cobot) applications.

This will enable Omron to offer OnRobot’s products – which can be fully integrated with the Omron TM cobot – to its customers in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The agreement between the two companies will give their customers greater agility when implementing collaborative solutions. [Read more…] about Omron agrees distribution deal with OnRobot

AHS partners with Caja Robotics to bring robotic fulfillment to major distribution facility

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Advanced Handling Systems is partnering with Caja Robotics to optimize a Midwest distribution facility for a major retailer.

AHS, a full-service systems integrator located in Erlanger, Kentucky, is a premier US partner of Caja Robotics and will be completing the installation and deployment of approximately 100 robots in the new facility.

Caja Robotics is a visionary software and robotics company that is committed to advancing warehouse operations through its proprietary, smart, and flexible goods-to-person robotic fulfillment solution. [Read more…] about AHS partners with Caja Robotics to bring robotic fulfillment to major distribution facility

GreyOrange upgrades its warehouse automation system to enable movement of heavy items

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GreyOrange, a warehouse robotics and automation company, says its GreyMatter fulfillment operating system now supports unmanned heavy payload movement, directing its Ranger Intralogistics robots to move heavy payload inventory within warehouse zones.

GreyMatter continuously assesses Distribution Center (DC) performance and deploys intelligent Ranger IL robots to transfer a diverse range of inventory payloads that weigh up to 2,205 pounds—on pallets, racks, cages or trolleys—within a facility.

GreyMatter’s mobile-spatial intelligence enables these Ranger robots to operate accident-free, utilizing LiDAR based SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) to perceive surroundings and select collision-free routes. [Read more…] about GreyOrange upgrades its warehouse automation system to enable movement of heavy items

XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

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XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, has embarked on a new autonomous forklift truck technology pilot program in collaboration with Balyo, a specialist developer of robotics for goods handling equipment.

XPO is the first logistics company in Europe to test Balyo’s latest robotic “reach truck” – referring to its higher reach – under real-life conditions. The pilot is underway at an XPO distribution center near Blois, France.

Malcolm Wilson, XPO’s chief executive officer – Europe, says: “We’re pleased that our on-site tests will help optimize intelligent reach trucks for the logistics environment. As we pilot the robotics in our operations, we’re also exploring these applications to increase efficiency for customers and to support our employees.” [Read more…] about XPO Logistics pilots autonomous forklift truck technology in partnership with Balyo and Linde

Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

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By John Hayes, Balyo USA

Economic policies from Industry 4.0, Logistics 4.0, and connected warehouses point to the imperative to lower costs, increase productivity, and guarantee quality. There are as many forklift truck operator positions to be filled as there are IT developer and R&D engineer jobs combined.

In the United States, 65 percent of the businesses surveyed by Deloitte (as part of its annual Supply Chain report) noted that it is “extremely difficult” to hire qualified warehouse labor.

Moving pallets is expensive. One of the global Fast Moving Customer Goods (FMCG) leaders estimates spending “almost 380 million dollars per year” for tasks that create no additional value for the business. [Read more…] about Changing Material Handling Industry Accelerates AGV Robotics

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

Dematic automates Landmark Group’s main distribution centre

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Dematic has completed a new automated distribution centre for the Landmark Group in Dubai, UAE, allowing the multinational retailer to consolidate the logistics activities for part of its five existing manual distribution sites.

Mihin Shah, chief supply chain officer of Landmark Group, says: “The automation solution designed by Dematic allows our supply chain network to now operate with enhanced efficiency, productivity and transparency.

“With this investment, we are advancing technological progress and taking a pioneering position in our region.” [Read more…] about Dematic automates Landmark Group’s main distribution centre