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Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling

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In the warehouse, robots aren’t replacing workers. They’re playing a vital role in keeping the supply chain from completely toppling, says Mike Futch, CEO of Tompkins Robotics

What do robotics look like in the modern world of warehousing and distribution?

If you’re like many, you might envision a large, heavy, steel system that’s bolted to the floor, with an arm twirling in a repetitive motion performing some task of sorting or tagging. The machine is stationary. It stays in one spot, performing the same function, day after day.

Let me tell you: That’s your grandad’s robotics. Today, the supply chain relies on a growing fleet of small, automated robots that are portable, scalable and modular. They’re also configurable, so their jobs can change as needed by their users, whether it’s warehouses and distributors, retailers, manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, freight shippers and so on. [Read more…] about Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling

Outrider opens ‘industry’s first’ test site dedicated to distribution yard automation

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Outrider, the startup company pioneering autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs, has opened the Outrider Advanced Testing Facility, which it says is “the first-ever test site dedicated to distribution yard automation technologies”.

Located in Brighton, Colorado, this 200,000-square-foot distribution yard with 49 dock doors operates 16 hours per day, five days per week and will expand to 24-hour operation in 2022.

This test facility is being used to validate Outrider’s autonomous capabilities, supporting the scaling of deployments at customer sites. [Read more…] about Outrider opens ‘industry’s first’ test site dedicated to distribution yard automation

ANYmal helps mining giant Vale to prioritize people in its industry

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In a partnership with ANYbotics, Vale highlights its commitment to becoming one of the safest and most reliable mining companies in the world.

The results showed that ANYmal helps reduce exposure to hazardous conditions and integrates seamlessly into Vale’s team to autonomously perform routine inspections and deliver improved reporting during operations and periods of downtime. [Read more…] about ANYmal helps mining giant Vale to prioritize people in its industry

Norway prime minister officially opens AutoStore Innovation Hub

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AutoStore, the leading robotic technology company, has created a pioneering test facility that can allow for faster fitting of automated systems for its clients to keep up with order demand.

Prime Minister of Norway, Erna Solberg (pictured below cutting ribbon), was said to be “deeply impressed” by AutoStore’s success when she officially opened the new test center and had it demonstrated.

As she officially opened the Innovation Hub, Solberg said: “AutoStore is a guiding star showing the way towards growth for the Norwegian private sector.” [Read more…] about Norway prime minister officially opens AutoStore Innovation Hub

Perrone Robotics confirms commitment to develop autonomous vehicle test facility at ACM

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Perrone Robotics, a provider of fully automated vehicle technology and solutions, has “solidified its commitment” to develop an advanced automated vehicle test facility at the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti, Michigan by signing a new lease.

ACM’s smart mobility test center will enable Perrone’s team to work on high-speed, long-term, and continuous testing of a wide range of transit vans, shuttles, cargo vehicles, and trucks integrated with Perrone’s patented autonomous vehicle TONY Retrofit solution.

Perrone’s signed commitment with ACM comes just a few short months after the company received a $10 million investment from CapStone Holdings. The funding will support Perrone as it continues to advance its leadership role in the mobility industry. [Read more…] about Perrone Robotics confirms commitment to develop autonomous vehicle test facility at ACM

Denver schools bring in robots to clean floors

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Brain Corp, a developer of software for robots, says that Denver Public Schools, one of the nation’s largest school districts, has selected BrainOS-powered robotics scrubbers, manufactured by Tennant Company, to enhance cleanliness and sanitation at some of its more than 200 schools.

Denver Public Schools made the decision to invest in a large fleet of self-driving floor cleaners to give its facility management employees increased bandwidth to work on other higher-value tasks, such as cleaning between classes and other in-depth cleaning. The machines will be deployed this summer at various high schools in the 90,000-student district.

Rich Archuletta, director of facility operations at Denver Public Schools, says: “These new autonomous floor cleaners are a critical technology investment that will help us enhance cleanliness at 14 of our largest buildings, mainly our 10 comprehensive high schools. This is a huge benefit to our students, while maintaining future operating costs. [Read more…] about Denver schools bring in robots to clean floors

5 Ways to Improve Productivity in Your Manufacturing Facility

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Manufacturing facilities are among the busiest places regardless of where they’re located or what industry they cater to. Workers move in a calculated manner, and one wrong action might affect their output for the day.

Also, these facilities usually expect a high productivity rate from their staff members. If you’re an employer struggling to achieve this, read on to discover how you can boost your establishment’s efficiency. [Read more…] about 5 Ways to Improve Productivity in Your Manufacturing Facility

GM and LG invest $2.3 billion in second battery manufacturing plant in US

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Ultium Cells, a joint venture of LG Energy Solution and General Motors, is planning to make a “more than $2.3 billion investment” to build its second battery cell manufacturing plant in the United States. The facility will be located in Spring Hill, Tennessee.

Ultium Cells will build the new plant on land leased from GM. The new battery cell plant will create 1,300 new jobs. Construction on the approximately 2.8 million-square-foot facility will begin immediately, and the plant is scheduled to open in late 2023. Once operational, the facility will supply battery cells to GM’s Spring Hill assembly plant.

Mary Barra, GM chairman and CEO, says: “The addition of our second all-new Ultium battery cell plant in the US with our joint venture partner LG Energy Solution is another major step in our transition to an all-electric future. [Read more…] about GM and LG invest $2.3 billion in second battery manufacturing plant in US

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

TCL implements ‘world’s first’ 5G-enabled autonomous mobile robots from ForwardX

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The Huizhou factory of Chinese multinational electronics company TCL, specializing in surface-mount technology processes, has installed dozens of ForwardX Max 300 Lift Autonomous Mobile Robots to automate the movement of materials across the production facility.

So far, the project has resulted in improved productivity across the production process, less labor dependency for material handling, and a quicker inventory turnover.

The AMRs connect and communicate through a 5G network which was set up as part of TCL’s 5G+ Smart Factory Initiative. [Read more…] about TCL implements ‘world’s first’ 5G-enabled autonomous mobile robots from ForwardX