Robotics & Automation News

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NEC develops AI technology to enable robots to handle disorderly placed items

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NEC – a large Japanese multinational information technology and electronics company – says it has developed AI technology for robotics that enables “precise handling operations on unorganized and disorderly placed items”.

By predicting both the areas hidden by obstacles and the results of a robot’s actions, this technology makes it possible for robots to perform tasks that were previously performed manually, thereby contributing to the improvement of productivity and work-styles.

In recent years, due to labor shortages and other factors, the need for automation through the introduction of robots and large-scale equipment has been increasing in logistics warehouses and factories. [Read more…] about NEC develops AI technology to enable robots to handle disorderly placed items

Osaro targets fast-growing subscription market with AI-powered kitting robots

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Osaro, a developer of machine-learning-enabled robotics for e-commerce, has launched the Osaro Robotic Kitting System.

This addition to its range of e-commerce robots is equipped with advanced piece-picking skills and end effectors to handle the constantly changing array of product SKUs that must be organized, placed, and packaged into custom kits.

The new system addresses the exploding market for subscription products that require kitting. Kitting is both a merchandising strategy and a logistics technique whereby curated boxes of complementary items are packaged and shipped together as a single “kit” with a unique SKU. [Read more…] about Osaro targets fast-growing subscription market with AI-powered kitting robots

ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses

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ABB Robotics has enhanced its industry-leading logistics automation portfolio with the launch of the Robotic Item Picker – a new AI and vision-based solution that can accurately detect and pick items in unstructured environments in warehouses and fulfillment centers.

Daniel Navarro, managing director of consumer segments and service robotics at ABB Robotics, says: “The explosion of e-commerce, changing consumer demands, and global labor shortages are driving the need for flexible automated solutions that make order fulfillment and distribution faster and more efficient.

“With its ability to learn and adapt in constantly changing warehouse environments, our AI-enabled Robotic Item Picker sees items and decides how to pick them, at speed with more than 99.5 percent efficiency, helping businesses overcome these challenges and build resilience.” [Read more…] about ABB unveils AI-enabled robotic item picker for warehouses

Körber develops new robotic system for de-palletizing pallets to trays

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Körber Supply Chain says it has “solved” the pallet-to-tray issues many warehouses face – the company has developed a new “turnkey system solution” for de-palletizing pallets to trays.

With the launch of a new de-palletization system, Körber Supply Chain claims it has become “the first supplier of automated logistics solutions to offer a total turnkey solution for the separation of goods from pallet to tray”.

Körber says its goal is to fully automate and eliminate risks and sudden downtime in the sorting process. [Read more…] about Körber develops new robotic system for de-palletizing pallets to trays

Soft Robotics using Nvidia simulation technology to develop its gripping system

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Soft Robotics has applied Nvidia Isaac Sim’s synthetic data to food processing automation in efforts to improve safety and increase production.

Developers have been striving to close the gap on robotic gripping for the past several years, pursuing applications for multibillion-dollar industries. Securely gripping and transferring fast-moving items on conveyor belts holds vast promise for businesses.

Soft Robotics, a Bedford, Massachusetts startup, is harnessing Nvidia Isaac Sim to help close the sim to real gap for a handful of robotic gripping applications. One area is perfecting gripping for pick and placement of foods for packaging. [Read more…] about Soft Robotics using Nvidia simulation technology to develop its gripping system

Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

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Geek+, a provider of mobile logistics robots, has released its latest solution, RoboShuttle Plus, which looks similar to, and may compete with, the AutoStore system. 

Geek+ says its new RoboShuttle Plus system achieves one-stop storage and picking of all types of goods and delivers higher throughput and flexibility, adding that “this marks a significant advance in the interoperability of Geek+’s various robot models and a stride towards full warehouse automation”.

The upgraded solution fills the market gap for an all-in-one picking solution by coordinating of three types of robots around one centralized workstation: RoboShuttles handle vertical storage and retrieval of totes, P40 picking robots move smaller items, and P500 and P800 robots move medium to large items. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

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

Exotec expands warehouse automation product range

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Exotec, a warehouse robotics provider, has expanded its product portfolio with three solutions: a new conveyor system, an improved picking solution, and new proprietary warehouse software.

As inflation, economic headwinds, and labour shortages continue to place mounting pressure on supply chains, businesses around the world are looking for ways to address their immediate needs while also positioning themselves for an unpredictable future. Increasingly, this means doing more with less.

To help meet these needs, Exotec is releasing a new conveyor system, updated robotic picking solution, and proprietary warehouse software that all perfectly integrate with the Skypod system. [Read more…] about Exotec expands warehouse automation product range

Amazon introduces industrial robotic arm that ‘handles millions of diverse products’

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Amazon has unveiled a new industrial robotic arm that the company says is capable of handling “millions of diverse products”.

The internet retail giant describes the Sparrow robot as a new intelligent robotic system that streamlines the fulfillment process by moving individual products before they get packaged – a major technological advancement to support our employees.

Over the past decade, Amazon has been at the forefront of innovation, making significant investments in robotics and advanced technology within its operations. [Read more…] about Amazon introduces industrial robotic arm that ‘handles millions of diverse products’

Smart Robotics launches new robotic merchandise picker

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Smart Robotics, a specialist developer of pick and place solutions for warehouses and logistics processes, has launched its newly engineered Smart Merchandise Picker.

The launch comes just as the festive season kick-offs, with warehouses experiencing a sharp increase in seasonal demand and the need to keep up with order sorting and shipping.

Designed as a collaborative robot (cobot), the Smart Merchandise Picker is able to handle an array of lightweight products, such as stationery and office supplies, handheld devices like smartphones and tablets, and a variety of toys in boxes. [Read more…] about Smart Robotics launches new robotic merchandise picker