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Locus Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round, bringing its valuation to ‘$1 billion’

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Locus Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has raised $150 million in Series E funding, led by Tiger Global Management and BOND.

The round builds on support from existing investors including Scale Venture Partners and Prologis Ventures, the venture capital arm of Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate. It also brings the valuation of Locus Robotics to $1 billion, according to the company.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “This new round of funding marks an important inflection point for Locus Robotics. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises $150 million in latest funding round, bringing its valuation to ‘$1 billion’

K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

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K.Hartwall has launched a new “autonomous mobile robot” called A-Mate. The company says this is the first fully electric free-lift pallet “AGV” with omnidirectional drive on the market. 

K.Hartwall calls its new machine an AGV as well as an AMR, which indicates the ongoing merging of the two technologies across the industry.

The company says the A-Mate is an extremely versatile mobile robot that will bring a new level of automation to intra-logistics, and to the movements of different load carriers, from pallets to roll containers and foldable cages or “gitter” boxes. [Read more…] about K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

Effidence adds new functionality to its warehouse robot

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Effidence has added new functionality to its warehouse robot, Effibot.

The Effibot is described as “an adaptive handling robot with a customizable structure”.

The new functionality is called “3D-Cart Grip” and said to be an accessory that automates the picking and depositing of Effidence 3D-Cart trolleys (see main picture and video below). [Read more…] about Effidence adds new functionality to its warehouse robot

Organic products wholesaler doubles output with AutoStore installed by Swisslog

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The leading wholesaler in the Swiss organic products market, Bio Partner, has doubled its output following the implementation of robotic logistics from Swisslog at its facility in Aargau, Switzerland.

Bio Partner supplies business customers in the organic specialist trade as well as the rest of the retail and food industry from its location in Seon.

As a result of the merger with Somona, the warehouse reached its performance and capacity limits, and the wholesaler turned to a local partner with a global footprint to deliver an automated storage system. [Read more…] about Organic products wholesaler doubles output with AutoStore installed by Swisslog

Siasun partners with Jordan Sports to open new logistics facility

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Siasun has partnered with Jordan Sports to open a new, “modern“ logistics facility which features extensive robotics and automation.

The Chinese manufacturer of robotic arms says that, with the widespread application of sports biomechanics in the field of sports equipment, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a more scientific and comfortable sports experience.

In this “huge market”, a large number of outstanding sports brands compete, and Jordan Sports is one of the outstanding ones. [Read more…] about Siasun partners with Jordan Sports to open new logistics facility

Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA

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Aerospace giant Airbus has been awarded a CLTV (Cis-Lunar Transfer Vehicle) study for a “Moon Cruiser” by the European Space Agency (ESA).

According to the study concept (two parallel Phase A/B1), the CLTV is a versatile, autonomous logistics vehicle that could, for example, provide timely and efficient support to NASA and ESA in the implementation of the future Artemis Moon missions.

The spacecraft will be based on existing and proven technologies and will complement the multipurpose European Large Logistic Lander (EL3). [Read more…] about Airbus to develop ‘Moon Cruiser’ concept for ESA

Safelog AGVs win numerous awards

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Safelog automated guided vehicles have won numerous awards over the past few months, including a German Design Award as well as an IF Design Award.

In the latest success, Safelog’s AGV product range emerged from the Red Dot design competition with two awards. The jury of around 40 international experts commended the series’ excellent design quality, and also awarded the range the prestigious design prize in the “Smart Products” meta-category, which was presented for the first time.

In a statement, the jury said: “The three AGV S2 / M3 and L1 transport robots were designed for complex logistics processes with both a high degree of precision and technological sophistication. [Read more…] about Safelog AGVs win numerous awards

BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

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The BMW Group is breaking new ground in the field of logistics as it founds warehouse robotics company IDEALworks – a fully-owned subsidiary headquartered in Munich. 

This marks the first time a major automotive brand is building and supplying what are often called autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) or automated guided vehicles (AGVs).

The aim is to become a leading supplier of autonomous robotics solutions in the logistics sector. The name “IDEAL” stands for Industry Driven Engineering for Autonomous Logistics. [Read more…] about BMW enters warehouse robotics market with launch of IdealWorks

DHL expands its global logistics operation to include outer space missions

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DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, normally moves goods that stay in the Earth’s atmosphere. Now they have partnered with D-Orbit, a specialized company covering the entire lifecycle of a space mission, including logistics services, for the first time.

Together with the company’s own innovation team DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation (CSI), the freight forwarding expert set up logistics to help the ION Satellite Carrier in its journey into space. Developed and designed by D-Orbit, the satellite carrier is planned to launch at Cape Canaveral, the world’s most famous space base in Florida in January 2021.

Tim Scharwath, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight, says: “We are excited about this partnership for two key reasons. First, D-Orbit shares our vision of reliable, safe and sustainable logistics to connect people and to improve lives. [Read more…] about DHL expands its global logistics operation to include outer space missions

Panasonic to apply industrial technology to solve society’s problems

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Panasonic says it aims to tackle the needs of smart societies – from healthcare to retail and logistics – with industrial technology. (See video below.)

The company says it will use its broad expertise in sensors as well as drives technology, and its technologies in industrial robots to meet the challenge.

Panasonic says its approach is based on “pragmatic solutions that work with people”, and this can be defined within three core pillars: augmented solutions, stand-alone solutions, and complete robotics automation solutions. [Read more…] about Panasonic to apply industrial technology to solve society’s problems