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Mercedes expands development of autonomous commercial vehicle systems

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From project to product: With AXYARD, Lab1886 and Daimler Trucks automate the operation of commercial vehicles

The automated snow removal by two self-driving Mercedes-Benz Arocs in Immendingen shows a successful application for automated commercial vehicles in closed areas.

The joint project of Lab1886, the innovation unit for new business models within Mercedes-Benz AG, and Daimler Trucks, the inventor of the truck, has now become a product that can be used as a solution for various customer requirements in sectors such as on-site logistics and agriculture.

Lab1886 and Daimler Trucks, together with Fraport, demonstrated the operation of self-driving snow-clearing vehicles in non-public closed areas for the first time in October 2017 as part of a pilot project on the site of the former Pferdsfeld air base. [Read more…] about Mercedes expands development of autonomous commercial vehicle systems

Nike integrates robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse

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Nike, the world’s largest sportswear company, has integrated robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse. (See video below.)

Geek+, a provider of smart logistics solutions, has powered same-day delivery for Nike in Japan, providing advanced robotics solutions to Nike’s new distribution center in Chiba.

The installation uses more than 200 robots from Geek+’s goods-to-person P series robot range. [Read more…] about Nike integrates robots from Geek+ into its Japan warehouse

Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses

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Okamura is to integrate solutions from RightHand Robotics into its warehouses to further automate operations. 

RHR’s autonomous piece-picking solution, RightPick2, will be integrated with Okamura’s logistics solutions, such as AutoStore, beginning this month.

Okamura is one of Japan’s leading providers of high quality products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centers. [Read more…] about Okamura to integrate RightHand Robotics’ piece-picking solution in its warehouses

Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

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Porsche Cars Canada has selected DB Schenker to operate its new Mississauga, Ontario parts distribution centre.

Expected to ship about 282,000 orders during its first year in operation, the new facility joins two other DB Schenker-Porsche parts distribution centres that are already operating in China and Korea.

Known for making some of the world’s best-known sports cars, sedans, and SUVs, Porsche Cars Canada, has selected DB Schenker Canada to operate its new parts distribution centre in Mississauga, Ontario. [Read more…] about Porsche selects DB Schenker to operate Canada distribution centre

Amazon now has 200,000 robots working in its warehouses

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Online retail giant Amazon now has 200,000 robots in operation within its warehouses in the US, according to a report published by Associated Press.

The article, written by Matt O’Brien, doesn’t say where it got the figure, but it could be inferred from the rest of the article that it was provided by Amazon itself.

Amazon first became interested in warehouse robots in a big way when it bought Kiva Systems for $775 million, in 2012. [Read more…] about Amazon now has 200,000 robots working in its warehouses

Fanuc invests in Soft Robotics as startup raises $23 million in oversubscribed funding round

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Soft Robotics has raised $23 million in an oversubscribed Series B funding round.

The round was co-led by Calibrate Ventures and Material Impact and includes additional existing investors Honeywell, Hyperplane, Scale, Tekfen Ventures, and Yamaha.

With this round Soft Robotics also adds Fanuc, the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturer, as a new investor. [Read more…] about Fanuc invests in Soft Robotics as startup raises $23 million in oversubscribed funding round

SSI Schaefer implements logistics center for Misumi

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Misumi, a global manufacturer and provider of mechanical components and indirect materials for special machine construction and assembly automation, has commissioned SSI Schaefer to implement a new logistics center in Frankfurt / Main.

The distribution center will be built in several stages and have a capacity for 450,000 items on more than 10,000 sq m of storage area.

Core elements of the system are an automated shuttle warehouse, a four-storied rack system, ergonomic work stations connected via a conveying system and the logistics software Wamas. [Read more…] about SSI Schaefer implements logistics center for Misumi

Locus Robotics agrees reseller partnership with HighJump

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Warehouse automation company Locus Robotics has agreed a partnership with HighJump, a global provider for supply chain solutions.

Locus and HighJump will work together to facilitate the development of integration tools that will allow for faster, seamless implementations to improve productivity and efficiency for shared retail and third-party logistics (3PL) customers.

The partnership also makes HighJump a licensed reseller of Locus’s autonomous, multi-robot solution for warehouse fulfillment. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics agrees reseller partnership with HighJump

Broman Group selects Swisslog as its automation partner

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Automotive parts supplier Broman Group has appointed Swisslog to provide automation at its Logistics center in Kerava, Finland.

The new contract includes upgrading existing automation, the design and delivey of new automation, and also a SynQ, Swisslog’s warehouse management system, to orchestrate the entire warehouse solution.

The logistics center will be rolled out using a phased approach, with the first go-live in early 2020. [Read more…] about Broman Group selects Swisslog as its automation partner

Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract

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Logistics and supply chain technology startup Plus Automation has won its first robotics-as-a-service contract with Jun Co, a Japanese company with diversified interests including fashion, food and fitness products. 

The company was jointly established in June 2019 and is 60 per cent owned by Mitsui, a Japanese conglomerate, and GLP Japan, said to be the largest Japanese logistics company but also has real estate and other interests.

The contract between Plus and Jun consists of a standard annual subscription together with the option to add robots when cargo volumes increase, making it “a highly convenient service package”, says Plus. [Read more…] about Plus Automation wins its first robotics-as-a-service contract