Robotics & Automation News

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material handling automation

Should You Lease or Finance Warehouse Automation Equipment?

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The pressure on modern supply chains is higher than it’s ever been. As consumer expectations shift toward lightning-fast delivery times and flawless order accuracy, warehouse operators are realizing that traditional, manual picking, packing, and sorting processes simply can’t keep pace.

Upgrading your facility with advanced automation equipment, whether that means automated guided vehicles, smart conveyor systems, or robotic sorting arms, has moved from a luxury to an absolute necessity for survival.

To compete in today’s landscape, you’ve got to find ways to squeeze maximum efficiency out of every square foot of your fulfillment space. [Read more…] about Should You Lease or Finance Warehouse Automation Equipment?

Symbotic surpasses 2 billion cases processed as demand for physical AI accelerates

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Symbotic, a provider of AI-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, has announced a number of key 2025 operating milestones that reflect accelerating adoption and strong customer outcomes as the company continues to scale its physical AI platform across production environments.

In 2025, Symbotic’s autonomous mobile robots collectively traveled more than 200 million miles – activity that ranks the bots among the most traveled autonomous vehicle fleets in the world.

Symbotic’s operational systems processed 2.23 billion cases for its customers, inbound and outbound. [Read more…] about Symbotic surpasses 2 billion cases processed as demand for physical AI accelerates

Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

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When robotic cells must handle a range of variable products within the same machine, mixed-product environments often require repeated programming, application-specific integration, and expensive 3D camera setups. These demands can slow deployment, increase integration cost, and make it difficult to scale automation across operations.

To address these challenges, Festo introduces GripperAI, a universal AI-based software that enables robots to handle a range of items without custom programming. The software operates locally at the cell on a standard industrial PC with a connected 3D camera and automatically adjusts for mixed products without programming or template loading between SKUs.

Deploying GripperAI involves standard integration steps: mounting and aligning the camera, verifying usable lighting, calibrating the robot base to the camera’s frame, and configuring the software’s pick parameters. [Read more…] about Festo introduces AI-based gripper for mixed-product robotic handling

Manufacturing with robot cells and machine tending solutions

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Robot cells and machine tending solutions are transforming manufacturing by driving higher efficiency and adaptability in production lines.

These technologies play a significant role in Modern manufacturing environments, supporting seamless automation across industries.

Their adoption addresses longstanding challenges, streamlining processes and elevating quality standards throughout manufacturing operations. [Read more…] about Manufacturing with robot cells and machine tending solutions

Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities

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Autonomous mobile robot developer Seegrid says its fleet has surpassed 20 million autonomous miles driven across customer production environments, marking a major milestone for the company’s operations in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics.

The company says the total distance travelled by its autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) is equivalent to circling the Earth more than 800 times, with all miles logged inside active industrial facilities rather than controlled test environments.

Seegrid’s systems are deployed in large-scale production operations, including automotive manufacturing plants and warehouse environments operating around the clock. [Read more…] about Seegrid surpasses 20 million autonomous miles in industrial facilities

How Robotics Technology Has Improved Pallet Trucks

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Modern pallet trucks have evolved far beyond the manually operated tools they once were. Robotics technology has transformed these machines into autonomous, intelligent material handling vehicles – commonly known as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).

Robotic technology is reshaping warehouse operations, integrating sophisticated sensors, navigation systems and AI – enabling these machines to manoeuvre, detect and pick pallets without any human intervention.

These modern machines use software and sensors to navigate warehouses independently, significantly improving both the efficiency and safety of warehouse operations. As adoption continues to grow across the logistics sector, understanding what drives this shift is increasingly relevant for businesses looking to stay competitive.

How Advanced Navigation and Mapping Are Streamlining Operations

Modern automated pallet trucks use Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping (SLAM) technology – incorporating Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and 3D cameras – to build real-time maps of their environment. This means they can navigate complex warehouse layouts without relying on floor-embedded wire or magnetic tape for guidance.

Unlike older AGVs, robotics-enhanced pallet trucks do not stop when faced with an obstacle. Dynamic rerouting software enables them to detect obstructions in advance and calculate an alternative path without interrupting their workflow.

This capability alone represents a significant leap forward compared to earlier generations of automated handling equipment, which required costly infrastructure changes whenever a warehouse layout was modified.

The increased flexibility offered by modern AGVs means they can be easily reprogrammed to adapt to changes in warehouse automation layouts, making them far more adaptable than traditional conveyor-based systems.

How Modern Pallet Trucks Improve Operational Efficiency and Productivity

The advanced software incorporated into these pallet trucks enables them to carry out operations with greater precision and speed than manual alternatives. Autonomous pallet jacks consistently outperform manual operators in throughput, not only by moving faster, but by eliminating downtime caused by breaks, shift changes and fatigue.

Introducing automated pallet trucks into warehouse operations drives measurable gains in throughput. Robotic pallet trucks can also work continuously without breaks, fatigue or shift limitations – delivering a more consistent output around the clock.

Using built-in AI-based 3D vision, AGVs can detect both the position and orientation of a pallet to align and lift with precision, even when pallets have not been placed perfectly. The robotic arms integrated into these trucks can detect, pick and stack pallets with millimetre accuracy, reducing the risk of product damage.

When battery levels run low, these trucks autonomously return to the charging station, ensuring they are fully charged ahead of the next shift.

Features of AGVs That Increase Safety and Accident Prevention

Fatigue is one of the most common causes of warehouse accidents, particularly during long night shifts. Since AGVs are battery-powered and equipped with autonomous recharging capabilities, they eliminate the risks associated with human fatigue over extended working periods.

Improved Ergonomics

By handling heavy and repetitive lifting tasks, these pallet trucks also remove the risk of associated injuries. Pallet lifting has been linked to Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs), which result from the repetitive strain caused by manually moving heavy loads.

These can include conditions such as:

  • Herniated discs
  • Lumbar strain
  • Sciatica
  • Tendinitis
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

Such injuries can cause severe pain and extended absences from work. The implementation of automated pallet trucks mitigates these risks and supports long-term occupational health for workers in the industry.

Collision Avoidance

Robotic pallet trucks are equipped with 360-degree sensors and cameras that provide full situational awareness. They are also designed to stop immediately upon detecting any obstacle, greatly reducing the likelihood of collisions.

The robotic system calculates weight load and speed to determine the exact stopping distance required for a safe halt. In environments where human workers and automated vehicles share the same floor space, this level of precision is essential for maintaining a safe working environment.

Incorporating robotic pallet trucks into warehouse operations significantly reduces the risk of workplace injuries and collisions – protecting goods, reducing downtime and supporting the long-term health of the workforce.

Automated Technology is Redefining Productivity

Robotic technology has delivered clear benefits to those working in manufacturing and logistics. Warehouses have long been hazardous environments, but the inclusion of AGVs offers a meaningful improvement in both safety and accident prevention.

The ability to operate continuously without breaks makes these machines a practical solution for boosting operational efficiency. Automated pallet trucks can help address labour shortages, reduce operational costs and increase flexibility in fast-paced, high-volume warehouse environments.

Whether managing a single-site distribution centre or a multi-facility network, the operational case for AGV integration is clear.

Logistics company Evri set to trial autonomous guided vehicles in its Rugby, UK hub

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Evri Group is looking to lead the way in innovation and automation as “the UK’s premier parcel delivery company” and has taken the next step on its robotics journey as it has announced it is trialling two automated guided vehicles (AGVs) at its Rugby hub, marking the first step in what Evri is calling “under the roof” robotics.

Currently, Evri has workers moving cages or pallets with cardboard in from one end of the hub to another all day, every day.

The introduction of these robotic vehicles means they can pick up the load, and as a growing business, investing in robotics like this allows existing workers to be redistributed to more productive and meaningful tasks to meet the growing demands of increased parcel volumes as well as being upskilled to become robot handlers. [Read more…] about Logistics company Evri set to trial autonomous guided vehicles in its Rugby, UK hub

Vecna Robotics adds voice control to case picking automation with CaseFlow Voice

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of flexible material handling automation, has announced CaseFlow Voice, which the company says is the only case picking automation solution with fully integrated voice technology.

CaseFlow Voice embeds Lucas Systems’ “Jennifer” voice capabilities directly into case picking workflows, enabling hands-free operations that improve worker productivity and accuracy while helping warehouses achieve up to 2x throughput improvements.

CaseFlow Voice addresses a critical challenge in operations like cold storage, where gloves, condensation, and limited dexterity make screens and scanners difficult to use. By supporting both voice and handheld interfaces, CaseFlow adapts to a wider range of warehouse conditions while maintaining ease of use and performance. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics adds voice control to case picking automation with CaseFlow Voice

From transport to handling: Neura demonstrates end-to-end mobile manipulation for intralogistics

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Neura Mobile Robots has presented an application for mobile manipulation in intralogistics for the first time at LogiMAT. Under its ek Robotics brand, Neura demonstrated how mobile transport robotics and cognitive robotics can be combined into a seamless system, enabling a new level of automation.

At the heart of the application is the combination of the X Move 1200 automated guided vehicle platform from Neura Mobile Robots and the MAiRA M cognitive cobot from Neura Robotics. The integrated solution makes it possible not only to transport materials, but also to directly grasp, retrieve, and store or retrieve them.

For the first time, users can fully automate transport and handling processes without manual handovers. This reduces process times, lowers error rates, and significantly increases system availability. [Read more…] about From transport to handling: Neura demonstrates end-to-end mobile manipulation for intralogistics

Cyngn installs its DriveMod tugger at WEG Electric Motor facility

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WEG Electric Motor’s Bluffton, Indiana facility is now using Cyngn’s DriveMod Tugger autonomous robot to automate material transport between machining and warehouse areas.

The deployment will handle up to 60 pallets per day, freeing up skilled labor and forklifts to focus on higher-value production tasks.

Cyngn has announced a commercial contract to deploy its DriveMod Tugger at a WEG manufacturing facility in Bluffton, Indiana. The deployment will support WEG’s efforts to reallocate forklift labor from routine material transport to higher-value production and warehouse tasks. [Read more…] about Cyngn installs its DriveMod tugger at WEG Electric Motor facility