Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

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Canadian Tire and NuPort Robotics to commercialize Canada’s first automated heavy duty trucks

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Canadian Tire Corporation and Toronto based start-up NuPort Robotics, Canada’s first autonomous trucking company, are partnering with the Ontario government to invest $3 million to undertake an automated heavy duty trucking project to test a “first-of-its-kind-in-the-world” technology. 

The breakthrough technology provides a transportation solution for the middle mile, the short-haul shuttle runs that semi-tractor trailers make between distribution centres, warehouses and terminals each day.

It is designed to enable next-generation automated trucks that are more fuel efficient, safer to operate, and provide an enhanced driver experience. [Read more…] about Canadian Tire and NuPort Robotics to commercialize Canada’s first automated heavy duty trucks

Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

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Over the last few years, as e-commerce sales have increased and customer expectations have shifted, there has been a steady race to move fulfillment closer to the customer.

Something once so innovative as two-day delivery has led to next-day delivery, which is quickly becoming obsolete as consumers demand same-day delivery.

This trend has accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as more consumers become comfortable with online ordering of perishable items and groceries. One of the significant changes in supply chain strategies we are seeing as a result of this is the rise of fulfillment centers that bring fulfillment closer to the consumer. [Read more…] about Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

XPO Logistics expands last mile service in Spain to meet increase in online orders of large products

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XPO Logistics, a leading global provider of transportation and logistics solutions has expanded its last mile service for bulky and heavy goods in Spain, as consumers turn to e-commerce.

The company makes an estimated 4,500 daily deliveries to all parts of Spain through its national last mile network, with the highest demand in the regions of Madrid, Barcelona, Andalucía and Levante.

XPO launched its last mile service in Spain in 2018, providing consistent, nationwide home deliveries through 60 distribution sites linked by cutting-edge technology. [Read more…] about XPO Logistics expands last mile service in Spain to meet increase in online orders of large products

Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

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Gatik, a Palo Alto-based startup developing autonomous vehicles for business to business short-haul logistics, has launched a new platform to serve the supply chain’s so-called middle mile – the autonomous box truck. (See video below.)

Gatik’s self-driving fleet of multi-temperature box trucks range in size between 11 and 20 feet long. This makes Gatik the first company to develop autonomous box trucks capable of delivering ambient, cold and frozen goods.

Retailers today face unprecedented challenges in the supply chain, and autonomous delivery vehicles address two of the essentials: safety and reliability. [Read more…] about Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

Cleveron delivery robot wins award

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Cleveron’s self-driving robot courier won the prestigious “Last Mile Delivery Innovation – The Journey” prize in the Parcel and Postal Technology International Awards 2019 at Parcel+Post Expo in Amsterdam.

This award recognizes companies who are leading the way in improving last mile delivery. Parcel and Postal Technology International is a recognised magazine in the postal technology sector and hosts the awards.

The nominated companies represent the most innovative companies in the post and parcel delivery market. [Read more…] about Cleveron delivery robot wins award

Deliver: Cost-effectively navigating the last mile is crucial to e-commerce growth

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The second and final day of the Deliver event has seen sponsors and attendees ask each other many questions about the future of e-commerce, or rather “e-logistics”.

And some of the most crucial questions concern the critical last mile of the journey a product makes before it reaches the customer’s door.

The answers appear to be many and varied, and involve new hardware and software, but there does seem to be a general feeling of consensus, even if the details of the technologies underpinning that consensus is yet to be fully articulated, let alone realised. [Read more…] about Deliver: Cost-effectively navigating the last mile is crucial to e-commerce growth

XPO Logistics expands XPO Connect into last mile

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XPO Logistics, the largest last-mile provider for heavy goods in North America, has announced the launch of extensive last mile capabilities on its XPO Connect digital freight marketplace.

The company’s last mile business unit specialises in the delivery of heavy goods, many of which require assembly and installation inside the home.

In 2018, XPO arranged approximately 40,000 last mile deliveries per day on average.

[Read more…] about XPO Logistics expands XPO Connect into last mile