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Coronavirus ‘exposes industry’s need to modernize operations’

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The coronavirus pandemic has “exposed industry’s need to modernize operations”, according to Hitachi.

The industrial giant made the assertion as it launched an expanded set of digital services through its Hitachi Vantara subsidiary to help manufacturers accelerate “Manufacturing 4.0 initiatives” and to assist with safely restarting production in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

For many manufacturers, the pandemic has not only affected worker health and safety, it has impacted demand, interrupted production, exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, and driven an urgent need to modernize operations. [Read more…] about Coronavirus ‘exposes industry’s need to modernize operations’

Ecentria Distribution Center installs inVia Robotics to increase e-commerce throughput and accuracy

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inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, says Ecentria has deployed its robotics-as-a-service system to automate order fulfillment in the Ecentria Distribution Center in Aurora, Illinois.

inVia’s integrated automation system, which includes a fleet of autonomous mobile robots and artificial intelligence-driven software, is now live in EDC, the primary distribution center supporting OpticsPlanet, an Ecentria company and a “Top 200 Online Retailer for more than 12 years”.

The system gives Ecentria a flexible robotics solution that can scale along with dynamic e-commerce order volumes. [Read more…] about Ecentria Distribution Center installs inVia Robotics to increase e-commerce throughput and accuracy

Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

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Fetch Robotics, a provider of warehouse robots, has agreed a collaboration with Zebra Technologies, a warehouse solutions specialist, to optimize and automate warehouse picking processes through the integration of Fetch autonomous mobile robots and Zebra FulfillmentEdge software.

The two companies say the unique solution optimizes picking across multiple orders for piece, case, and pallet workflows.

By dynamically optimizing and orchestrating the movement of warehouse workers and robots, FulfillmentEdge and Fetch AMRs enable collaborative picking for faster, more accurate fulfillment and improved workflows that allow workers to spend more time in the aisle instead of manually moving material throughout a facility. [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics launches integrated fulfillment solution with Zebra Technologies

DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

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DHL Supply Chain is installing 1,000 warehouse robots from Locus Robotics. The world’s largest logistics company will integrate the Locus robots at 10 of its US facilities in 2020.

DHL and Locus Robotics have an ongoing working relationship, but the new initiative significantly expands this partnership.

The companies have signed an “Expanded Multi-Site Services Agreement” outlining the terms. [Read more…] about DHL to install 1,000 new warehouse robots from Locus Robotics

Outrider launches with $53 million in funding to automate distribution yards

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Emerging from two years of stealth-mode operation, Outrider has announced it has raised $53 million in funding and deployed initial pilots of its Outrider System, the first-to-market solution focused on autonomous yard operations for logistics hubs.

The seed and series A funding rounds were led by NEA and 8VC, respectively.

The goal of distribution yards is to keep semi-trailers full of freight moving quickly in the space between the warehouse doors and public roads. [Read more…] about Outrider launches with $53 million in funding to automate distribution yards

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

Opinion: ‘Scale’ is the magic word for digital transformation in 2020

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By Keith Higgins, vice president of digital transformation for Rockwell Automation

In 2019, we saw a 400 percent growth in digital transformation projects moving through the post-implementation stage, according to a recent study by Rockwell Automation.

The maturation of digitization projects will continue throughout 2020, and with this trend, the industry will evolve from exploring the primary benefits of data-driven solutions to understanding how these projects can be used as a resource to help scale smart factory initiatives.

Digital transformation has reached its inflection point. As organizations move their initiatives from project roll-out to continuous process improvement in 2020, scaling becomes a key topic of conversation. [Read more…] about Opinion: ‘Scale’ is the magic word for digital transformation in 2020

Walmart integrates Alphabot into its warehouse operations

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Retail giant Walmart has integrated a warehouse automation system, Alphabot, into its operations after undertaking tests for almost a year. (See video below.)

Alphabot, technically an automated storage and retrieval system, was especially developed for Walmart by startup company Alert Innovation.

Walmart says the Alphabot system will “revolutionize the online grocery pickup and delivery process”. [Read more…] about Walmart integrates Alphabot into its warehouse operations