Robotics & Automation News

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Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

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For the third-straight quarter, robot sales in North America hit a record high, driven by a resurgence in sales to automotive companies and an ongoing need to manage increasing demand to automate logistics for e-commerce.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), of the 12,305 robots sold in Q2 2022, 59 percent of the orders came from the automotive industry with the remaining orders from non-automotive companies largely in the food and consumer goods industry, which saw a 13 percent increase in unit orders over the same period, April through June, in 2021.

Jeff Burnstein, A3 President, says: “While automotive entities have long been the frontrunner in deploying robotics and automation, the last few years have seen food & consumer goods, life sciences and other industries grow at even higher rates. [Read more…] about Robot sales reach record high in North America for third consecutive quarter

Scythe Robotics receives 7,000 orders for its autonomous law mowers

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Scythe Robotics has received 7,000 orders for its autonomous law mowers, according to a report The Denver Post website.

The startup company says it plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Colorado to be able to handle the orders, adding that its mowers have received strong interest from all across the United States.

Scythe Robotics specializes in building commercial-grade autonomous robotic solutions for the landscaping industry, and its first offering is an all-electric, fully autonomous mower, designed completely in-house. [Read more…] about Scythe Robotics receives 7,000 orders for its autonomous law mowers

Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

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Kuka, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of industrial robots, says it has achieved “record orders” in the first six months of 2022.

At €2,545.4 million, the value of Kuka Group’s orders received in the first half of the year was 34.8 percent higher than in the previous year, and sales revenues increased by 13.5 percent to around €1.7 billion.

In addition, Kuka improved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) to €48.6 million (H1/21: €33.8 million). The EBIT margin increased to 2.8 percent in the first half-year 2022. [Read more…] about Kuka receives ‘record orders’ in first six months of year

Eyewear retailer brings in robot from Osaro to keep up with e-commerce orders

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Osaro, a developer of advanced robotics for e-commerce, has partnered with Zenni, an online eyewear retailer, to automate the “last meter” of Zenni’s fulfillment center in Novato, California.

Three Osaro Robotic Bagging Systems will take on the responsibility of readying eyewear orders for shipment to US customers.

The implementation is also an industry first. This is the first time a robot will be assigned the responsibility of working with an automated mechanical bagging system to ensure a customer’s unique order is placed into the correct bag for shipment. [Read more…] about Eyewear retailer brings in robot from Osaro to keep up with e-commerce orders

Geek+ reinforces goods-to-person safety and efficiency with new picking station

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Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, has upgraded its flagship goods-to-person system with a new picking station compatible with P-series robots carrying mobile shelves and racks.

Kai Liu, Geek+ co-founder and head of smart warehouses, says: “We want to make picking operations safer and less strenuous for warehouse employees. Our robots are there to not only increase efficiency, but also to improve the working environment for operators.”

Geek+’s new picking station includes several improved elements: a wrist-worn scanner that eliminates the need for excess walking; a stepladder that locks in place, reducing the danger of falling; and a projector that instantly indicates where goods are to be placed and taken. [Read more…] about Geek+ reinforces goods-to-person safety and efficiency with new picking station

Hyphen raises $24 million to commercialise automated kitchen system

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Hyphen, an automation company that uses software and robotics to help improve efficiency and consistency in commercial kitchens, has raised $24 million in Series A financing led by Tiger Global, with participation from Steve Fredette, the co-founder and president of Toast, Inc.

Existing investors who also participated in this oversubscribed round include Marc Rowan, co-founder and CEO of Apollo Global Management; Donald Moore, former chief culinary officer and EVP at The Cheesecake Factory; and more.

Hyphen has raised $34.4 million to date and will use the funds to build out their factory, expand into new markets, invest in research and dvelopment for next-generation products, and deploy with customers across the United States. [Read more…] about Hyphen raises $24 million to commercialise automated kitchen system

GreyOrange launches gStore retail stock management app

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GreyOrange, a warehouse robotics and automation company, has launched a new app for retail stock management.

The mobile-first software-as-a-service app “transforms stores into tech-enabled, personalized experience hubs and centers for online fulfillment using in-store inventory”, claims GreyOrange.

Retailers know they need to harmonize digital and physical experiences in their stores, but have struggled to find a fast and easy way to do so. [Read more…] about GreyOrange launches gStore retail stock management app

Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

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Berkshire Grey has launched a range of Robotic Pick and Pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment.

Berkshire Grey RPP solutions automate picking and packing of items directly from inventory totes to outbound customer shipping packages.

This solution improves operational efficiency for fulfillment centers, reduces shipping costs and lowers the environmental impact of eCommerce orders. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey unveils robotic pick and pack solutions for e-commerce fulfillment

6 Ways Restaurant Technology is Automating and Optimizing Operations

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With the increase in competition and advancement in restaurant technology, businesses have to automate their operations to meet the ever-changing customer demands.

Restaurant technology speeds up processes, optimizes operations, increases customer satisfaction, and provides a cost-effective way to run the organization.

Read on for six ways restaurant technology is automating and optimizing operations. [Read more…] about 6 Ways Restaurant Technology is Automating and Optimizing Operations

Yandex partners with Majid Al Futtaim to bring autonomous robot delivery to Dubai

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Yandex Self-Driving Group has signed an agreement with Majid Al Futtaim Retail – a shopping mall, communities, retail, and leisure company with interests across the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia – to enhance Carrefour’s last-mile delivery capabilities via autonomous technology solutions.

The partnership will make Carrefour the first omnichannel retailer in the region to use self-driving robots to deliver orders.

Carrefour customers in selected neighborhoods across the UAE will be able to receive their online orders via Yandex autonomous delivery robots, as part of a pilot program set to launch in early 2022. [Read more…] about Yandex partners with Majid Al Futtaim to bring autonomous robot delivery to Dubai