Robotics & Automation News

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pallets

ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

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ABB has launched the “ABB Robotic Depalletizer”, a solution for handling complex depalletizing tasks in the logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, and consumer packaged goods industries.

Using machine vision software, ABB’s new solution can quickly assess a wide variety of box types, enabling customers to efficiently process assorted loads with very little engineering effort and short set-up time.

Marc Segura, ABB’s Robotics division president, says: “Changes in consumer behavior are leading to a rise in new sales channels such as omni-channel, direct to consumer and e-commerce. [Read more…] about ABB launches new robotic depalletizer to ‘reduce complexity and improve efficiency’

Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

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Matthew Cherewka, director of business development and strategy, Vecna Robotics

Advances in sensor and camera technologies have made robots more intelligent, allowing them to collaborate more with human workers instead of being isolated in cages or separate areas.

Known as co-bots (collaborative robots), this new form of robot can slow down or stop completely to prevent humans from getting injured, but they also enable companies to develop new human-robot workflows that automate previously manual methods.

In essence, they aim to focus on the “collaborative” aspect of the term, rather than the “robot”. [Read more…] about Did Someone Say Co-Bots? How Human-Robot Teamwork Will Upend Manufacturing

Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation

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Ouster, a provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, has signed a strategic customer agreement with Vecna Robotics, a material handling automation company and autonomous mobile robot maker.

The agreement includes a non-binding forecast for approximately 3,000 OS digital lidar sensors through 2025 as Vecna Robotics scales production to meet increasing customer demand for warehouse and logistics automation.

Vecna Robotics plans to fuse Ouster lidar into its multi-sensor autonomy stack to equip self-driving pallet trucks, tow tractors, and lift trucks for high-capacity material handling operations. [Read more…] about Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation

DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

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DHL Supply Chain has introduced its largest ever single implementation of autonomous forklifts to date, with 15 embedded in its warehouse operations at Tyrefort, United Kingdom.

The autonomous forklifts form part of DHL’s operation for a major customer in the automotive sector, taking over picking, put-away and replenishment of products and empty media in the warehouse. The vehicles reduce the number of manual pallet transfers without requiring significant changes in warehouse infrastructure.

The indoor robotics transporters work safely up to 11.5 metres high – believed to be a first in the logistics industry – easily reaching the highest warehousing racks to handle a range of pallets, stillages and waste cages. [Read more…] about DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

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Honeywell has unveiled its latest innovation in robotic technology designed to help warehouses and distribution centers automate the manual process of unloading pallets, reducing the operational risks of potential injuries and labor shortages.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff.

Driven by sophisticated machine learning and advances in perception and gripping technologies, Honeywell’s Smart Flexible Depalletizer minimizes the need for manual labor to break down pallet loads – roles that carry risk of injury to labor, experience high turnover and are currently difficult to staff. [Read more…] about Honeywell introduces new robotic technology to ‘help warehouses boost productivity, reduce injuries’

Mujin brings its ‘production-ready intelligent robotics solutions’ to US logistics companies

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Mujin, a Japanese industrial robotics company bringing machine intelligence to robots throughout Asia since 2011, has established US-based Mujin Corporation and has opened its first office in North America.

Located in Sandy Springs, north of Atlanta, the office will house the company’s expanding engineering, sales and support staff, including Mujin co-founder and Mujin Corp CEO Ross Diankov.

The office will serve as a hub for expanding the company’s multi-award-winning solutions into the US’s burgeoning logistics automation market. [Read more…] about Mujin brings its ‘production-ready intelligent robotics solutions’ to US logistics companies

Geek+ and WSR Solutions launch smart palletizing solution

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Geek+, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, has launched a new solution for “Smart Mixed Case palletizing”, co-developed with WSR Solutions, a provider of intelligent warehouse management tools.

The solution combines Geek+ autonomous mobile robots and WSR’s intelligent palletizing algorithm to help warehouse operators systematically handle the processing of multiple outbound orders in an efficient, safe, and flexible way.

Lit Fung, vice president of APAC, UK and the Americas at Geek+, says: “We are thrilled to work together with WSR Solutions to provide a tool that targets every aspect of the outbound logistics process, from how goods are stored and moved around the warehouse to how pallets are stacked, streamlining processes by eliminating the need for re-palletization, and optimizing overall space utilization.” [Read more…] about Geek+ and WSR Solutions launch smart palletizing solution

K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

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K.Hartwall has launched a new “autonomous mobile robot” called A-Mate. The company says this is the first fully electric free-lift pallet “AGV” with omnidirectional drive on the market. 

K.Hartwall calls its new machine an AGV as well as an AMR, which indicates the ongoing merging of the two technologies across the industry.

The company says the A-Mate is an extremely versatile mobile robot that will bring a new level of automation to intra-logistics, and to the movements of different load carriers, from pallets to roll containers and foldable cages or “gitter” boxes. [Read more…] about K.Hartwall launches new ‘autonomous mobile robot’

Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

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Fetch Robotics and Honeywell Intelligrated have partnered to launch a new “integrated pallet conveyance” solution for distributions centers.

Fetch Robotics says its new PalletTransport1500 is an autonomous mobile robot that supports cross-docking, returns and case picking workflows for contactless pallet transport in distribution centers.

The PalletTransport1500 will utilize Honeywell Intelligrated’s Momentum warehouse execution system software, known as Momentum WES, to safely move pallets and other large payloads up to 1136kg (2504 lbs). [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics and Honeywell launch new ‘integrated pallet conveyance’ solution

Realtime Robotics partners with Dematic to develop ‘new capabilities’ for mixed-case palletizing

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Realtime Robotics, a developer of autonomous motion planning systems for industrial robots, has agreed a partnership with Dematic, a global intralogistics company.

The use of Realtime’s advanced multi-robot coordination and spatial perception technology paired with Dematic’s automated palletizing software will vastly improve the accuracy, cycle time and stability of mixed case palletizing cells.

In the hyper-competitive logistics space, solution providers are being challenged to reduce cost and time to deploy all while continuing to increase key productivity metrics. [Read more…] about Realtime Robotics partners with Dematic to develop ‘new capabilities’ for mixed-case palletizing