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inVia Robotics expands into Asia with Kantsu implementation

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Kantsu has selected inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, to supply autonomous mobile robots that automate fulfillment operations in its primary distribution center in Osaka, Japan.

inVia’s modular automation system, which includes a fleet of 200 autonomous mobile robots and AI-driven software, will modernize Kantsu’s e-commerce fulfillment process.

It will automate the picking process and allow warehouse workers to sort at rates of 800-900 units per hour per person, says inVia. [Read more…] about inVia Robotics expands into Asia with Kantsu implementation

ASTI Mobile Robotics and BOOS Technical Lighting develop a mobile robot to fight coronavirus

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ASTI Mobile Robotics and BOOS Technical Lighting have developed a mobile disinfection robot against coronavirus which uses the ultraviolet light to eliminate germs and pathogens in the air as well as on surfaces and objects.

The radiation emitted by the robot, which can move around the facilities to be disinfected, achieves a reduction in the viral and bacterial load of up to 99.99 percent, says the company.

ASTI says the exclusive design of the lamp, in terms of power, intensity and size combined with the continuous movement of the vehicle, favours proximity to the critical areas to be disinfected, as well as minimising shadow spaces and maximising disinfection on horizontal and vertical planes “in record time”. [Read more…] about ASTI Mobile Robotics and BOOS Technical Lighting develop a mobile robot to fight coronavirus

IAM Robotics wins contract with global health and beauty retailer

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IAM Robotics, makers of autonomous mobile manipulation robots, has won a contract with new client A.S. Watson Group, one of the world’s largest international health and beauty retailers with over 15,700 stores in 25 markets.

A.S. Watson will implement a fleet of Swift robots from IAM Robotics at its Benelux e-commerce fulfillment center in the Netherlands to help solve labour and capacity constraints due to a fast-growing, high-volume health and beauty retail business.

Ed van de Weerd, CEO of A.S. Watson health and beauty Benelux, says: “Our business in e-commerce is growing rapidly, and we need a way to keep up with the growth while offering next-day delivery within our existing fulfillment center, which is important for us to deliver the group’s online and offline strategy. [Read more…] about IAM Robotics wins contract with global health and beauty retailer

MSC Industrial Supply integrates systems from Plus One Robotics at fulfillment centers

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MSC Industrial Supply is integrating Plus One Robotics systems at its fulfillment centers.

MSC is a distributor of metalworking and maintenance repair and operations products and services for industrial customers throughout North America.

The company says the partnership with Plus One Robotics will “support and enhance the efficiency” of its customer fulfillment centers. [Read more…] about MSC Industrial Supply integrates systems from Plus One Robotics at fulfillment centers

Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics has launched a top module that enables the company’s omnidirectional warehouse robots to automatically load and unload payloads and connect to a variety of carts for material movement.

The module is called “Kingpin” and Waypoint says it enables its Vector robot – a 600 lb payload capacity AMR – to do two critical jobs with one simple top module, as opposed to having a dedicated fleet of lift deck robots for automatic load/unload, and another dedicated fleet of cart connecting robots for cart transport.

With Kingpin, Vector can automatically pick up a tote on one side of the factory, deliver it to the other side of the factory, and then connect to a cart on the way back to the starting point. [Read more…] about Waypoint launches Kingpin lift and hitch top module for its warehouse robots

MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

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MassRobotics has agreed a strategic partnership with private equity company Thomas H. Lee Partners.

The partnership aims to bring together their extensive market knowledge, expertise, and networks to advance the scaling of automation-related businesses across robotics and artificial intelligence startups.

Based in the Boston area, MassRobotics is one of the first and largest robotics startups escalator in the world. [Read more…] about MassRobotics agrees strategic partnership with Thomas H. Lee Partners

Locus Robotics raises $40 million in new Investment to bring total to $105 million

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Locus Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has raised more than $40 million in new investment.

The Series D funding was led by Zebra Ventures, the strategic investment arm of Zebra Technologies. Existing investors, including Scale Venture Partners, also participated in the round.

The new funding brings Locus Robotics’ total funding to more than $105 million. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics raises $40 million in new Investment to bring total to $105 million

Old Versus New Robotics: How Things Are Changing

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The history of robotics is a long one, with roots in ancient Egypt as far back as 1500 BC. While the “robots” of those days are far from being able to exhibit the intelligence of robots today, it is still worth mentioning.

However, the beginning of the evolution of modern robotics as we know it can be traced to France with the innovation of a robot duck. The duck could flap its wings, quack, and do some other basic duck-ly things.

And today, we have robots working in every sector of human society, making contributions in the smart and efficient manner that only robots can manage. [Read more…] about Old Versus New Robotics: How Things Are Changing

LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

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Electronics and household appliances giant LG is partnering with unicorn startup Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots.

The partnership will aim to produce mobile robots that can deliver food to people’s homes as well to the tables of customers at restaurants.

While LG is well known around the world, Woowa Brothers is a startup which achieved unicorn status – became worth more than $1 billion – when German company Delivery Hero acquired it for around $4 billion in January this year. [Read more…] about LG partners with Woowa Brothers to develop food delivery robots

Dishcraft Robotics raises $20 million in latest funding round to expand its dishwashing business

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Dishcraft Robotics, provider of a commercial dishwashing and dishware delivery service powered by artificial intelligence and robotics, has raised $20 million in Series A1 funding led by new investor Grit Ventures.

Returning investors First Round Capital, Baseline Ventures, Fuel Capital, and Lemnos also participated in the round. To date, Dishcraft has raised $46 million in venture funding.

Marc Randolph, co-founder and former CEO of Netflix, and Kelly Coyne, founder and partner at Grit Ventures, will join Dishcraft’s board of directors, joining other prominent board members including Steve Anderson, founder of Baseline Ventures. [Read more…] about Dishcraft Robotics raises $20 million in latest funding round to expand its dishwashing business