Robotics & Automation News

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Berkshire Grey to supply robotic systems to Bealls for its fulfillment operations

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Berkshire Grey, a maker of robotic solutions for warehouses, has been selected by Bealls, an apparel and home merchandise retailer, to automate its supply chain.

Berkshire Grey says its robotic automation systems will handle expanding merchandise categories and fulfill orders quicker for Bealls, and the AI-enabled systems will help increase the processing capacity and throughput needed to meet “surging customer demand”.

Headquartered in Bradenton, Florida since 1915, Bealls is a family-owned corporation that operates more than 525 retail stores nationwide. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey to supply robotic systems to Bealls for its fulfillment operations

Welding and automation integration company Central McGowan completes its third acquisition of the year

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Central McGowan, a supplier of gases and technology for manufacturing the upper Midwest and a Fanuc- and Lincoln-authorized integrator, has completed the acquisition of Preferred Welder Sales in Mankato, Minnesota – bringing its acquisition roster for 2021 to three. 

The company acquired Metro Welding Supply in Minneapolis, Minnesota. in April and Fessler Carbonic Gas in Des Moines, Iowa in March.

According to Joe Francis, president/CEO, these acquisitions complement Central McGowan’s current business while strengthening its presence in key market areas. All three of these companies were independently operated, highly successful businesses with owners seeking to retire and wanting a way to continue what they each started. [Read more…] about Welding and automation integration company Central McGowan completes its third acquisition of the year

Geek+ and DHL showcase ‘the future of robotics automation’ in DHL’s Asia Pacific Innovation Center

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Geek+, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, is partnering with DHL’s Asia Pacific Innovation Center. Located in Singapore, the center will be home to a new exhibit that showcases a cutting-edge, automated, and completely integrated e-commerce solution.

Named the “Warehouse of the Future”, the exhibit integrates RoboShuttle tote-picking robot and robot-arm technology for full-scale automation.

The project represents the shared values and commitments of both Geek+ and DHL to accelerate innovation and educate supply chain leaders on the opportunities that come with robotics automation. [Read more…] about Geek+ and DHL showcase ‘the future of robotics automation’ in DHL’s Asia Pacific Innovation Center

TotalEnergies and Amada Europe strengthen their partnership

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TotalEnergies, a global multi-energy production and supply company, and Amada Europe, a manufacturer of machine tools for the sheet metal industry, have signed a partnership for the supply of original equipment lubricants to Amada Europe’s plants as well as a range of Amada branded lubricants.

The partnership will last for five years and will cover 14 countries in Europe.

Since 2016, TotalEnergies’ Lubricants Department in France has already been supplying part of the original equipment oils to Amada’s main plant in Europe in Château-du-Loir. [Read more…] about TotalEnergies and Amada Europe strengthen their partnership

Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for fulfillment warehouses, has acquired Waypoint Robotics, a builder of omnidirectional mobile robots. Financial details were not disclosed.

Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics, says: “Locus is the proven leader in the development of highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimization.

“As order fulfillment and labor shortages continue to grow around the world, the acquisition of Waypoint Robotics will accelerate our ability to meet these global needs in just months rather than years, helping us drive the digital transformation of the warehouse.” [Read more…] about Locus Robotics acquires Waypoint Robotics

Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

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Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotics and automation systems for supply chain processes, has launched its AI-powered Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (RSPW) solution for e-commerce order fulfillment.

The RSPW is an automated put wall that increases capacity and throughput with robotic automation, which the company says is “more important than ever”, given today’s heightened customer expectations for fast and efficient fulfillment and the parallel industry pressure of labor scarcity.

Kevin Prouty, analyst at IDC, says: “Businesses will continue to see e-commerce orders rise as global e-commerce sales expect to approach $5 trillion by the end of 2021. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey launches ‘Robotic Shuttle Put Wall’

Warehouse robotics startup Hai Robotics raises $200 million in funding

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Hai Robotics, a Chinese warehouse robotics startup pioneering in autonomous case-handling robotics system, has secured two new continuous rounds of financing, generating more than $200 million in total.

The new money is to be invested in boosting Hai’s robot fleet with technological upgrades, expanding its global operation networks, optimizing its supply chain management and corporate structure as well as talent.

The C round funding was led by 5Y Capital with participation from Sequoia Capital China, Source Code Capital, VMS, Walden International and Scheme Capital. [Read more…] about Warehouse robotics startup Hai Robotics raises $200 million in funding

Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services

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Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, is partnering with Advanced Handling Systems, a system integrator of fulfillment and distribution solutions within the supply chain.

The partnership aims to help companies grow despite the labor shortages and logistics challenges that are straining the supply chain.

The two companies will combine their AI-enabled robotic automation and system design and integration services to deliver “next-generation warehouse robotics” to the world’s largest and best-known e-commerce and third party logistics providers. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey partners with AHS to develop warehouse robotics services

Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

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Nidec Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturer of drives, has agreed to start discussions on establishing a joint venture with Hon Hai Technology Group and Foxtron Vehicle Technologies.

The Hon Hai Technology Group in Taiwan has been the main manufacturer for Apple products in the past two decades.

Nidec signed a memorandum of understanding with Foxtron regarding its strategic alliance in the development of electric vehicle drive systems. [Read more…] about Nidec to establish joint venture with Hon Hai and Foxtron

Locus Robotics reaches half-a-billion units picked milestone

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Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for warehouses, says it has surpassed the half-a-billion-units-picked milestone. This new achievement was attained just 94 days after Locus reached their 400 million level.

Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics, says: “Reaching our half-billion pick milestone this quickly underscores the critical business value that Locus’s proven technology brings to our customers around the world as they face exploding order volumes and limited labor availability.

“As ecommerce volumes increase, the pace of picking with LocusBots is also increasing exponentially. Locus’s first 100-million milestone took 1,542 days while the most recent 100 million picks took just 94 days. [Read more…] about Locus Robotics reaches half-a-billion units picked milestone