Robotics & Automation News

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Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

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Ahold Delhaize is expanding its micro-fulfillment capabilities as part of its omnichannel supply chain using warehouse automation technology from Swisslog and AutoStore.

Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, is the parent company for Ahold Delhaize’s US companies, including its local brands, which comprise:

  • Food Lion;
  • Giant Food;
  • The Giant Company;
  • Hannaford and Stop & Shop;
  • Retail Business Services, a US support services company providing services to the brands; and
  • Peapod Digital Labs, its digital, e-commerce and commercial engine.

When considered together, the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest grocery retail group in the nation, operating more than 2,000 stores and distribution centers across more than 20 states and serving millions of customers each week through a wide variety of store formats with thousands of food and non-food items. [Read more…] about Ahold Delhaize expands micro-fulfillment with Swisslog and AutoStore

GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

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General Motors will supply its Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes to truck-making giant Navistar for use in its production model fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) – the International RHTM Series.

Navistar’s FCEV will get energy from two GM Hydrotec fuel cell power cubes.

Each Hydrotec power cube contains 300-plus hydrogen fuel cells along with thermal and power management systems. [Read more…] about GM to supply Navistar with Hydrotec fuel cells for electric vehicles while Volvo and Scania highlight their own electrification initiatives

Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

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Over the last few years, as e-commerce sales have increased and customer expectations have shifted, there has been a steady race to move fulfillment closer to the customer.

Something once so innovative as two-day delivery has led to next-day delivery, which is quickly becoming obsolete as consumers demand same-day delivery.

This trend has accelerated during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially as more consumers become comfortable with online ordering of perishable items and groceries. One of the significant changes in supply chain strategies we are seeing as a result of this is the rise of fulfillment centers that bring fulfillment closer to the consumer. [Read more…] about Last mile: Micro-fulfillment centers bring supply chains to the consumer

Why Manufacturers Should Consider Using a Cloud-based MES Platform

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Traditional manufacturing execution systems are deployed on a single machine that might be networked to a handful of terminals inside of a machine shop.

While this made sense in an era before widespread Internet adoption, it’s hopelessly dated today. Few people have the technology needed to turn their smart devices into antique telnet clients, and there are even less who would want to.

Cloud-based technology is a much better alternative, but adoption has been surprisingly slow. That’s causing many industry sectors to play a dizzyingly fast game of catch-up. [Read more…] about Why Manufacturers Should Consider Using a Cloud-based MES Platform

Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

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Geek+, a provider of autonomous mobile robots and warehouse automation, and Universal Logic, a developer of a software “brain” for robots, have agreed a new partnership.

Together, the two technology leaders declare a joint commitment to support the manufacturing and logistics industry with a paradigm-shifting goods-to-robot solution, for automating supply chain operations and elevating industry 4.0.

With large parts of the supply chain dependent on fixed automation and manual materials handling, the rise in demand for customization and made-to-stock capabilities have resulted in strained processes. [Read more…] about Geek+ and Universal Logic partner to develop warehouse robotics and automation

Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

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Seegrid, a provider of autonomous mobile robots for material handling, says it doubled revenue year-over-year for the second year in a row.

Seegrid says its growth reflects increased demand from manufacturing, e-commerce, and logistics companies for automation solutions to address rising pressures on the supply chain, which were exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic and ever-evolving consumer demands.

Jim Rock, Seegrid’s CEO, says: “The incredible growth we recorded last year is a testament to our collective ability to adapt to changing environments – something that our customers can uniquely do when using our automation solutions. [Read more…] about Seegrid doubles revenues and sees ‘record adoption’ of its autonomous mobile robots

Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

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Wikifactory, an online collaboration platform for physical product design and development, has completed a “total upgrade” that it says will enable users the ability to make anything with nothing but a laptop and an internet connection.

Wikifactory says its new Collaborative CAD Tool with in-built chat will “transform the way products are made”, enabling designers, engineers, manufacturers and enterprise to collaborate remotely on virtually any CAD model, from concept through to finished prototype.

The new Collaborative CAD Tool allows product developers of all skill levels in virtually any industry to explore, review and discuss 3D models in over 30 file formats in real-time. [Read more…] about Wikifactory raises $4.5 million to expand its new design collaboration software

How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

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In today’s fast-paced, global marketplace, supply chain software can help improve your company’s efficiency and productivity.

You may find yourself needing to monitor and track multiple business functions and processes, but, sometimes, you can’t be there physically to oversee each aspect of your business. With this type of software, you can be sure that all of your business operations are being tracked and accounted for.

This can help you better plan and control how your business functions and allows you to make more informed decisions. In this article, you’ll learn in detail how supply chain software can benefit your business. Read on. [Read more…] about How Supply Chain Software Can Benefit Your Business

Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

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By Steve Richmond, director of logistics systems, Jungheinrich

New use cases for robotics are being identified almost daily. The rapid growth of e-commerce, fuelled in part by necessity from Covid-19 lockdowns, has meant that for many organisations, the requirements for staff and goods is growing at a rate too fast to meet demand – the need for automation is now greater than ever.

With technology advancing rapidly, almost anything can now be automated. And with intelligent navigation and precise picking technology, even items of an odd size, shape or material can be handled by robots.

As this technology becomes increasingly more sophisticated, enabling robots to perform roles with accuracy, consistency and safety front of mind, this has also advanced the ability for robots to communicate with other robots around the facility. [Read more…] about Robotics market sees accelerated growth amid e-commerce boom

SVT Robotics launches new SoftBot platform

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SVT Robotics, a software company, has launched its SoftBot Platform. The company says it allows companies to accelerate the implementation of robotics within their warehouses and manufacturing facilities “in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months or years”.

SVT says the SoftBot Platform launch makes it “an industry leader”, as they now provide the “only fully agnostic solution” for rapid integration between enterprise systems and industrial robotics and across automation technologies.

The innovative platform helps companies quickly adopt robotics into their manufacturing facilities or supply chains with fast, flexible and simple solutions that can easily be deployed without the need for custom code. [Read more…] about SVT Robotics launches new SoftBot platform