Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

supply

Honeywell opens advanced warehouse automation center in Czech Republic

by

Honeywell has opened a new research and development center at its advanced technology facility in Brno, a city in the Czech Republic, to help warehouse and logistics companies across Europe enhance their supply chains and strengthen the accuracy, efficiency and throughput of packages.

The state-of-the-art facility will be used by Honeywell’s engineers to develop next-generation warehouse solutions including intelligent conveyor systems, robotics, automatic storage and retrieval systems, sorting systems, palletisers and advanced picking technologies controlled by voice and light commands.

The facility will also enable Honeywell’s regional customer base to experience and train on these technologies for the first time in Europe. [Read more…] about Honeywell opens advanced warehouse automation center in Czech Republic

Qcells investing $2.5 billion in US solar power manufacturing facility

by

Qcells is building a solar power manufacturing facility in Georgia, US, with a historic investment of $2.5 billion.

This is believed to be the largest solar investment in US history and will offer significant benefits to the state and national economies.

Gray Construction, a specialist builder in the manufacturing industry, and Stantec, an expert in sustainable design, were selected to provide construction, architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing engineering, structural, civil engineering, as well as environmental, water, and wastewater services. [Read more…] about Qcells investing $2.5 billion in US solar power manufacturing facility

Deloitte unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ smart factory and warehouse in Canada

by

Deloitte Canada has opened what it says is a first-of-its-kind facility showcasing an interconnected ecosystem of more than 20 cutting-edge solutions and technologies and intent on transforming manufacturing and warehousing through digital transformation.

The facility has been named The Smart Factory @ Montreal.

Anthony Viel, CEO of Deloitte Canada, says: “As Canada’s largest professional services firm, we care about the future of the country. [Read more…] about Deloitte unveils ‘first-of-its-kind’ smart factory and warehouse in Canada

Mitsubishi Electric to invest $223 million to build new factory in India

by

Mitsubishi Electric says it will invest approximately 26.7 billion yen (about $222.5 million), in its subsidiary company Mitsubishi Electric India to establish a factory for the production of room air conditioners and compressors in India.

Local production, targeted to start in October 2025, is expected to help the company meet growing demand in the Indian market. Initial annual capacity will total 300,000 room air conditioner outdoor units and, beginning in December 2025, 650,000 compressors.

The demand to replace older air conditioning and refrigeration systems with newer models is expected to continue growing as consumers and companies shift to energy-saving and low-GWP refrigerants. [Read more…] about Mitsubishi Electric to invest $223 million to build new factory in India

Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions partnership

by

Berkshire Grey, a provider of AI-enabled robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, and logistics giant FedEx have expanded their strategic relationship.

As part of the expansion of this relationship, Berkshire Grey and FedEx have entered into an agreement for new development activities that will provide broader AI robotic automation capabilities to help improve the safety and efficiency of FedEx package handling operations globally.

The two companies also expect to execute a master system purchase agreement in 2022, which will streamline and expedite the procurement process for Berkshire Grey solutions across all FedEx operating companies globally. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey and FedEx expand their robotic automation solutions partnership

DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

by

DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, is now operating a fully-automated robot picking system at a logistics center in the Lower Saxon municipality of Staufenberg for an important long-time customer, Peek & Cloppenburg, an international chain of department stores from Germany.

The system, AutoStore, is made by robot specialist Element Logic and covers 6,000 square meters, making it one of the largest fully-automated storage and order fulfillment systems in Germany.

It’s located in one of the five halls at the location, each of which offers 10,000 square meters of space and 50 loading bays. DHL Supply Chain operates this massive logistics center for a range of customers. [Read more…] about DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

UPS and Gap units partner to offer ‘unmatched automation and supply chain capabilities’ to apparel merchants

by

Two business units from within logistics giant UPS and famous retail brand GAP are combining their expertise to offer “unmatched automation and supply chain capabilities” to apparel and footwear merchants.

The companies say their new offering will enable mall and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to benefit from capabilities “previously only available to billion-dollar brands”.

Ware2Go, a UPS company, is collaborating with Gap’s GPS Platform Services division that combines Gap’s global supply chain network, customer insights, technical, and digital capabilities with Ware2Go’s cutting-edge supply chain technology. [Read more…] about UPS and Gap units partner to offer ‘unmatched automation and supply chain capabilities’ to apparel merchants

DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

by

DHL Supply Chain, the world’s biggest logistics company and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has become the first company to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot developed for carton unloading of trucks.

The successful deployment of the robot comes just one year after DHL Supply Chain announced its $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

In the application, Stretch robots take packages from the back of trailers and place them on a flexible conveyor. [Read more…] about DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation

by

Berkshire Grey, a provider of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, and Locus Robotics, a builder of autonomous mobile robotics for logistics and distribution warehouses, have agreed a partnership with the unveiling of their combined solution that integrates the Berkshire Grey Robotic Shuttle Put Wall (BG RSPWi) with Locus Origin and Locus Vector bots.

This “innovative integrated solution” uses end-to-end robotic automation solutions for retail and e-commerce customers looking to maximize their supply chain productivity and throughput while addressing growing labor shortages.

Ongoing labor availability and inflation challenges continue to put growing pressures on supply chain and distribution frameworks. [Read more…] about Berkshire Grey and Locus Robotics combine to offer ‘industry-first’ cross-platform robotic automation

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines

by

Two senior executives from Bright Machines, a manufacturing automation company, give Robotics and Automation News their thoughts and forecasts for the year ahead.

The predictions offer insight on manufacturing trends, supply chain evolution, the future of automation, and more. [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: The future is bright machines