Robotics & Automation News

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4 Real-World Examples of Warehouse Automation to Spark Your Inspiration

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By Will Schneider, founder, InsightQuote

Companies around the world are investing in advanced automation systems. One goal behind the trend is streamlining their daily operations – these systems improve workplace safety, efficiency, and reduce overall operation costs.

When it comes to warehouse companies, they use automated systems to scale their operations according to fluctuating market demands, to sustain round-the-clock operations, and so on.

The technology behind these systems is advancing on an almost daily basis. This is leading companies to integrate more and more advanced digital solutions into their existing warehouse operations. [Read more…] about 4 Real-World Examples of Warehouse Automation to Spark Your Inspiration

ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

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Astrocast, a global nanosatellite IoT network operator, and ArrowSpot has signed a multi-million-dollar contract to start mass production of ArrowSpot’s ArrowTrack SAT device.

The contract between Astrocast and ArrowSpot includes hardware integration and Satellite IoT (SatIoT) connectivity for an initial three-year period.

For context, ArrowSpot’s technology solutions provide the worldwide supply chain logistics industry with online information for safe & secure sensitive chilled cargo and high value cargo. Clients working with ArrowSpot include ZIM Shipping Line and Oceanex Inc. intermodal transportation services. [Read more…] about ArrowSpot signs multi-million-dollar deal with Astrocast to mass produce satellite tracking system

Arrow partners with Recom to identify ‘optimal power supply solution’ for robots

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Automating industrial processes using robots has typically been the preserve of large companies that have the resources to make the investment and see the project through to completion.

Robco – the Robot Company – is now making the benefits of advanced automation more easily accessible for small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with its new approach to building industrial robots.

Constantin Dresel, Robco’s head of development, says: “We want to redefine automation in SMEs with our powerful modular construction kit. This concept allows us to very quickly deliver a customised solution that can be ready to use immediately without any complex programming or reliance on specialised skills.” [Read more…] about Arrow partners with Recom to identify ‘optimal power supply solution’ for robots

Attabotics secures $72 million to automate legacy fulfillment centers

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Attabotics, a robotics-led supply chain company, has raised $71.7 million in Series C-1 funding led by Export Development Canada (EDC) with participation from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers’) through Teachers’ Venture Growth (TVG).

The round brings Attabotics’ total funding to $165.1 million to date and will be used to further accelerate the commercialization of its 3D robotics warehousing solution in the wake of growing post-Covid-19 demand.

Attabotics is the world’s first supply chain solution for modern commerce. The company’s all-in-one automated fulfillment system condenses a typical warehouse by creating a single, vertical storage structure. [Read more…] about Attabotics secures $72 million to automate legacy fulfillment centers

Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

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Networking giant Nokia has agreed a collaboration with Flex Brazil to deploy 5G SA private wireless networks in its manufacturing facilities in Brazil.

Initial use cases will focus at increasing wireless applications and exploring the potential of 5G for reliable connectivity, massive transfers of operational data and greater layout flexibility on the shopfloor.

Nokia Digital Automation Cloud (Nokia DAC) will provide the private wireless on-demand service as well as MX Industrial Edge computing and digital-enabling applications. [Read more…] about Nokia and Flex to combine 5G SA private wireless and Industry 4.0 expertise for advanced manufacturing solutions in Brazil

United Natural Foods brings in robots from Symbotic to automate warehouse

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United Natural Foods has entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s AI-powered robotics and software automation in five of UNFI’s distribution centers over the next four years.

Under the agreement, UNFI also has an option to implement Symbotic’s warehouse automation systems in additional distribution centers.

Symbotic’s end-to-end automation system, with robotic case pick capabilities, is designed to enable UNFI to transform its distribution centers to enhance capabilities and efficiency, improve order accuracy for its customers, increase storage capacity within its facilities, and facilitate planned future growth. [Read more…] about United Natural Foods brings in robots from Symbotic to automate warehouse

Formic supplies 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system

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Formic, a supplier of automation technology on a pay-as-you-go basis, has supplied 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system.

Located in St Charles, Illinois, Compact faced challenges of a shrinking labor pool, high worker turnover, and supply and wage inflation; struggled to meet the increasing demands of the Fortune 500 companies it serves.

Formic’s robots-as-a-service model activated a cobot within hours of delivery, cut costs on hiring and re-training temporary workers, and enhanced safety. [Read more…] about Formic supplies 58-year-old family-run factory Compact Industries with its first robotic system

Generation gap is ‘leading cause’ of labor shortage in warehouses, says Berkshire Grey report

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The majority of chief supply chain officers say that the generation gap is “leading cause of the labor shortage in warehouses”, according to research conducted by Berkshire Grey.

Berkshire Grey, a developer of robotic solutions that automate supply chain processes, made the revelation in its 2022 State of Retail & eCommerce Fulfillment Report.

The research, conducted in partnership with Hanover Research, surveyed chief supply chain officers at retail and ecommerce businesses on topics including labor issues, costs, pain points, automation and predicted areas of industry growth to uncover how organizations are meeting increasing consumer demands in today’s always-on retail world. [Read more…] about Generation gap is ‘leading cause’ of labor shortage in warehouses, says Berkshire Grey report

Kuehne+Nagel shows off solar-powered delivery trucks

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As part of the goal to create more sustainable supply chain solutions, Kuehne+Nagel is reducing CO2 emissions in the Netherlands with photovoltaics – solar panels – installed on top of trucks.

The solar panels reduce fuel consumption by up to 1.200 litres per year, per vehicle. This reduces a truck’s overall fuel consumption by up to 6 percent, lowering CO2 emission per truck by 3.8 tonnes on an annual basis.

Traditionally, trucks consume a large amount of electricity which is generated by the alternator. The photovoltaics now supply the trucks with solar electricity. When driving, there is a decreased load on the engine which lowers fuel consumption. [Read more…] about Kuehne+Nagel shows off solar-powered delivery trucks