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DHL to invest $15 million on Boston Dynamics robots for supply chain operations

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DHL Supply Chain, the global and North American contract logistics business unit within Deutsche Post DHL Group, is making a $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

Boston dynamics is famous for making scary humanoid and canine robots but it has also become one of the leading developers of mobile robotics, and the robots it will supply DHL – which include an autonomous mobile robot with arm called “Stretch” (main picture) – will “further automate warehousing in North America”.

The companies have signed a multi-year agreement that begins with equipping DHL facilities with Stretch, Boston Dynamics’ newest robot specifically designed to automate the unloading process in distribution centers. [Read more…] about DHL to invest $15 million on Boston Dynamics robots for supply chain operations

Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

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Vecna Robotics, a provider of robotic material handling automation, has raised $65 million in its Series C funding round led by Tiger Global Management, along with additional funding from new investors Lineage Logistics, Proficio Capital Partners, and Impulse.

The new financing will help fund the company’s technology roadmap with new autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and software, and will accelerate fulfillment of new orders and expanded operations to address the $165 billion market opportunity for pallet-moving autonomy.

Craig Malloy, CEO of Vecna Robotics, says: “There is huge headroom for growth in automated material handling with over 5 billion pallets in the world being moved by more than 5 million forklifts and nearly 5 million manual operators. [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics raises $65 million in Series C funding

Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

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Exotec, a warehouse robotics startup, has raised $335 million in Series D funding, and is now valued at $2 billion.

The Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management led the round with follow-on investments from 83North and Dell Technologies Capital.

Exotec says it will use the funds to continue to launch large-scale deployments in North America, Europe, and Asia for global brands. [Read more…] about Exotec raises $335 million in Series D funding for its warehouse robots

Kivnon’s AGV ROI Calculation Starts on Product Delivery Date

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By Mike Kotzian, managing director, Kivnon USA

Modex 2022 in Atlanta March 28-31 will feature many AGV vendors who cannot deliver product this year. Too much emphasis has been placed on features, advantages, and benefits; too little attention has been paid to delivery dates.

AGV vendors must promise a delivery date with a guarantee not to exceed 180 days from purchase order to delivery. Failing to provide that commitment is unacceptable.

Solving the immediate challenges in production by delivering product by Q3 2022 and mitigating the hiring constraints plaguing industries must be the top priorities. The current state of the supply chain has exacerbated the situation. [Read more…] about Kivnon’s AGV ROI Calculation Starts on Product Delivery Date

Swisslog to deliver another AutoStore to Bring Parcels’ major venture in Copenhagen

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In early 2021, Swisslog signed a framework agreement with Bring Parcels for the supply of warehouse automation for the logistics company’s new fulfillment solution “Shelfless”.

A decision has now been made to build the fully automated fulfillment solution also in Køge outside Copenhagen.

It is now clear that Bring will build its third automated AutoStore facility, this time in Køge outside Copenhagen. The facility is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2023. The service already operates in Oslo and a facility is under construction in Stockholm. [Read more…] about Swisslog to deliver another AutoStore to Bring Parcels’ major venture in Copenhagen

Hai Robotics installs smart warehousing solution for European intralogistics company

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Hai Robotics, a hugely well-financed new warehouse automation company, has installed a range of smart warehousing solutions for a European intralogistics company called Voyatzoglou Systems.

Hai Robotics has implemented its Autonomous Case-handling Robotic (ACR) system – a new type of automated storage and retrieval system – for warehouse logistics as part of a “strategic partnership” with Greece’s market leader in intralogistics, Voyatzoglou.

The implementation is being described as a “joint effort to offer more smart warehousing solutions to the supply chain in Greece and the Balkan area”. [Read more…] about Hai Robotics installs smart warehousing solution for European intralogistics company

Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation

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Ouster, a provider of high-resolution digital lidar sensors, has signed a strategic customer agreement with Vecna Robotics, a material handling automation company and autonomous mobile robot maker.

The agreement includes a non-binding forecast for approximately 3,000 OS digital lidar sensors through 2025 as Vecna Robotics scales production to meet increasing customer demand for warehouse and logistics automation.

Vecna Robotics plans to fuse Ouster lidar into its multi-sensor autonomy stack to equip self-driving pallet trucks, tow tractors, and lift trucks for high-capacity material handling operations. [Read more…] about Ouster and Vecna Robotics partner to accelerate material handling automation

DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

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DHL Supply Chain has introduced its largest ever single implementation of autonomous forklifts to date, with 15 embedded in its warehouse operations at Tyrefort, United Kingdom.

The autonomous forklifts form part of DHL’s operation for a major customer in the automotive sector, taking over picking, put-away and replenishment of products and empty media in the warehouse. The vehicles reduce the number of manual pallet transfers without requiring significant changes in warehouse infrastructure.

The indoor robotics transporters work safely up to 11.5 metres high – believed to be a first in the logistics industry – easily reaching the highest warehousing racks to handle a range of pallets, stillages and waste cages. [Read more…] about DHL Supply Chain accelerates roll-out of autonomous forklifts with largest single implementation

Supply chain automation startup Symbotic valued at $5.5 billion

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Symbotic, a robotics and automation technology platform for the supply chain, and SVF Investment Corp 3, a special purpose acquisition company sponsored by an affiliate of SoftBank Investment Advisers, have agreed a definitive merger agreement expected to make Symbotic a public company listed on Nasdaq.

Upon completion of the merger, which is expected in the first half of 2022, the combined company will operate under the “Symbotic Inc” name and will trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol “SYM”.

Symbotic is a product movement technology platform that is adaptable to a wide range of use cases. The company says it has “rebuilt the traditional warehouse”, using a fleet of autonomous robots with artificial intelligence-enabled software, to create a “first of its kind” physical structure that can power a customer’s entire supply chain technology platform. [Read more…] about Supply chain automation startup Symbotic valued at $5.5 billion

Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling

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In the warehouse, robots aren’t replacing workers. They’re playing a vital role in keeping the supply chain from completely toppling, says Mike Futch, CEO of Tompkins Robotics

What do robotics look like in the modern world of warehousing and distribution?

If you’re like many, you might envision a large, heavy, steel system that’s bolted to the floor, with an arm twirling in a repetitive motion performing some task of sorting or tagging. The machine is stationary. It stays in one spot, performing the same function, day after day.

Let me tell you: That’s your grandad’s robotics. Today, the supply chain relies on a growing fleet of small, automated robots that are portable, scalable and modular. They’re also configurable, so their jobs can change as needed by their users, whether it’s warehouses and distributors, retailers, manufacturers, third-party logistics providers, freight shippers and so on. [Read more…] about Opinion: Warehouse robots are playing a vital role in keeping supply chains from completely toppling