Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

warehouse robots

30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

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It took a while to get going, but after many years of relatively slow progress, now, the market for logistics and supply chain robotics and automation is in good flow. 

A significant number of companies have developed systems for automating warehouse operations – both in the area of software and hardware.

But while Amazon has taken the lead in warehouse automation by building its massive logistics operation around the Kiva Systems robots it acquired, other companies are catching up.  [Read more…] about 30 automation solutions for warehouses and supply chain operations

MiR launches warehouse robot for heavy lifting

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Mobile Industrial Robots has launched a new autonomous mobile robotic platform for heavy lifting. 

MiR already has two other similar products, called the MiR 100 and the MiR 200, with the number indicating how many kilograms it can carry.

The new one (main picture) is called the MiR 500, which means it can carry 500 kg, obviously.  [Read more…] about MiR launches warehouse robot for heavy lifting

Geek Plus boss says customer demand led company to go global

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The senior executive responsible for the global operations of Geek Plus, the warehouse robotics and automation technology provider, says customer demand led the company to go global. 

Speaking to Robotics and Automation News at the recent e-commerce and logistics event, Deliver, Fung said the startup receives customer enquiries every day from all over the world.

Lit Fung, general manager of Geek Plus, said: “From 2016 to 2018, Geek Plus has delivered nearly 4,000 units of our self-driving intelligent robotics systems to more than 55 clients from various industries, including giants like Alibaba, Suning, China Post, and also customers from the third-party logistics sector as well as the pharmaceutical field.

“Apart from that, many customers in Europe, Southeast Asia, contact us to check if Geek Plus automated warehouse robots could be deployed and integrated to their warehouse systems, which strongly motivated us to expand our business to the global market.”  [Read more…] about Geek Plus boss says customer demand led company to go global

GreyOrange and Ground providing ‘intelligent logistics’ automation solution to Japan’s largest homebuilder

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Warehouse automation company GreyOrange and e-commerce logistics solutions provider Ground Inc are supplying technology to Daiwa House Industry, which is said to be Japan’s largest homebuilder.

The agreement will include the application of GreyOrange’s Butler robotics solutions at the Daiwa’s Ichikawa logistics center, on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Daiwa House says the GreyOrange Butler robot will be installed at its “Intelligent Logistics Center” in Tokyo for multiple shippers.  [Read more…] about GreyOrange and Ground providing ‘intelligent logistics’ automation solution to Japan’s largest homebuilder

Rakuten Super Logistics partners with inVia Robotics to integrate autonomous mobile robots into US warehouses

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inVia’s robotics-as-a-service platform and picker robots to support Rakuten Super Logistics e-commerce fulfillment and warehouse productivity

inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce fulfillment centers, says that Rakuten Super Logistics has deployed inVia’s autonomous warehouse robotics technology within its Nevada operations.

Using the inVia Picker robots and cloud-based robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) management system, the company expects to increase its e-commerce fulfillment and warehouse productivity by more than 300 percent as the solution scales with data collection and optimization.

Rakuten Super Logistics is a leading national e-commerce order fulfillment company that has been on the forefront of order fulfillment technology since 2001.  [Read more…] about Rakuten Super Logistics partners with inVia Robotics to integrate autonomous mobile robots into US warehouses

Moving with the times: Exclusive interview with Mobile Industrial Robots CEO

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Judging by the number of people who visit this website to read about warehouse robots, the interest in the sector has grown dramatically over the past year.

Automated guided vehicles have been around for a long time, but they required markings and sometimes rails to be placed on the ground in order to inform of their route, and there was nothing autonomous about them.

They did their job of moving material from place to place within a facility effectively enough, but the new generation of machines are autonomous and allow for far greater flexibility. [Read more…] about Moving with the times: Exclusive interview with Mobile Industrial Robots CEO

From zero to infinity: Exclusive interview with Geek Plus boss

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Exclusive interview with Lit Fung, Geek Plus Robotics general manager in Hong Kong

It’s probably safe to say that the vast majority of warehouses in the world operate in the traditional way, manually, with some automated technology, such as forklift trucks and conveyors. 

A small but growing proportion are either fully or partially roboticised.

Some might not need it, but in most cases, bringing in the robots and introducing the latest computer technologies would very likely lead to increases in efficiency and production.  [Read more…] about From zero to infinity: Exclusive interview with Geek Plus boss

Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

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Geek Plus, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, says it will be launching two new warehouse robots at CeMAT, the material handling and logistics trade show taking place in Hannover, Germany next week. 

The company, which claims to be China’s leading supplier of warehousing and logistics solutions, will launch its P800 
picking robot and its M100 moving robot at the show.

Both robots will be equipped with what Geek Plus says is “cutting-edge advanced SLAM laser navigation technology”.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

Waypoint Robotics launches new technology for warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics says it is busy developing autonomous mobile robots “real-world applications to empower the workforce”.

The company recently unveiled a new system, called EnZone, for wirelessly charging robots, partnering with WiBotic to develop the technology.

Waypoint says EnZone is designed to work with any robot – even industrial arms and conveyors – and can complete the process even if the robot is misaligned and does not require human intervention.  [Read more…] about Waypoint Robotics launches new technology for warehouse robots

Fetch Robotics expands autonomous mobile robot fleet

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Fetch Robotics, one of the first and leading makers of warehouse robots, has expanded its VirtualConveyor family of Autonomous Mobile Robots with the addition of CartConnect and RollerTop robots.

The company says it now has “the most flexible and broad range of workflows for material handling and transport”.

Through the FetchCore Cloud Robotics Platform, mixed fleets of “VirtualConveyor” robots uniquely complement any warehouse optimization strategy for mixed inventory and workflow environments associated with the largest third-party logistics companies, retailers, and manufacturers in the world.  [Read more…] about Fetch Robotics expands autonomous mobile robot fleet