Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

warehouse

Apptronik says its humanoid robot will ‘redefine the future of work’

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Apptronik, a developer of general purpose robots designed to change the way we live and work, has unveiled Apollo, which it says is “the world’s most capable humanoid robot”.

Designed to transform the industrial workforce and beyond in service of improving the human experience, Apollo is the first commercial humanoid robot that was designed for friendly interaction, mass manufacturability, performance, and safety.

Jeff Cardenas, co-founder and CEO of Apptronik, says: “As labor challenges and employment trends continue to impact our economy, we need to fundamentally change the way we think about work, particularly in the warehouse and the supply chain. [Read more…] about Apptronik says its humanoid robot will ‘redefine the future of work’

SoftBank and Symbotic establish new ‘warehouse-as-a-service’ joint venture

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SoftBank, the telecommunications group which has wideranging interests in robotics, and Symbotic, a developer of AI-powered automation technology for the supply chain, have established a new joint venture to address the more than $500 billion annual warehouse-as-a-service market opportunity.

The newly created company is called GreenBox Systems LLC.

Concurrently, Symbotic also announced an approximately $7.5 billion new customer contract with GreenBox, who will be the exclusive provider of Symbotic systems in the warehouse-as-a-service market, and will make supply chain services available to customers. [Read more…] about SoftBank and Symbotic establish new ‘warehouse-as-a-service’ joint venture

CEVA Logistics adds 57 Exotec Skypod robots to two of its logistics centres

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CEVA Logistics is expanding warehouse automation in its two warehouses in Venray, Netherlands, thanks to the Skypod System from Exotec, a France-based warehouse robotics specialist.

The flexible goods-to-person order picking solution will enhance facility efficiency, and during peak seasons, CEVA expects to handle three times the volumes than before.

The two facilities join an existing Exotec Skypod installation at CEVA’s facility in Roosendaal. 57 Skypod robots are being deployed at the Venray facilities to add warehouse automation for CEVA’s customers, ultimately increasing both warehouse capacity and flexibility to bridge peak periods. [Read more…] about CEVA Logistics adds 57 Exotec Skypod robots to two of its logistics centres

Exotec robots ‘save warehouse workers from walking nearly 30 million kilometres’

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Data published by Exotec says that, since the company’s first delivered site in 2017, its warehouse robots have covered a distance of 28,791,005 kilometres (17,889,901 miles) – equivalent to 37 return trips to the moon.

The company says its Skypod robots have logged over 5 million kilometres (3.1 million miles) at the longest drive site, with an average of 1.75 million kilometres (1.1 million miles) across Exotec’s 10 busiest sites.

To date, Exotec’s Skypod robots have completed almost 230 million cycles globally. The company defines one cycle as the act of a robot retrieving a bin, bringing it to a picking station, and returning the bin to storage. [Read more…] about Exotec robots ‘save warehouse workers from walking nearly 30 million kilometres’

From Preventative to Predictive Maintenance of Automation

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By Nate Aswege, Director of Marketing North America, Addverb Technologies

The transition from preventive to predictive maintenance and the advantages it can offer to warehouse automation systems

Any industrial business has always needed maintenance to ensure that machines and equipment run effectively and dependably, lowering the likelihood of unplanned malfunctions and downtime.

With regularly scheduled maintenance operations carried out to keep equipment in excellent working order, maintenance has traditionally been carried out on a preventative basis.

Let’s look at the transition from preventive to predictive maintenance and the advantages it can offer to warehouse automation systems. [Read more…] about From Preventative to Predictive Maintenance of Automation

Prime Robotics agrees warehouse automation partnership with Wulftec International

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Prime Robotics, a provider of intelligent end-to-end automation solutions for warehouse, distribution, and fulfillment facilities, has agreed a partnership with Wulftec International.

This agreement enables Prime Robotics customers to fully integrate Wulftec’s stretch wrapping technology with Prime’s pallet management solution.

In today’s hyper-competitive marketplace, end-to-end automation plays a critical role in the efficiency and success of fulfillment facilities. [Read more…] about Prime Robotics agrees warehouse automation partnership with Wulftec International

6 Ways AI and Robotics are Revolutionizing Warehouse Security

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The rise of advanced AI technology and automated systems continues to be a major talking point for business leaders across most major industries.

From smart data analysis enabling logistics companies to overcome supply chain issues, to automated machines dramatically improving the efficiency of manufacturing processes, AI is transforming the working world.

However, whilst many conversations surrounding AI adoption center around productivity, production planning and efficiency, businesses mustn’t overlook advancements in automated security systems. [Read more…] about 6 Ways AI and Robotics are Revolutionizing Warehouse Security

Making a Warehouse More Efficient

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If you are thinking of trying to improve the practices throughout your business, one of the main ways that you might be able to do that is by looking at the various areas within that business. And one that is especially important in most companies is the warehouse.

If you have a need for a warehouse, then it’s always going to be a really central and vital part of the company on the whole, and you’ll want to make sure that you are making it as efficient as you possibly can.

When it comes to that, there are a lot of things you can think about. In this post, we are going to take you through just a few of the most important of these, so that you can effectively run a much more efficient warehouse in no time. Let’s take a look at what this involves. [Read more…] about Making a Warehouse More Efficient

Hesai Technology to provide lidar for planned Cratus warehouse robots

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Hesai Technology, a provider of lidar solutions, and Cratus, a software solution integrator for lidar systems, have agreed a strategic alliance to develop autonomous warehouse solutions using Hesai’s “groundbreaking safety-rated” 3D lidar, the QT128.

Cratus has selected the QT128 as the lead sensor in its all-new lidar perception package for automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

AGVs and AMRs have been used for many years in warehouses and manufacturing plants to accomplish a variety of material handling tasks. [Read more…] about Hesai Technology to provide lidar for planned Cratus warehouse robots

Associated Food Stores selects Symbotic to implement warehouse automation system

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Associated Food Stores (AFS), a provider of groceries and other goods and services to independent retailers in nine Intermountain states, and Symbotic, a developer of AI-enabled robotics technology for the supply chain, have entered into a commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s robotic warehouse automation technology in AFS’ Utah distribution center.

Symbotic says its end-to-end automation system, with robotic case pick capabilities, will allow AFS’ distribution center to “improve a variety of retail-facing experiences”, including overall supply, expanded selection and delivery of products to stores.

David Rice, AFS’ president and CEO, says: “We appreciate the partnership with Symbotic which enables us to cast an exciting vision for future growth and long-term relevance with the shoppers and retailers we serve. [Read more…] about Associated Food Stores selects Symbotic to implement warehouse automation system