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Brightpick launches ‘world’s first’ commercially available autonomous mobile picking robot

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Brightpick, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for order fulfillment, has launched its Brightpick Autopicker, which the company describes as “the world’s first commercially-available autonomous mobile picking robot for e-commerce and grocery order fulfillment”.

Brightpick Autopicker is the only warehouse robot capable of both picking and consolidating orders in the aisles. Like humans with carts, Brightpick Autopickers move around the warehouse, retrieve product storage totes (bins) from shelving, and robotically pick items from those totes to consolidate orders directly in the aisles.

In contrast to other types of automated fulfillment systems, Brightpick Autopicker does not need to travel back and forth to centralized picking stations. [Read more…] about Brightpick launches ‘world’s first’ commercially available autonomous mobile picking robot

Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

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Geek+, a provider of mobile logistics robots, has released its latest solution, RoboShuttle Plus, which looks similar to, and may compete with, the AutoStore system. 

Geek+ says its new RoboShuttle Plus system achieves one-stop storage and picking of all types of goods and delivers higher throughput and flexibility, adding that “this marks a significant advance in the interoperability of Geek+’s various robot models and a stride towards full warehouse automation”.

The upgraded solution fills the market gap for an all-in-one picking solution by coordinating of three types of robots around one centralized workstation: RoboShuttles handle vertical storage and retrieval of totes, P40 picking robots move smaller items, and P500 and P800 robots move medium to large items. [Read more…] about Geek+ launches RoboShuttle Plus to compete with AutoStore

Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

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Geek+ has provided 82 autonomous mobile robots for C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama, in the US.

C-StoreMaster officially opened its 130,000-square-foot automated warehouse recently with a celebration attended by leaders in the convenience store industry and the city of Huntsville.

To honor the warehouse opening and C-StoreMaster’s dedication to advancing technology in Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey proclaimed December 8 as Technology Innovation Day. [Read more…] about Geek+ provides 82 robots to C-StoreMaster’s new $20 million distribution warehouse in Huntsville, Alabama

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

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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

stow Robotics and Phononic collaborate to design cold chain fulfillment solutions

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stow Robotics, the warehouse automation business unit within stow Group, and Phononic, a provider of solid state cooling technology, have formed a strategic alliance to provide cold chain fulfillment solutions that serve the retail grocery industry across North America and Europe.

Combining stow Robotics’ automation expertise with Phononic’s sustainable active cooling technology, the two companies are collaborating to design, develop and scale solutions for cold chain fulfillment, particularly for grocery automated fulfillment centers.

stow Group is one of the leading suppliers of industrial storage solutions. Through stow Robotics, stow Group is implementing warehouse automation for every industrial need with its growing platform of scalable and innovative automated technologies. [Read more…] about stow Robotics and Phononic collaborate to design cold chain fulfillment solutions

Cheesy technology: Sargento increases outbound fulfillment with Westfalia warehouse automation

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A Sharp History of Expertise: About the Customer

There’s a reason cheese heads live in Wisconsin, a state with a long, well-established history in the commercial cheese industry dating back to 1837.

In fact, there were over 2,800 cheese factories in the northern border state by the 1920s so, it’s no surprise that modern, high-quality cheeses originate there as well.

Sargento Foods founded in Plymouth, Wisconsin, in 1953, has grown into a powerhouse of cheese manufacturing and is a dominant brand across the United States. [Read more…] about Cheesy technology: Sargento increases outbound fulfillment with Westfalia warehouse automation

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

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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

2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Five challenges for warehouse management, according to AutoStore

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AutoStore has launched a new benchmark report with insights from more than 300 C-level business leaders in warehouse management and fulfillment.

Survey participants identified the top three current challenges facing organizations as: rising energy costs (32 percent), increasing labor costs (27 percent), and supply chain and shipping constraints (26 percent).

Ellen Brune, head of global strategic accounts at AutoStore, says: “There is a need to operate more efficiently, which is perhaps why nearly nine in 10 organizations either have, or are planning to install, automation technology in their warehouse in 2023. [Read more…] about 2023 Predictions & Forecasts: Five challenges for warehouse management, according to AutoStore

Exotec expands warehouse automation product range

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Exotec, a warehouse robotics provider, has expanded its product portfolio with three solutions: a new conveyor system, an improved picking solution, and new proprietary warehouse software.

As inflation, economic headwinds, and labour shortages continue to place mounting pressure on supply chains, businesses around the world are looking for ways to address their immediate needs while also positioning themselves for an unpredictable future. Increasingly, this means doing more with less.

To help meet these needs, Exotec is releasing a new conveyor system, updated robotic picking solution, and proprietary warehouse software that all perfectly integrate with the Skypod system. [Read more…] about Exotec expands warehouse automation product range

Photoneo Brightpick raises additional $19 million to complete $40 million in Series B funding

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Photoneo Brightpick Group, the parent company of Photoneo, a provider of robotic vision sensors and intelligence software, and Brightpick, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for ecommerce and grocery order fulfillment, has raised an additional $19 million to complete a $40 million Series B.

Taiwania Capital led this most recent round, which also included follow-on investments by prior Series B lead investors IPM Group and Alpha Intelligence Capital.

Additional investors in this round include H&D Asset Management, Venture to Future Fund and Kolowrat Group. This round brings the company’s total capital raised since inception to $53 million. [Read more…] about Photoneo Brightpick raises additional $19 million to complete $40 million in Series B funding