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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’

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

Osaro and Geek+ partner to integrate robotic warehouse solutions

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Osaro, a specialist in in machine-learning-enabled robotics for e-commerce, has agreed partnership that integrates its pick-and-place robots with groundbreaking Geek+ warehouse automation systems.

The new alliance offers businesses a one-stop solution for their warehouse fulfillment operations and a strategy to boost the ROI of their autonomous mobile robot systems (AMRs) and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS).

Derik Pridmore, Osaro CEO, says: “At Osaro, our goal is to provide reliable robotic systems that make automation easy, which is why the seamless integration of our picking robots with Geek+ systems is so valuable for quick and easy deployment. [Read more…] about Osaro and Geek+ partner to integrate robotic warehouse solutions

Netrush and Brightpick partnership ‘cuts fulfillment costs by 50 percent’

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At a time when consumer expectations have never been higher and a positive workplace culture is more crucial than ever, e-commerce growth expert Netrush is investing in a solution that the company says is “sure to help the company further improve customer and employee satisfaction while also enabling it to significantly reduce costs”.

The initiative is part of an agreement between Netrush and its newest partner Brightpick, whose warehouse automation solutions “have helped e-commerce retailers cut order fulfillment costs by as much as 50 percent”, according to the companies.

Netrush CEO Shane Atchison says: “With this partnership, we’re innovating to deliver a logistics operation that is four times more efficient and a corporate culture that is second to none. [Read more…] about Netrush and Brightpick partnership ‘cuts fulfillment costs by 50 percent’