Dexterity Announces Release 3.0 of Palletizing and Depalletizing Automation

Dexterity Inc. today released Version 3.0 of its Palletizing and Depalletizing, or PDP, software for warehouse robots. The company said PDP 3.0 includes features to improve throughput, reduce installation and integration time and cost, and increase performance flexibility.

"Dexterity’s AI software platform uses cutting-edge robotic and automation technology to drive value for our customers," said Cary VandenAvond, chief revenue officer of Dexterity, in a statement. "With our Palletizing and Depalletizing 3.0 release, we’re providing even more features to our customers to ensure they are able to fully utilize robots in the full diversity of their pallet operations."

Redwood City, Calif.-based Dexterity said its "full-stack" technologies provide robots with human-like dexterity for repetitive tasks, allowing employees to focus on higher-level, cognitive work. With applications in logistics, warehousing, and supply chain operations, the company said its robots "excel in complex manipulations in unpredictable environments."

PDP 3.0 features

"PDP 3.0 makes pallet loading and unloading effortless for third-party logistics (3PL) providers, retailers, apparel manufacturers, and other material handlers," claimed Dexterity.

The company said its software release includes the following new features to expand warehouse operators' ability to automate their pallet operations:

1. Print and apply integration -- PDP 3.0 enables 3PLs to automate their case-in, case-out labeling processes. Dexterity automates Amazon FNSKU case-labeling process and other case relabeling value-added services.
2. Pallet stacking -- By enabling picking from up to five pallets stacked on one another, PDP 3.0 unlocks the utilization of work cells by minimizing the time for pallet swapping.
3. Rolling cart loading adapter -- Moving beyond pallets, PDP 3.0 enables operators to load and unload rolling carts, handling both boxes and plastic tote bins.
4. Fly-by barcode Scanning -- With faster barcode reading, PDP 3.0 does not slow much in loading and unloading cases onto pallets, meaning higher throughput and faster integration into warehouse workflows.
5. Sortation to pallets -- PDP 3.0’s ability to sort products directly onto pallets can add a new level of efficiency to logistics operations.

Since launching the Dexterity Palletizing and Depalletizing product in January, Dexterity said its customers have received new feature releases that increase its flexibility and utilization rate in warehouse operations. Customers are already addressing staffing shortages with the system, it said.

Starting from its baseline performance, PDP can unload messy pallets with mixed goods at up to 700 cases per hour (cph) and palletize random, unsequenced mixed SKU cases at 350 cph, claimed the company.

Upon its release in March 2023, Palletizing and Depalletizing 2.0 added barcode scanning, label orientation, and a switch for toggling between palletizing and depalletizing in one work cell.

Now with Palletizing and Depalletizing 3.0, Dexterity said it has "kept pace with customer needs for even greater flexibility in their workspace and the need to increase throughput and utilization."

Dexterity touts continued value

As with previous releases, PDP 3.0 offers the following benefits, according to Dexterity:

Easy commissioning, instant productivity: Unlike traditional systems that require extensive infrastructure and training before deployment, Dexterity's software and modular hardware configurations mean the system can be deployed in as little as 48 hours. Regardless of the case mix, Dexterity-powered robots handle a wide range of case mixes without needing training, it said.

Effortless integration: The Dexterity AI Platform eliminates the need for a data feed or warehouse software integration by integrating with external sensors like barcode scanners and imbuing robots with the ability to react to their environments on the fly. For example, Dexterity said its robots intelligently pause when faced with an upstream bottleneck, ensuring optimal performance.

Full lifecycle support: Dexterity's Hypercare service provides training, real-time monitoring, and problem-resolution services to ensure "an effortless ramp to production and beyond." Regular feature releases add flexibility to Dexterity products so they are used to their full potential in production.

Dexterity said PDP 3.0 features are available now. The company plans to host a webinar with its product and engineering team on Sept. 7 to discuss PDP 3.0 features and the product’s roadmap.