MODEX 2024: Plus One updates depalletization and induction features

Plus One Robotics, a provider of machine vision software and systems for robotic parcel handling, announced two product updates at MODEX 2024. The trade show was held March 11-14 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA.

The company said the new features include updates to depalletization and parcel induction capabilities designed to enhance efficiency and expand Plus One’s reach into new market segments.

Plus One said its new updates offer significant advancements for businesses seeking to streamline and optimize their fulfillment operations where speed, accuracy, and efficiency are paramount. In addition to machine vision software, Plus One provides human-in-the-loop remote supervision service through Yonder.

In an adjacent booth, Yaskawa Motoman demonstrated parcel induction using Plus One Robotics’ machine vision systems. Photo: Donald Halsing / PEERLESS MEDIA

AI and machine vision increase depalletization SKU compatibility

Plus One’s new depalletization feature can address customer needs in grocery fulfillment, including the demand for increased SKU entitlement for shrink-wrapped cartons and trays. The new capabilities help overcome a longstanding technical challenge faced when automating the depalletization process: accurately distinguishing between groups of densely packed, shrink-wrapped food and beverage items.

To tackle this issue, Plus One Robotics has developed new vision capabilities and AI to accurately identify different product configurations, streamlining the depalletization process and optimizing picking accuracy. This feature is robot-agnostic and designed to work with any of Plus One’s system integrator partners’ depalletization systems, offering an immediate solution for warehouses looking to automate their material handling process.

"This new depalletization feature is a game-changer for the grocery industry," said Shaun Edwards, CTO and co-founder of Plus One Robotics. "By leveraging innovative vision technology, we can now seamlessly automate the handling of various case pack configurations, significantly improving efficiency and throughput for our customers in the grocery segment."

Plus One Robotics announced a new vacuum gripper with individualized cup control to improve parcel slection and handling. Source: Plus One Robotics

Individual Cup Control Gripper optimizes parcel singulation

Plus One Robotics also introduced a new gripper design for parcel induction. The company’s Individual Cup Control Gripper leverages the AI of Plus One’s PickOne vision software to grasp and singulate parcels using the optimal configuration of active suction cups. Plus One said individual cup control offers several operational benefits:

• Minimize unintentional multiple picks: the combination of cup configurations enabled by this design allows the gripper to match the shape of the target parcel and avoid accidentally grasping adjacent parcels.
• Maximize retention force: by activating only the necessary suction cups, the gripper applies the full force of the vacuum to the parcel surface, reducing costs from damaged or dropped parcels.
• Reliability: Plus One Robotics follows a rigorous in-house reliability testing protocol to ensure dependability in the field.

"The new Individual Cup Control Gripper exemplifies our unwavering focus on continuous improvement and efficiency," said Erik Nieves, CEO and co-founder of Plus One Robotics. "This software-driven innovation, tightly coupled with our PickOne software and AI detection, empowers users with unparalleled control and adaptability, regardless of the package type, whether it's a box, polybag, envelope or irregular."

Robot arm provider Yaskawa Motoman demonstrated robotic parcel induction with a variety of packaging types at its neighboring booth at MODEX 2024. Plus One and Yaskawa Motoman announced a partnership in May 2023, highlighting deployments for FedEx.

Check out Robotics 24/7’s Tuesday MODEX 2024 recap for more photos from Plus One and Yaskawa Motoman’s booths.