OSARO and FANUC Join Forces to Help Warehouses Automate Picking

As change sweeps across retail and logistics, a growing number of organizations is seeking to deploy pick-and-place automation, according to OSARO and FANUC America. The companies yesterday said they are collaborating to expand the capabilities of FANUC robots for warehousing and e-commerce order fulfillment with OSARO's machine vision software.

“E-commerce growth is driving the increased adoption of robotics and automation,” observed James Cooper, general manager of FANUC’s authorized system Integrators (ASI), certified education, and regional offices.

“Our collaboration with OSARO enables us to showcase the latest automation technologies for fulfillment operations," he said in a statement. "We look forward to working together with OSARO and our ASIs to help customers in the warehousing sector achieve their production goals.”

OSARO SightWorks aids picking

San Francisco-based OSARO said it delivers automated piece-picking systems to address challenges including high SKU inventories, complex packaging, and fragile items. The company said its systems support goods-to-robot (G2R) use cases. It claimed that its Hypercare support covers everything from concept exploration to onsite installation.

“Our AI-driven SightWorks vision software and associated technologies provide the foundation for all of our warehouse solutions," said Derik Pridmore, CEO of OSARO. "[They are] available to strategic partners, including FANUC’s ASI network of robot integrators, to build the custom applications and control technologies required to identify, pick, and place any object.”

“By collaborating on engineering and business development, FANUC and OSARO will be able to deliver the industry’s most advanced robotic automation solutions across the e-commerce fulfillment center — from incoming inventory depalletizing to outbound kitting and bagging," he added. "We look forward to expanding the market in collaboration with FANUC’s experienced team.”

OSARO and FANUC said their technical and commercial partnership will combine FANUC's pick-and-place robots with OSARO SightWorks, which enables robots to perceive, grasp, and perform fulfillment tasks previously done only by humans. They said they will also apply machine learning to identify and pick new objects.

The partners said that businesses that use their technology and experience can obtain the following benefits:

• Increased throughput
• Reduced dependence on labor
• Faster order processing
• Greater shipment accuracy
• Improved return on investment (ROI)
• A scalable solution for changing needs
• Less need for floor space

FANUC to collaborate on market strategies

OSARO and FANUC said they will collaborate on go-to-market strategies, starting with the installation of an advanced piece-picking demonstration robot at FANUC’s Innovation Center in Rochester Hills, Mich.

Several FANUC-authorized systems integrators have joined OSARO’s partner program, which they said "offers one-stop access for businesses looking to deploy robotic solutions in their fulfillment operations."

The OSARO Partners Alliance provides a mechanism for autonomous mobile robot (AMR) and automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) vendors, integrators, distributors, third-party logistics companies, and consultants to collaborate and co-market unified solutions. The program is designed to optimize every stage of a customer’s purchasing and deployment processes.

Rochester Hills, Mich.-based FANUC America Corp. is a subsidiary of Japan-based FANUC Corp. and provides CNC systems, robotics, and factory automation. The company said its offerings can help manufacturers across the Americas maximize productivity, reliability, and profitability.