Top 10 Robots and Automation Seen at ProMat 2023

Tompkins Robotics introduced new autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at ProMat 2023. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company showcased two robots from the new PickPal Series: the standard PickPal, which can carry 60 kg (130 lb.), and the PickPal+, which has a payload capacity of 100 kg (220 lb.). 

Tompkins Robotics CEO and President Mike Futch told Robotics 24/7 that the company launched the new series to accommodate customers that are not large enough to justify investing in its tSort system. 

“You need to do 5,000 sorts an hour to buy a sorter system like that,” he noted. “If you wanted to do lower volumes—think of a 3PL [third-party logistics provider] or a footwear and apparel company—we didn’t have a good way to offer a product to that base of the world.” 

Futch said the new AMRs complement Tompkins Robotics’ existing tSort system. As a company gets larger and needs a system that can handle more sorts than what an AMR can offer, the tSort system will be an option, he said. 

The company is offering the products through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model and plans to launch additional models in the near future.



Other companies showing off mobile robots included Locus Robotics, which showed its new LocusOne automation platform. Vecna Robotics highlighted its Pivotal Command Center and several of its AMRs. Seegrid announced interoperability between its Palion Lift and Palion Tow Tractor.

PickPal mobile robots from Tompkins Robotics

Tompkins Robotics introduced new autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at ProMat 2023. The Raleigh, N.C.-based company showcased two robots from the new PickPal Series: the standard PickPal, which can carry 60 kg (130 lb.), and the PickPal+, which has a payload capacity of 100 kg (220 lb.).

Tompkins Robotics CEO and President Mike Futch told Robotics 24/7 that the company launched the new series to accommodate customers that are not large enough to justify investing in its tSort system.

“You need to do 5,000 sorts an hour to buy a sorter system like that,” he noted. “If you wanted to do lower volumes—think of a 3PL [third-party logistics provider] or a footwear and apparel company—we didn’t have a good way to offer a product to that base of the world.”

Futch said the new AMRs complement Tompkins Robotics’ existing tSort system. As a company gets larger and needs a system that can handle more sorts than what an AMR can offer, the tSort system will be an option, he said.

The company is offering the products through a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model and plans to launch additional models in the near future.

Other companies showing off mobile robots included Locus Robotics, which showed its new LocusOne automation platform. Vecna Robotics highlighted its Pivotal Command Center and several of its AMRs. Seegrid announced interoperability between its Palion Lift and Palion Tow Tractor.

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