Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.44
…is trying to make the process of using warehouse automation simpler though its Southie App software. Jay M. Wong, head of software at Southie Autonomy, compared automation to personal computing. In the early days, computers were solely used for several specific tasks, and you had to be an expert to use one, he said. Over time, the barrier of entry became smaller and smaller, with software and hardware advancements geared toward accommodating everyday people. That’s what the team at Southie is trying to do for warehouse automation, Wong said. The company’s robots and software can automate palletizing, kitting, and package…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.71
…James Lawton, vice president and general manager of robotics automation at Zebra Technologies. And that’s true for companies as diverse as FedEx and iHerb. They and many others have recently turned to piece-picking automation to solve their fulfillment challenges. But we're still in the early stages of robotic piece picking. After all, it was only January 2015 when Modern Materials Handling (a sibling of Robotics 24/7) reported on early picking pilots in “The robots are coming – Part I.” So, supply chain operators would appreciate guidance on best practices in the selection and use of fulfillment systems. There's no cookie-cutter…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.63
…of conventional maritime asset maintenance are driving interest in automation, said the companies. A single crewed service vessel for an inspection mission can reach up to £10 million ($13.1 million) per month. Vaarst provides subsea 3D computer vision technologies supporting the offshore wind, wave and tidal, scientific, maritime security, and civil engineering industries. The company, which spun out of Rovco a year ago, said it is developing technology that uses artificial intelligence and that could revolutionize how energy companies manage subsea infrastructure and improve asset integrity. Rovco focuses on the use of Vaarst's technology in the energy transition space. The…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.26
…he said. “We think of ourselves more as an automation accelerant rather than a shrink-wrapped solution.” In addition to its open architecture, Formant provides tools for workflows and autonomy, including data piping for authentication and user management. “People usually come to us with different requirements—the operations person and billing will use different parts of our product,” said Linnell. “We're proud of our interfaces and workflows. They're battle-tested and look good from a design sensibility, and we're doing things like user interface toolkits. We're also compliant with MassRobotics' AMR [autonomous mobile robot] interoperability standard.” “Formant provides all the components needed to…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.38
…Aeva said its mission is “to bring the next wave of perception technology to broad applications, from automated driving to consumer electronics, consumer health, industrial robotics, and security.” The Mountain View, Calif.-based startup said it has relationships with many Tier 1 automotive suppliers, OEMs, and other industry players. While autonomous trucks won't arrive in time for this Christmas, they can provide hope as the logistics industry is on the cusp of major technological change, said Salehian. The solution to “freightmares” could be the technology in a small processor, he added. Aeva said it has developed “4D” lidar that provides sensing…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.83
…AMRs that move larger loads, autonomous lift trucks, goods-to-person automation, and mobile manipulators. In the past couple of years, rapid progress has been made with pick-and-place systems that use artificial intelligence and articulating robotic arms. This proliferation of warehouse robotics has come pretty fast and already has brought operational benefits for distribution centers (DCs), but what comes next? While new robots are sure to come, one big change is that more vendors are talking about software capabilities and the imperatives that go with that, like integration and reliable yet flexible process performance. “We are a fulfillment solution provider, not a…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.63
…more competitive, and customer expectations continue to rise, new automation is emerging to help warehouses and distribution centers. Zebra Technologies Corp. today introduced a picking system to improve fulfillment operations. It includes three new mobile robots—FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide—as well as a new FetchCore software package for order or batch picking. The Lincolnshire, Ill.-based company said these new offerings extend its position as a leader in automating and digitizing critical workflows. Zebra serves industries including retail and e-commerce, transportation and logistics, and healthcare. It provides inventory, supply chain, and patient care technologies and has more than 10,000 partners…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.44
…it combines artificial intelligence and robotics innovation to expand automation to more fields. Not only is DLR is not only the first institute to send intelligent robots into space and perform complex tasks such as human-robot collaboration, but it also the first in the world to propose and develop successful force-controlled robots adopted in industry, claimed the company. Agile Robots commercializes robotic OS Agile Robots independently developed and launched products such as its AgileCore operating system for the coordination of robots and accessories such as end effectors from different manufactures. It has also created the DIANA force-controlled robot, medical systems,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 10.17
Third Wave Automation Inc. this week announced the closing of $40 million in Series B funding led by Norwest Venture Partners. The Union City, Calif.-based “shared autonomy” startup said it plans to use the investment to accelerate growth and commercialization efforts. “I've been tracking Arshan [Poursohi, CEO] and the team at Third Wave for some time and have been consistently impressed,” said Matt Howard, general partner at Norwest Venture Partners, who will join Third Wave's board of directors. “When I last visited the Third Wave facility and saw its forklifts easily completing picks and places, my jaw dropped, and I…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.75
…developed systems for industries including e-commerce, apparel, retail, logistics, third-party logistics (3PL), pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. It added that it has 300 global customers and has deployed more than 10,000 robots worldwide. R&D at HKSTP Geek+ said its Global R&D Center will create a variety of systems for affordable, efficient, and safe logistics processes. The company, which raised more than $200 million in Series C funding last year, said the new center will help it strengthen its role as an AMR leader and “help customers across industries transform in the intelligent era.” “We are excited to have another unicorn join the…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 0.47
In March 2020, Spain was experiencing the first wave of COVID-19, and as in many other countries at the time, the situation in hospitals was already becoming critical. With the government about to order the confinement of the population, there was a clear and urgent need for systems to reduce the risk of contagion. ACCIONA, a multinational dedicated to the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of sustainable infrastructure, turned to robotics and artificial intelligence. The company tasked Carlos Crespo, manager of the Robotics & AI Skill Center at ACCIONA's Innovation Hub, with putting together a team to develop technological solutions.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 6.09
Third Wave Automation Inc. and Toyota Industries Corp. today announced a strategic partnership to produce the next generation of intelligent, fully autonomous material handling vehicles. The global materials handling equipment market will expand from $211.8 billion (U.S.) in 2019 to $320.9 billion by 2027, at a compound annual growth rate of 5.4%, predicted Fortune Business Insights. It cited the rapid growth of e-commerce, with consumer spending at nearly $3.5 trillion in 2019 and a year-over-year growth rate of 17.9%. Businesses are turning to automation to meet this demand while keeping production and logistics costs down. “Our strategic development efforts with…