Big Joe Forklifts (Booths B3219 & B3419) is previewing several new products, including the company’s vision for a new breed of semi-autonomous machines known as “co-bots,” or collaborative robots, that keep humans in the loop within materials handling workflows to deliver maximum value. Nicknamed “BUD,” Big Joe’s User Directed Pallet Mover showcases the company’s User Directed Automation concept. It features a simple onboard tablet and Cloud connection to drive autonomously on custom missions once an operator manually loads a pallet and tells it where to go. “Automation as we know it in material handling is about to be turned upside…
Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation today announced that it has reached a definitive merger agreement to acquire RE2 Robotics., a developer of autonomous and teleoperated mobile robotic systems for use in the aviation, construction, defense, energy and medical industries. The companies said the transactions brings together two leading commercial robotics teams focused on industrial robotic technologies that improve worker safety and productivity. Purchase price of $100 million Consideration for the transaction is $100 million, consisting of $30 million in cash, which Sarcos expects to fund with cash on hand, and $70 million of Sarcos common stock. “We are delighted to…
FORT Robotics Inc. today announced the Nano Safety Controller, or NSC, an embeddable board that allows customers to build FORT wireless safety and communication technology directly into their machines without bolt-on hardware. “Until now, customers who wanted our trusted command technology have had to use our bolt-on hardware. That’s not always ideal for every project,” said Nathan Bivans, chief technology officer at FORT. “With the NSC, we can provide a solution that’s smaller, more flexible, more integrated, and cost-effective for large numbers of machines.” Philadelphia-based FORT Robotics said its mission is to unlock the full potential of mobile robots by…
Locus Robotics Corp. today announced that it has added the Locus Vector and Locus Max to its line of autonomous mobile robots, or AMRs. These new models join the Locus Origin robot to address a broad range of warehouse use cases, said the Wilmington, Mass.-based company. The new AMRs address e-commerce, case-picking, and pallet-picking applications, as well as supply chain scenarios requiring larger, heavier payloads, said Locus. The company acquired Nashua, N.H.-based Waypoint Robotics Inc. in September 2021. “With these new LocusBots, we’re able to help our clients alleviate significant labor challenges and achieve optimal productivity by using the right…
In advance of the MODEX 2022 supply chain trade show, two companies addressed the challenge of automated bagging. Berkshire Grey Inc. and OSARO Inc. last week both announced new products that they plan to show in Atlanta. “Warehouse and logistics operations globally are wrestling with an acceleration of consumer demand and a shortage of labor,” stated Derik Pridmore, CEO of OSARO. “By automating common manual processes such as movement, storage and retrieval, and picking and placing, fulfillment centers and e-commerce operations can become more efficient and cost effective—and improve employee safety.” “Berkshire Grey’s Robotic Pick and Pack with Identification system…
Trending
Mobile robot makers are located around the world, from Waltham, Mass., to Beijing. Many makers of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are relatively young. Most were started in the past decade, if not the past five years. But even though they are young, they are actively reshaping manufacturing and warehouse operations. Interact Analysis reported that about 100,000 mobile robots were shipped globally last year. That's the highest ever sold. That includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs) as well as AMRs. AMR sales strong in response to pandemic, labor shortage The rising adoption of mobile robots is in part because of the COVID-19…
Kindred Inc. this week announced it will bring to market an AI-powered robotic system designed to automate the small parcel induction process. Built on Kindred’s proprietary CORE/AutoGrasp artificial intelligence platform, the INDUCT robotic system is a high-speed workcell that identifies items and determines how to handle them, a process known as induction. The San Francisco-based company said the system accurately picks, maneuvers, and places items onto a moving belt, bomb bay, or tilt sorter. The platform combines AI-powered machine vision, grasping, and manipulation algorithms to handle parcels of varying size, fragility, and materials. INDUCT system to help address shortages The…
AutoStore AS last week launched the newest version of its vertical bin lift in North America. The Nedre Vats, Norway-based company said the Bin Lift 2.0 will extend the reachability of the company’s warehouse inventory bins. Founded in 1996, AutoStore specializes in robots and automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) for warehouses. The company said it has sold more than 850 systems in 45 countries. Bin Lift 2.0 available in G2P and G2G The newly redesigned Bin Lift offers enhanced performance with upgraded rollers, tracks, motor, and electronics, the company said. It is easier to assemble than the previous model…
Labor shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic have posed serious challenges for warehouses and distribution centers. Honeywell International Inc. yesterday announced a strategic collaboration with OTTO Motors to provide automation throughout North America for help with labor-intensive tasks, such as moving carts, pallets, or totes. Honeywell said the partnership enables its customers to increase efficiency, reduce errors, and improve safety by deploying OTTO Motors’ autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in their facilities. “Supply chains continue to be stressed by staffing shortages and consumer demands driving expectations of speedy and accurate fulfillment,” said Keith Fisher, president of Honeywell Intelligrated. “Tackling the more dynamic,…
Mobile robots are getting smarter. OTTO Motors yesterday announced the availability of OTTO Lifter, which it called “the smartest autonomous forklift on the market.” The new system is designed to pick up and drop off pallets autonomously. OTTO Motors plans to demonstrate OTTO Lifter alongside its OTTO 100 and 1500 robots at MODEX 2022 next week in Atlanta. OTTO Motors, a division of Clearpath Robotics Inc. in Kitchener, Ontario, provides autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for moving materials inside factories and warehouses. The company said it has more than 3 million hours of driving experience with no safety incidents in demanding…
HAI Robotics, an autonomous case-handling robot maker, will present its flexible totes-to-person warehouse automation products at MODEX 2022. The company's exhibits this year include two types of autonomous case-handling robots and one workstation that was crafted to explore the full potentials of order-fulfillment efficiency, deployment flexibility and scalability in a goods-to-person order-handling context, the company said. HAIPICK enables higher storage density The HAIPICK A42T robot to be displayed is an evolution of the company’s IFOY 2021 “Best in Intralogistics” title earner. With a telescopic lift function that can flexibly adjust its picking height, it can handle bins (totes or cartons)…