Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.72
Transportation logistics company Gatik earlier this month announced a multi-year commercial collaboration to transport customer orders within Kroger’s Dallas distribution network. Under the collaboration, Gatik’s medium-duty autonomous box trucks will transport fresh, customer-favorite products from a Kroger Customer Fulfillment Center (CFC) in Dallas, Texas, to multiple retail locations. Gatik said its delivers goods safely and efficiently using its fleet of light and medium-duty trucks. The company focuses on short-haul, B2B logistics for Fortune 500 customers including Kroger, Walmart, Loblaw, and Georgia-Pacifi. Gatik’s Class 3-6 autonomous box trucks are commercially deployed in multiple markets including Texas, Arkansas, and Ontario. Gatik’s autonomous…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.72
Next week at the MODEX 2022 supply chain trade show, Universal Robots ApS will have several live demonstrations highlighting how its customers are using its collaborative robots. Odense, Denmark-based Universal Robots (UR) is the market leader in the cobot space, with a 44% to 47% market share. Cobots go to work depalletizing At Universal Robots' booth B2805, visitors will learn how automation company Mujin is using Universal Robots' UR10e for mixed case depalletizing. “Collaborative robots have completely changed the way industry utilizes robotics,” says Josh Cloer, director of sales at Mujin. “UR brings flexibility, ease-of-use and ready-to-deploy tools making it…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.72
Figure AI Inc. this week announced its $70 million Series A funding round. The startup said it plans to use the financing to accelerate the development of its Figure 01 humanoid robot, build out its data pipeline for autonomous operations, and continue its commercialization efforts. “Figure's near-term goal is to deploy humanoids into the workforce, and we believe that the structured, repetitive, and often dangerous tasks in warehouses are a great potential first application,” said Brett Adcock, founder and CEO of Figure, in a press release. “This investment round will support the testing of early warehouse solutions and gives us…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.72
The pandemic has changed how consumers shop and make purchases. In spring 2020, nearly 70% of shoppers were reliant on online shopping. The infographic below outlines the top consumer shopping trends after COVID-19: The “2021 State of the U.S. eCommerce Consumer Survey” captures insights on shopping habits. Click here for the full infographic. Source: CGS The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that holiday retail sales will increase between 8.5% and 10.5% this year. The NRF reports that online and non-store sales continue to experience significant gains, growing 11% to 15% in a market of about $218.3 billion to $226.2 billion.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.71
More robots are coming to major supply chain and logistics operations. Berkshire Grey Inc. and FedEx Corp. today announced that they have expanded their strategic relationship. The companies have agreed to develop new robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence to help improve the safety and efficiency of FedEx's global package-handling operations. “Our growing relationship with Berkshire Grey for robotic automation is a direct response to the growth of e-commerce, which has accelerated the demand for reliable automated solutions throughout all stages of the supply chain,” said Rebecca Yeung, corporate vice president of operations science and advanced technology at FedEx. “FedEx believes…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.71
AutoStore yesterday announced the North American launch of Pio, which stands for “Product In/Out.” The Nedre Vats, Norway-based company said Pio is a plug-and-play version of its cube storage technology tailored for small and midsized businesses, or SMBs. Based on a pay-per-pick service model, Pio allows SMBs, such as retailers of apparel, sporting goods, crafts, and cosmetics, to deploy automation with a relatively low investment. The goal is to enable more businesses to gain access to its technology, said AutoStore. “We established Pio to make our technology available to smaller businesses,” said Mats Hovland Vikse, CEO of AutoStore. “Only 15%…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.70
Chang Industrial and Hai Robotics yesterday announced the formation of a strategic partnership targeting North American manufacturers. Chang Industrial has built a consortium of engineering and supply chain partners including Hai Robotics, a leading global provider of automated storage and retrieval systems, or ASRS. The partners said they aim to improve flexibility and sustainability in manufacturing offerings. The collaboration is intended “to optimize all aspects of the value chain, from concept to execution, with emphasis on autonomous systems, workforce optimization, and improved information communication technology for our North American manufacturers,” said Chang Industrial. “This partnership allows us to provide the…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.69
Precise, fast, and flexible robotic manipulation of variable items has been a challenge for automated order fulfillment. Artificial intelligence startups are working to enable more autonomous handling. Embodied Intelligence Inc., which does business as Covariant, yesterday said it has raised $80 million in Series C funding. The Berkeley, Calif.-based company said it will use the money to continue its robotics and AI research and development, as well as grow its team globally. “Autonomous order picking has long been seen as the holy grail for warehouse automation in the robotics world,” stated Pieter Abbeel, president, chief scientist, and co-founder of Covariant.…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.69
Clockspeed. If you’re not familiar with the term, it was coined by Charles Fine, an MIT professor, to define rapidly evolving industries – those with a fast clock speed that he likened to fruit flies that are born, mature and expire in a very short time. He argued that “in business today, all advantage is temporary. In order to survive-let alone thrive-companies must be able to anticipate and adapt to change, or face rapid, brutal extinction.“ Based on my week at Promat in Chicago, I’d argue that the clockspeed of our industry has been accelerating in an unprecedented fashion over…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.67
ATLANTA—Exotec SAS yesterday announced at its ExoDay event that it has been recognized as the “Overall Robotics Company of the Year” in the annual SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards program. Exotec builds high-density warehouse automation and has been expanding in North America. “Exotec is revolutionizing the way warehouses operate for the benefit of the entire field—from the people working on the warehouse floors to those awaiting their orders at home,” said Bryan Vaughn, managing director of the SupplyTech Breakthrough Awards, in a press release. “They demonstrate a strong innovation culture, unique product approach, and commitment to delivering results,” he added. “We're thrilled…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.67
Justifying the next-gen investment Early materials handling AGVs relied on ground wires, tape, magnets, and reflectors, but today’s robotic lift trucks operate without any added infrastructure and are unrestricted by fixed routes. This offers great strides forward in terms of flexibility, ease of use and productivity. For example, Yale® robotic lift trucks equipped with Driven by Balyo technology build a map of the facility and self-locate in real time, navigating infrastructure free and easily responding to unexpected obstructions. As the competitive landscape continues to intensify, materials handling operations cannot afford an investment that does not pay off, so translating these…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.64
As a record number of warehouse workers is needed to support e-commerce growth, global brands are seeking assistive automation to increase throughput and safety for warehouse associates. Ambi Robotics today said it has closed its $26 million Series A funding round. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company has developed simulation-to-reality artificial intelligence for highly dexterous robots. “Ambi Robotics combines cutting-edge AI technology with engaging user interfaces to transform the role of ‘item handlers’ to ‘robot handlers,’” said Jim Liefer, CEO at Ambi Robotics. “With our Series A funding, we will be able to empower more companies to help their associates work harmoniously…