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HAI Robotics yesterday said it is celebrating its fifth anniversary at its new headquarters in Shenzhen, China, as the Hurun Research Institute ranked the company in this year's global unicorn ranking list. HAI Robotics makes autonomous case-handling robots, or ACRs, for warehouse order fulfillment. “It’s an extraordinary journey for us to grow from the cradle of a small workshop into…
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…traditional warehouses to adapt to micro-fulfillment centers that might be located in office buildings or back-of-store. That's the specialization piece. But I think the specialized applications will be combined in a general platform. So instead of having hundreds of companies that address each specialization, we'll have a few companies that combine specialized applications into a cohesive automation solution. Looking forward…
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The end of the year is the customary time to reflect on achievements and challenges, as well as to look ahead to goals for the year to come. After nearly two years of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain snafus, and shifting demand, multiple industries are looking to robots and automation to improve efficiency and mitigate widespread labor shortages.…
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…of its grocery automation and micro-fulfillment systems, Alert Innovation Inc. announced a transition in leadership roles. Founder John Lert will become executive chairman, handing the CEO reins to Fritz Morgan, who had been serving as chief operations officer. “I had this transition in mind when I asked Fritz to help me lead Alert,” said Lert. “I recognized during our very…
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Velodyne Lidar Inc. yesterday announced that ROBORACE has selected it as the official lidar sensor provider for next generation vehicles in the Season One championship series, which is set to begin in 2022. ROBORACE use Velodyne‘s Velarray H800 sensors in its electric-powered autonomous race cars. “At ROBORACE, we are always searching for the best technology to build into our race…
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Small to midsize distributors have begun to adopt automation. For instance, we featured NorthShore Care Supply's use of autonomous mobile robots last year. Now, robotic palletizing has sped up receiving operations, taken labor out of the process, and created a safer work environment. In July of 2020, I toured NorthShore Care Supply's recently opened 173,000-square-foot distribution center (DC) north of…
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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)…
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As with other industries, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated demand for automation in the restaurant industry. However, small and midsize businesses, or SMBs, have tight profit margins and are understandably reluctant to invest in new, complex technologies even as they struggle with turnover and labor shortages, according to Haitham Al-Beik, CEO of Wings. Littleton, Mass.-based Letsbutterfly Inc., which does business…
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HAI Robotics yesterday announced that more than 100 units of its HAIPORT-powered Workstation have been put into operation globally since it launched the product a year ago. The Shenzhen, China-based company said the system has significantly improved order-fulfillment efficiency for its customers, which have been under pressure to update their warehouses with higher throughput capacity. “HAIPORT-powered Workstation offers an innovative…
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GXO Logistics Inc. today announced that it has deployed 6 River Systems Inc. collaborative mobile robots on multiple mezzanine floors in one of its distribution centers in Milton Keynes, U.K. The Greenwich, Conn.-based company said the deployment was an industry first. “This multi-tiered installation is groundbreaking for us and a first in our industry,” stated Gavin Williams, managing director for…
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ForwardX Robotics, which develops mobile robots for warehousing and manufacturing environments, today announced that it has raised $31 million in its initial Series C1 funding round. The Beijing-based company said it plans to use the new capital to accelerate its research and development timeline, increase its deployment capabilities in key markets such as the U.S., and expand its sales reach…
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Ryder System Inc. today announced that it has agreed to acquire Whiplash, a provider of omnichannel fulfillment and retail logistics services, for about $480 million in cash. “The acquisition of Whiplash is consistent with our strategy to accelerate growth in our higher-return supply chain business,” stated Robert Sanchez, chairman and CEO of Ryder. “It also expands our e-commerce and omnichannel…
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Editor’s note: This is the second of two stories focused on the adoption of automation by small to mid-sized distributors. In the November issue, we learned how Top Notch Distributors made the leap from paper-based, pick-to-cart operations to system-directed pick-to-robots. In this issue, we revisit NorthShore Care Supply, which we featured in the September 2020 System Report, to see how…
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For automation to spread to more warehouses, it will have to connect easily and effectively with existing systems. NAI Group LLC last week announced the expansion of its capabilities to provide interconnect solutions for the growing warehouse automation industry. The Troy, Mich.-based company custom designs and manufactures cable assemblies and harnesses for equipment OEMs and system integrators. Only about 5%…
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Petra Inc. yesterday said that it has raised $30 million in Series A funding and successfully completed a 20-ft. demonstration tunnel “through the hardest rock on earth.” The San Francisco-based company claimed to be the first one capable of inexpensively placing critical utilities underground through hard geologies. “In the past, there have only been a handful of costly and inefficient…
Ultrasonic sensing enhances robotics perception
Cybernetix Ventures’ event kicks off Robotics Tech Week 2026 slate of events
Preview the manufacturing and warehouse components that will be on the…
Preview the manufacturing and warehouse robots and software that will be on…
