At MODEX 2022, Mujin Corp. plans to debut mixed-case robotic palletizing with intelligent buffer and re-sequencing capability. The Tokyo-based company said the novel application demonstrates how robots can perform challenging picking and packing tasks without advanced programming.
Mixed-case palletizing has been difficult to automate, according to Mujin. Traditionally, this labor-intensive operation requires material handlers to store the cases for an order until there are enough cases to build the pallet.
Recently, many organizations have begun automating the storage and sequencing of goods to make human packers more efficient, but such material handling equipment is expensive and has a large footprint, said Mujin.
The company added that its palletizing robot can buffer and re-sequence cases without the need for upstream equipment. It said it can automate previously manual operations without large operational and infrastructure changes.
“Robots are becoming more intelligent, and new applications such as mixed-case palletizing are now possible,” said Ross Diankov, co-founder of Mujin. “With Mujin solutions, all warehouses need to do is send the boxes directly to the robots, and they’ll re-sequence them before placing them on the pallet. That’s it. The process is significantly easier, more reliable, and much less costly.”
Mujin readies for MODEX 2022
Founded in 2011, Mujin has offices in Guangzhou, China, and Sandy Springs, Ga. The company said it works with many of the world's largest companies to make materials handling systems easier to deploy, more accurate, and less costly.
In addition to its mixed-case palletizing application, Mujin said it and partners will feature other automation at MODEX to show the future of the warehouse, including piece picking.
The company claimed that its flagship product, the MujinController, can give give robots real-time decision-making ability for autonomous, reliable, and production-capable applications. It controls robots from top vendors FANUC, Kawasaki, Mitsubishi, and Yaskawa Motoman using advanced sensing and real-time motion planning.
The MujinController guides the movement of any robot arm via machine intelligence, a new category of artificial intelligence that manages potential downtime through perception and decision making without the need for human intervention.
Mujin will also show autonomous systems from Material Handling Systems (MHS) and Tompkins Robotics at MODEX. The company said the robots use MujinController for logistics applications. MHS and Universal Robots will exhibit robots using the controller at their booths.
- MHS (Booth B7255): MHS will present its micro-fulfillment offering, including an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) from HAI Robotics and an intelligent piece-picking robot from Mujin. The overall solution is designed to fully automate the order-fulfillment process.
- Universal Robots (Booth B2805): Collaborative robots are moving from manufacturing into warehouses, noted Mujin. It said the combination of accessibility and ease of deployment with the MujinController is leading to new cobot applications such as mixed-case depalletizing.
Diankov to discuss modern micro-fulfillment
In the show’s theaters, directly across from Mujin’s booth, Diankov will share insights on how companies can use robotics to optimize their micro-fulfillment operations and what new technologies are empowering the next generation of warehouse automation.
- Micro-Fulfillment Empowered by Intelligent Robotics, March 28, 12:45 to 1:30 p.m., Micro-fulfillment Theater
- Intelligent Robotics for the Modern Warehouse, March 29, 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Emerging Technologies Theater
The global market for micro-fulfillment will grow to $36 billion by 2030, with an installed base of about 6,600 micro-fulfillment centers, according to LogisticsIQ.
Mujin will be displaying its robotic systems for material handling and logistics in booth B1407 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.
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