ULC Technologies and Con Edison Company, both of New York, have recently developed and field tested a machine that automates the termination of medium voltage cables to enable more reliable and resilient connections within the power grid and improve the safety of utility workers. This new field-demonstrable prototype Cable Splicing Machine will allow utility workers to improve the repeatability and consistency of critical connections within the electric grid by automating cable end preparation while minimizing worker exposure to high voltages. Safety at the forefront “At Con Edison worker safety is paramount,” said Patrick McHugh, senior vice president, Con Edison Electric…
Returns processing is a necessary, tedious and time consuming operation. Hence why it's it a prime candidate for robotic systems. In 2023, $743 billion in retail merchandise was returned - about 14.5% of sales - according to a National Retail Federation (NRF) and Appriss Retail report. The NRF also reported a full-year retail sales increase of 3.6% from 2022 to 2023. These hefty dollar amounts showcase just how necessary reverse-logistics operations remain as part of an organization's customer service process. Bedford, MA-based Berkshire Grey develops robotic sortation systems for retail and e-commerce distributors. In its “2022 State of Retail &…
Digital reality software services provider Hexagon AB recently announced the winners of its third “Sixth Sense” cohort for advanced manufacturing startups: Flexxbotics and Zaptic. Eight startups participated in the program run by the company’s Manufacturing Intelligence division. The program culminated with a pitching competition at the Sixth Sense Summit at CodeNode in London. Acerta Analytics was named the runner-up. Other startups that participated included Dessia, Launchpad, Rafinex, RV Magnetics, and ToffeeX. Hexagon to provide winners with resources for growth A panel of judges from Hexagon’s corporate leadership team selected the winners. Flexxbotics was selected for its workcell digitization technology for…
Nonprofit robotics innovation hub MassRobotics recently announced the first cohort of its MassRobotics Accelerator, which is funded through support from the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MassTech). The inaugural cohort was announced at MassRobotics annual partner’s celebration. The three month accelerator program began on February 5, 2024. $5 million initiative to support R&D, commercialization The MassRobotics Accelerator is funded by a recently-announced $5 million state initiative managed by MassTech to boost the robotics sector in Massachusetts. The initiative includes a focus on expansion of research and development (R&D), testing, commercialization, and workforce development throughout Massachusetts. Through the equity-free accelerator program, each participating…
Container- and truck-unloading robot developer Anyware Robotics recently announced it completed the first pilot of its Pixmo robot arm, with a commercial version planned for later in 2024. Anyware also announced it will demonstrate Pixmo at MODEX 2024 in booth A11227. The trade show will be held March 11-14 in Atlanta, GA. Anyware Robotics was founded in January 2023. The company raised $5 million in seed capital in March 2023, and said it is actively negotiating another round of funding to accelerate bringing Pixmo to market. Anyware said its robot arms can autonomously unload boxes in containers and trucks more…
Fox Robotics recently announced that its installed base of FoxBot autonomous trailer loader/unloaders (ATL) has unloaded over 2.5 million pallets since the company introduced it in 2019. At Manifest 2024 in Las Vegas, Fox Robotics displayed its autonomous forklift on the show floor. Autonomous forklifts in the warehouse “We created the Fox Robotics autonomous trailer loader/unloader to solve for the very critical automation of the warehouse gateway – the shipping and receiving dock,” said Marin Tchakarov, CEO and President at Fox Robotics. “In doing so, we’ve unlocked the last piece of the end-to-end automation puzzle, enabling logistics operators across many…
LAS VEGAS – Ocado Group recently announced a deal for Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA) to provide automated fulfilment technology at a distribution site for McKesson Canada. The deal will see Ocado sell its unique warehouse fulfilment technology in a sector outside of grocery retail for the first time, and provide the AI-powered software applications necessary to operate that technology long term. McKesson Canada is a leading diversified healthcare provider in Canada and is the largest pharmaceutical distributor in the country. OIA on display at Manifest At Manifest 2024 in Las Vegas, the organization had its Ocado Storage and Retrieval (OSRS)…
LAS VEGAS - Contract logistics provider GXO Logistics, Inc. recently announced it is partnering with California-based robotics developer Dexterity to pilot AI-enhanced robotics at a beauty brand’s warehouse. “We’re leading the charge on integrating automation into our customers’ supply chains to help them grow and meet their strategic objectives,” said Adrian Stoch, chief automation officer at GXO. “This pilot is especially exciting as it combines advanced robotics with artificial intelligence and machine learning into a practical application to make warehouse operations safer, more productive and more efficient.” AI-enhanced robots in the warehouse GXO is working with Dexterity, to develop robots…
Automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) manufacturer HWArobotics recently announced it deployed a system for third-party logistics (3PL) e-commerce fulfillment company Darwynn. Darwynn provides end-to-end localized warehousing and logistics services through an integrated e-commerce platform and modularized intelligent warehouse with real-time inventory tracking. The company was looking to streamline order fulfillment operations at its logistics facility in Toronto, Canada. HWArobotics describes its goods-to-person AS/RS installed at Darwynn’s facility as a multi-level shuttle system with 24 carts, 6 cart elevators, and 10,368 storage locations. During the first phase of Darwynn’s project, storage was configured as 3 double-deep aisles with 8 levels…
