Found in Robotics White Papers & Archives, with a score of 13.75
June 21, 2021
The exponential growth of ecommerce over the last few years means supply chain logistics need innovative solutions to answer new challenges. To support more drastic peaks, expectations of faster delivery times and increasing SKUs (stock-keeping units), ecommerce fulfillment operations are now prioritizing flexibility and scalability. However, due to increasing labor shortages, resulting in added temporary labor, the traditional approach to scale is no longer enough. Manual operations are too expensive, low in efficiency and always subject to errors. With the recent pandemic adding the extra need for human distancing, a new approach is needed. AMRs can support supply chains by…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 12.96
June 19, 2021
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed millimeter-sized robots that can be controlled using magnetic fields to perform highly maneuverable and dexterous manipulations. This could enable applications in biomedicine and manufacturing, they said this week. The team of scientists created the miniature robots by embedding magnetic microparticles into biocompatible polymers—non-toxic materials that are harmless to humans. The robots are “programmed” to execute their desired functionalities when magnetic fields are applied. The robots improve on many existing small-scale robots by optimizing their ability to move in six degrees of freedom (DoF), said Nanyang Technological University (NTU). It defined six…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 16.60
June 17, 2021
…told Robotics 24/7. “People now expect same-day delivery, and micro-fulfillment centers can help operators maximize real estate.” “The third trend is a shortage of labor, especially in the U.S., Israel, Europe, and Australia,” Yanovsky said. “Warehouse workers walk 10 miles per day and lift heavy boxes. Those [tasks] are better for robots to do, and we want to put people in other tasks.” “All of these trends brought customers to understand that they need robotics, but it's not easy,” she said. “Automation will impact their business format; it's not just realizing what they will or will not implement. Businesses need…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 2.86
June 15, 2021
One recent trend in supply chain automation is toward larger and more capable robots. Mobile Industrial Robots ApS today launched the MiR250 Hook, which can tow loaded carts weighing up to 1,100 lb. (500 kg). The Odense, Denmark-based company said the patented MiR250 Hook builds on its fastest and most compact mobile robot to help further optimize industrial workflows. “At workplaces worldwide, humans move thousands of carts and transport cages manually between departments, a highly repetitive and time-consuming task,” stated Søren E. Nielsen, president of Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). “With the highly precise and powerful MiR250 Hook, towing carts and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.86
June 11, 2021
Drone Express yesterday said that it has partnered with FarEye to provide autonomous drone deliveries for retailers in the U.S. East Hanover, N.J.-based Drone Express is a division of TELEGRID Technologies Inc. and provides commercial drone delivery services. Chicago-based FarEye said it offers “intelligent delivery orchestration solutions.” “The time has come for drone deliveries to become the new reality,” stated Gaurav Srivastava, co-founder of FarEye. “Retailers are facing new pressures due to the delivery boom and consumer demand and are showing interest in innovative delivery solutions like autonomous drones.” “Customers are used to Amazon Prime-like experiences, where they can schedule…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 29.73
June 10, 2021
Whether it’s computer chips, smartphone components, or camera parts, the hardware in many products is constantly getting smaller. The trend is pushing companies to come up with new ways to make the parts that power our world. Enter Boston Micro Fabrication (BMF). The company was co-founded by Nicholas Fang in 2016 to improve the resolution and precision of 3D printing. Today, BMF is helping customers in the race toward ever smaller parts by offering new kinds of printers that are being used to make electronics, medical devices, microfluidic chips, and more. The company’s machines use a technology co-developed by Fang…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.00
June 03, 2021
The inability to quickly, easily, and safely deploy industrial robots has been a barrier to entry for new users, but several companies are developing software to change that. Realtime Robotics Inc. today announced that it has completed $31.4 million Series A round of fundraising. The Boston-based company said it will apply the funding to accelerating product rollouts for its autonomous motion-planning technology. With productivity staying flat, and labor representing 60% to 65% of warehouse fulfillment costs, businesses are looking to deliver more with smart automation. Worldwide, companies spend an estimated $350 billion a year on warehousing, and they are increasing…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.08
June 02, 2021
DHL Supply Chain today announced that it plans to acquire up to 2,000 mobile robots from Locus Robotics Corp. as part of its wider Accelerated Digitalization Strategy. The global logistics company is expanding its four-year-old relationship with Locus in its largest deployment to date. “It is particularly important for us to be able to consistently optimize our supply chains—assisted picking robots are very effective in this respect,” stated Markus Voss, global chief operating officer and CIO of DHL Supply Chain. “So far, more than 500 assisted picking robots are already in industrial use in our warehouses in the U.S.A., Europe,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 7.75
June 02, 2021
Love them or hate them, comfortable footwear such as Crocs was in high demand as many people worked from home over the past year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. To deal with the spike in e-commerce demand, Crocs Retail LLC planned to move into a larger fulfillment facility. But in the meantime, it leased automation from 6 River Systems Inc. to improve throughput, reduce the effects of labor shortages, and optimize capacity. Sedlak Supply Chain Consultants helped Broomfield, Colo.-based Crocs see the potential benefit of working with 6 River Systems (6RS) with a distribution center site visit. “Sedlak came to…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 13.50
June 02, 2021
SK Inc. C&C and BriteLab Inc. today said they have agreed to jointly develop automation, artificial intelligence, and computer vision systems for global manufacturing businesses in the U.S. market. The companies said their collaboration will combine SK's manufacturing software and BriteLab's materials handling automation as they expand their offerings. “With our partnership with BriteLab, we look forward to expanding the global business together for the manufacturing vertical solutions business and will introduce customer-friendly digital services to meet the needs of BriteLab's manufacturing customers in the U.S.,” stated Young-dae Kim, director of digital new business development at SK Inc. C&C. SK…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 4.28
May 28, 2021
To meet its goals of e-commerce competitiveness, efficient client support, and environmental sustainability, DSV Panalpina A/S yesterday said it plans to expand its deployment of robotics from AutoStore Technologies A/S and software from Element Logic. The Danish third-party logistics provider's (3PL) multi-site rollout represents the 600th implementation of AutoStore's technology. “Our latest partnership with DSV is a positive milestone for AutoStore, representing a crucial part of our growth journey,” stated Karl Johan Lier, president and CEO of AutoStore. “They are an excellent partner for us to have on board, as both companies hold the same values of efficiency, innovation, and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 4.18
May 24, 2021
Applied Manufacturing Technologies, an automation engineering company supporting manufacturers, robot companies, systems integrators, line builders, and automation users worldwide, today announced a strategic partnership with robotic tooling and software manufacturer Soft Robotics Inc. “We have seen a sharp uptick in requests to provide specialized material handling solutions for a variety of industries,” stated Rick Vanden Boom, vice president of sales at Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT). “We are excited to partner with Soft Robotics as a preferred system integrator to best take advantage of their unique gripping technologies and software.” Founded in 1989, Applied Manufacturing Technologies said it has more than…
