Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.68
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 3.66
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 3.66
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 3.63
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…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.63
ForwardX Robotics this week launched the Flex 60-SW at Logistic-Tech Tokyo 2023—The Third Innovation Expo. The company said its latest vision-based autonomous mobile robot, or AMR, includes automatic weighing scales and an interactive touchscreen to improve picking accuracy in the warehouse. “The introduction of Flex 60-SW marks an exciting milestone for ForwardX Robotics,” stated Nicholas Chee, CEO of ForwardX. “We are proud to establish a new standard for excellence in the industry by offering AMRs that not only increase productivity, but also elevate picking operations to truly astonishing levels of precision.” “This innovation empowers our clients to adeptly navigate the…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.63
It’s time to begin automating your warehouse to keep pace with business. Either through growth in e-commerce or a restructuring of the distribution center network, many warehouses that used to do fine with mostly manual methods need automation to adapt to new requirements. That decision process for automation used to center on an analysis of historical demand patterns. But what happens when e-commerce sends assumptions around order mix and volume out the window? The answer, say providers of warehouse automation, is that the reasons why you automate begin to change. It’s less about raw efficiency in processing large batches of…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.62
As robotics startups grow from university spinouts to commercial enterprises, they need to explain their value proposition to potential customers. To get the most out of media campaigns and other initiatives, such companies can work with public relations partners. Brandstyle Communications last month announced a dedicated Robotics Practice, the first in its business-to-business portfolio. “Brandstyle Robotics marks the beginning of a series of dedicated practices launching within the agency,” stated Zoe Weisberg Coady, founder and CEO of Brandstyle Communications. “Providing high-level strategy—akin to in-house counsel—has allowed us to be the go-to PR partner for renowned brands and companies across a…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.62
As labor shortages and logistics challenges continue to strain global supply chains, operators are looking for easier ways to adopt automation. Berkshire Grey Inc. last week said it has partnered with Logistex to serve Europe's leading pure-play e-commerce companies, retailers, and third-party logistics providers. The partners said they will combine Berkshire Grey's artificial intelligence and robots with Logistex's experience as a systems integrator. “Berkshire Grey’s robotic solution portfolio is incredibly robust. By addressing some of the most labor-intensive warehouse processes and handling the broadest range of SKUs, their systems can solve operational challenges across our customer base,” stated Andy Branch,…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.61
“You’re not buying automation, you’re buying confidence in throughput.” Yaro Tenzer, co-founder, RightHand Robotics A few Modex’s ago, I wrote a column titled It’s All About The Software, a theme I repeated following Promat 2015. It could be that I’m just not that imaginative a guy, or, the proverbial dog stuck on a bone. But at Modex 2020, I was struck once again by just how software is driving our industry today. It was especially true talking to robotics solutions providers. On the first day of the show, for instance, I stopped by 6 River Systems’ booth to learn about…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.61
OMRON has opened a new automation center that will cater to the logistics industry in Singapore, South-East Asia, and Oceania. The center will use Open Robotics’ Robotics Middleware Framework, or RMF, and will have interoperability with “complex and heterogenous multi-robot systems.” “This is an important step toward enabling stronger and seamless human-machine collaboration, where mobile robots, using natural or existing infrastructure, perform autonomous movement of goods (handling, moving, and storing warehouse assets) as they work alongside humans,” the company said. OMRON working to address Asia-Pacific needs Kyoto, Japan-based OMRON said it will work with its industry partners in robotics and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.60
Not only did the COVID-19 pandemic accelerate e-commerce demand; it also altered consumer expectations of fast and accurate order fulfillment. From unloading trucks and pallets to taking inventory in warehouses and each picking, robots can assist shorthanded operations at each step. Even brick-and-mortar stores can benefit from automation. In this free webcast, industry experts will discuss how both online and traditional retailers can take advantage of automation as peak season approaches. They will also discuss the importance of collecting and analyzing data to provide timely and actionable insights. Date: Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022 Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT Retailers, hotels, and…
Found in Robotics News & Content, with a score of 3.60
Big Data, Industry 4.0, the Internet of Things, the Amazon Effect—no matter what your business is up against, it’s probably safe to say your warehousing and distribution operations do not look like they did five years ago. Start-ups have shaken up the solutions landscape with innovative software, hardware and go-to-market strategies. Established systems suppliers have made meaningful shifts in how they provide solutions and services. In the process, the warehousing and distribution playing field has leveled somewhat. Thanks to consumer demands, massive automated facilities and mom-and-pop shops are expected to deliver similar service. And, thanks to faster and cheaper technology,…