Material Handling / Logistics / Supply Chain
OSARO, which develops and deploys advanced robotics for e-commerce companies, has announced a partnership with Zenni, an online eyewear retailer. The partnership will help Zenni automate the “last meter” of Zenni’s fulfillment center in Novato, Calif., with three OSARO Robotic Bagging Systems readying eyewear orders for shipment to U.S. customers.
Universal Robots, the Denmark-based manufacturer of collaborative robots (aka cobots), has announced a new 20kg payload cobot to its lineup of robots. The UR20 boasts an all-new design based on the company’s experience in refined engineering, featuring an entirely new joint design to allow for faster cycle times and the ability to handle heavier loads.
Read more: Universal Robots Adds 20kg Industrial Cobot to...
Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) has announced new software that enables more robust and scalable autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for faster missions, tighter integration with other systems, and enhanced security features. The first phase of the software is now available for individual robots or entire fleets.
Amazon has announced that customers in Lockeford, Calif., will be among the first to receive Prime Air drone deliveries in the U.S. later this year.
Read more: Amazon Set to Deliver Via Drones in California...
Kodiak Robotics, which is developing self-driving truck technology, has announced a technical partnership with Southern Tire Mart / Southern Tire Mart at Pilot, demonstrating that its pre-calibrated, pre-built SensorPods can be completely removed and replaced by a mechanic without specialized training. The goal is to eliminate the need for a specialized technician to replace AV sensors, especially when long-haul trucks may need service in remote areas.
Read more: Kodiak Robotics Demonstrates Ease of Maintaining...
Canadian-based OTTO Motors, which develops autonomous mobile robots, has announced new software that gives customers better visibility and depth into their fleet’s performance. The new tools include ways for customers to analyze their system, identify risks, and optimize an AMR-driven material flow.
AMP Robotics, which develops artificial intelligence, robotics and infrastructure for the waste and recycling industry, has announced an expansion of its presence in Europe to meet demand and provide dedicated local support and services.
Croatia-based Gideon has announced the launch of Casey, an autonomous case picking and process optimization solution to help companies manage labor shortages and surging demand for products.
Read more: Gideon Launches Casey, an Optimized AMR for Case...
Robotic systems integrator Shape Process Automation (SPA) has announced a collaboration with Mujin to enhance its automation solutions with Mujin’s intelligent robotics platform. The two companies plan to showcase a Mujin-powered mixed-case depalletizing and palletizing solution at the upcoming Automate 2022 show in Detroit, June 6-9.
Walmart has announced it plans to expand its DroneUp delivery network to 34 sites by the end of the year, with the potential of reaching 4 million U.S. households across six states – Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Texas, Utah, and Virginia. The retailer said the expansion would give them the ability to deliver more than 1 million packages by drone in one year.
Read more: Walmart Expands Drone Delivery via DroneUp Network
While exhibitors at Xponential 2022 provided an abundant array of products and components for unmanned systems, particularly impressive was Aergility’s ATLIS cargo UAV, a 24.33-foot wingspan hybrid-powered eVTOL cargo transport airplane.
Symbotic LLC and Walmart have announced an expanded commercial agreement to implement Symbotic’s robotics and software automation platform in all 42 of Walmart’s regional distribution centers over the coming years. This agreement expands on Walmart’s prior commitment to deploy Symbotic Systems in 25 regional distribution centers.
Read more: Walmart, Symbotic Expand Automation Partnership...
Soft Robotics has announced it expanded the commercial focus for its mGripAI artificial intelligence-enabled picking solutions, to include the consumer goods, e-commerce and logistics industries. The combination of 3D vision, AI and soft grasping gives industrial robots the dexterity and hand-eye coordination of human workers, enabling their use in unstructured applications that include order fulfillment, sortation, decanting, and kitting, the company said.
Gatik, which develops autonomous vehicles for middle-mile logistics tasks, has announced it will be expanding operations to Kansas following the signing of Senate Bill 313 into law by Governor Laura Kelly. The Kansas law enables the deployment of fully autonomous trucks on public roads in the state.
Aurora Innovation and FedEx Corp. have announced the expansion of its pilot program to autonomously move FedEx shipments on an additional commercial lane in Texas.
Read more: Aurora, FedEx Expand Autonomous Trucking Pilot...
Seegrid, which develops autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling companies, has announced launching its Seegrid Help Center. The new customer resource and online knowledge base gives customers in logistics, e-commerce, and manufacturing exclusive access to specialized insights, product information, and innovative mobile automation use cases curated by Seegrid’s engineering, service, and support teams.