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Logistics

6 River Systems strengthens capabilities of its warehouse robots

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6 River Systems, now part of leading global commerce company Shopify, says it has strengthened the capabilities of its warehouse robots.

6RS also released recommendations to its customers to further protect employees from pathogens during the picking process in warehouses and fulfillment centers, as well as “dark stores” – retail centers or distribution centers solely used for online order fulfillment.

The company’s recommendations span operational modifications, improvements to the hardware and software for its collaborative robot, Chuck, and highlight the availability of new products for its fulfillment solution. [Read more…] about 6 River Systems strengthens capabilities of its warehouse robots

Einride partners with Oatly to electrify transport

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Strategic partnership with Einride makes Oatly one of the world’s first to electrify transportation on commercial routes

Einride, a Swedish technology company that designs and develops technology for freight mobility, is partnering with Oatly, an oat drink company, to transition to a sustainable transport solution with all-electric vehicles in the Swedish market.

The partnership will commence in fourth quarter of 2020 in Sweden, making Oatly one of the world’s first companies to electrify transportation on commercial routes, according to the two partners.

With electric trucks, Einride will support the transport of Oatly’s finished oat-based products from their production facilities in Sweden, to intermediate destinations within the market. [Read more…] about Einride partners with Oatly to electrify transport

BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

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Automotive factories to incorporate artificial intelligence robots built on new Isaac platform from Nvidia

BMW Group has selected the new Nvidia Isaac robotics platform to enhance its automotive factories – utilizing logistics robots built on advanced AI computing and visualization technologies, the companies announced today.

The collaboration centers on implementing an end-to-end system based on Nvidia technologies – from training and testing through to deployment – with robots developed using one software architecture, running on Nvidia’s open Isaac robotics platform.

BMW Group’s objective is to enhance logistics factory flow to produce custom-configured cars more rapidly and efficiently. Once developed, the system will be deployed to BMW Group factories worldwide. [Read more…] about BMW selects Nvidia to ‘redefine factory logistics’

inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software

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inVia Robotics, a provider of warehouse automation solutions for e-commerce businesses, has added “social distancing features” to its inVia Logic software and inVia PickMate user tool.

inVia says the new features proactively keep workers at a safe distance from each other and also notify both warehouse workers and warehouse management if that distance is breached.

The company adds that this “helps businesses immediately enact safety first measures” as the economy starts to cautiously reopen, and have them in place as we navigate towards a new normal which will most certainly include increased e-commerce ordering. [Read more…] about inVia Robotics adds warehouse ‘social distancing features’ to its software

Contactless Culture: Delivery robots gaining interest during pandemic

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By David Chen, co-founder and CEO at Orbbec

No one need be reminded about the dangers of direct human contact during this difficult time.

On the front lines at hospitals and other essential services, where staffing is stretched to the limit, robots equipped with Orbbec 3D cameras are proving their value not only by restricting contact, but also providing necessary support.

Around the world, autonomous robots are enabling staff to do more by taking over mundane tasks and leaving skilled workers to focus on critical duties. [Read more…] about Contactless Culture: Delivery robots gaining interest during pandemic

Will Covid-19 accelerate the automation of parcel delivery?

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As the Coronavirus pandemic has forced more of us into our homes for much longer, our habits for just about every life task have changed. Essential groceries, projects around the house and more – deliveries to our door have especially been on the rise.

According to the British Retail Consortium, online grocery shopping has increased by 28% during the pandemic, while Amazon’s global sales spiked by a similar percentage in Q1 this year.

As we become more and more familiar and comfortable with buying products without the need to travel to a physical store, it is bound to cause a knock-on effect for the industry as a whole. [Read more…] about Will Covid-19 accelerate the automation of parcel delivery?

Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

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Gatik, a Palo Alto-based startup developing autonomous vehicles for business to business short-haul logistics, has launched a new platform to serve the supply chain’s so-called middle mile – the autonomous box truck. (See video below.)

Gatik’s self-driving fleet of multi-temperature box trucks range in size between 11 and 20 feet long. This makes Gatik the first company to develop autonomous box trucks capable of delivering ambient, cold and frozen goods.

Retailers today face unprecedented challenges in the supply chain, and autonomous delivery vehicles address two of the essentials: safety and reliability. [Read more…] about Gatik debuts ‘first-ever’ autonomous box truck fleet for logistics

Nuro puts its delivery robot into action against coronavirus

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Nuro, a California-based startup building small, wheeled autonomous delivery robots, is using its technology in the fight against the coronavirus outbreak in the US. (See video below.)

America now has the highest death toll in the world from Covid-19 and authorities have set up many temporarily hospitals and treatment centres across the country.

One of these temporary hospitals is located at the Sleep Train Arena, a basketball stadium which used to be the home of the Sacramento Kings, and another at the San Mateo County Event Center. [Read more…] about Nuro puts its delivery robot into action against coronavirus

FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

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FedEx has now started on the “next phase” of its electric vehicle rollout after initially launching construction on electronic direct current charging stations back in January.

One of the biggest logistics companies in the US, Federal Express has been using all-electric vehicles as part of its pickup-and-delivery fleet for more than 10 years.

Through a new agreement with Chanje Energy, the company plans to electrify 42 FedEx stations in California, making it one of the largest deployments of integrated charging infrastructure by a single commercial fleet to date. [Read more…] about FedEx and Chanje to develop electric vehicle charging infrastructure

BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories

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BMW is testing a range of “autonomous, connected and intelligent” technologies at its German facilities.

In fact, BMW and three partner companies from Bavaria are exploring the possibilities for making BMW Group Plant Dingolfing a smart factory for logistics.

It’s part of a three-year research project supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. [Read more…] about BMW tests ‘fully connected logistics’ system in one of its German factories