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Logistics

Shopify to acquire 6 River Systems for $450 million

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Shopify, an e-commerce platform used by about 800,000 businesses around the world, has reached an agreement to acquire 6 River Systems, a supplier of collaborative warehouse robots and fulfillment solutions.

In June, Shopify introduced the Shopify Fulfillment Network, a fulfillment network to ensure timely deliveries, lower shipping costs, and reports “superb customer experience” for merchants and their customers.

Shopify says the acquisition is “a critical step” to accelerate its growth, while 6 River Systems will also continue to build and sell their solution for warehouses. [Read more…] about Shopify to acquire 6 River Systems for $450 million

ThyssenKrupp to invest over €70 million in European warehouses

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ThyssenKrupp’s material handling division is to invest more than €70 million in its European warehousing and logistics network.

The company – which claims to be “the western world’s biggest materials distributor” – says automation and digitalization will “significantly boost productivity”.

ThyssenKrupp Materials Services, the distribution and service provider of the ThyssenKrupp Group, says the €70 million investment in the modernization and expansion will include a state-of-the-art logistics center and new warehouses in Germany, Poland and Hungary. [Read more…] about ThyssenKrupp to invest over €70 million in European warehouses

Ground launches robotic picking solution

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Warehouse automation company Ground Inc has launched a robotic picking solution.

Called “SuperPick”, the company has been demonstrating the system at its research and development centre in Japan.

Ground says “SuperPick” is a combination of the latest vision technology and algorithm originally developed by Soft Robotics, and the material of the part that picks up the object called “hand” that has been patented. [Read more…] about Ground launches robotic picking solution

China’s largest food delivery company to test robots

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China’s largest food delivery company is to test robots, according to a report on Abacus News. 

Meituan employs more than 600,000 delivery drivers across China, and deals with more than 25 million orders a day.

The company is predicting growth of 200 per cent by 2025 and is reportedly testing the delivery robots – called “Xiaodai”, meaning “pouch” – in Beijing and Shenzen. [Read more…] about China’s largest food delivery company to test robots

CeMAT established as Russia’s leading intralogistics trade fair, says organiser

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CeMAT has established itself as Russia’s leading intralogistics trade fair, according to organiser Deutsche Messe.

CeMAT Russia is on a course for continued growth. Featuring more than 150 exhibitors, this year’s edition will be staged in two halls at the Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center in Moscow, with the first-time inclusion of the open-air site.

Leading exhibitors include companies like Beumer, Honeywell, Interroll, Haulotte, Kardex, Komatsu, Linde, Manitou, SAP, SSI Schaeffer, TVH and Vanderlande. [Read more…] about CeMAT established as Russia’s leading intralogistics trade fair, says organiser

Warehouse automation: Overview of infrastructure choices

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Get more details and statistics by downloading the white paper ‘Flexible v Fixed Infrastructure: The warehouses of today and tomorrow’

In these computer-dominated times, the word “infrastructure” can prompt people to think both of physical infrastructure, which we are focusing on here, as well as digital infrastructure.

Staying in the digital dimension for a moment, if you are planning to establish a warehouse, you are likely going to need to set up your data infrastructure first.

A Local Area Network, or LAN, covers your warehouse and the immediate vicinity, while the Wide Area Network will cover facilities in various locations and connect them all up to the head office, which may be in a separate place altogether. [Read more…] about Warehouse automation: Overview of infrastructure choices

Cleveron launches the world’s first ‘grocery robot’ with two temperature zones

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Everyone’s familiar with vending machines – the ones that dispense food and drinks after you pay into it, perhaps using cash or a card. 

But they’ve evolved into much larger systems which could be described as fully automated stores.

A company called Cleveron calls the automated stores it supplies “robots”, which makes us wonder yet again about the definition of a robot. [Read more…] about Cleveron launches the world’s first ‘grocery robot’ with two temperature zones

SLAM software paving the way for new generation autonomous mobile robots

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Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM), a software-and-hardware technology which enables a mobile device to map its environment while positioning itself within it, is a crucial driver for robotics.

SLAM will enable the transition from automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in the industrial space.

According to report by global tech market advisory firm, ABI Research, the installed base of SLAM-enabled commercial and industrial robots will exceed 15 million by 2030. [Read more…] about SLAM software paving the way for new generation autonomous mobile robots

Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding

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Starship Technologies, which makes an autonomous delivery robot, has closed $40 million in Series A funding.

The company, which has just become the first to complete 100,000 commercial deliveries, also announced that it plans to expand its service to 100 university campuses in the next 24 months.

Delivery robots arrived today at the University of Pittsburgh. Purdue University, Indiana is launching on September 9 with more following shortly. [Read more…] about Starship robots make 100,000 deliveries as startup raises $40 million in funding

GreyOrange partners with eight supply chain companies in the US

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GreyOrange, a warehouse and supply chain robotics company, says it has reached partnership agreements with eight warehouse industry leaders in the United States.

The companies are:

  • Avik Services;
  • Bricz;
  • Hy-Tek;
  • Info-Sun;
  • McCombs-Wall;
  • S&H Systems;
  • TREW; and
  • UST Global.

These companies will join forces with GreyOrange to help sell, integrate and service GreyOrange technology. [Read more…] about GreyOrange partners with eight supply chain companies in the US