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Logistics

Warehouse automation: Plenty of room for robots

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The US has almost 10 billion square feet of warehousing space, according to research consultancy CBRE, which says 1 billion sq ft of that space was built in the past 10 years. 

Among the geographical areas with the highest number of warehouses are:

  1. Los Angeles :: 10,161 warehouses
  2. Chicago :: 7,042
  3. Northern New Jersey :: 5,208
  4. Boston :: 4,222
  5. Orange County :: 4,162
  6. Central New Jersey :: 3,926
  7. Oakland :: 3,580
  8. Detroit :: 3,542
  9. Denver :: 2,744
  10. St Louis :: 2,636

The vast majority of warehouses – even the new ones – are not automated to a significant extent, and if it is, it’s most likely with what might be considered traditional technology, meaning conveyors and human-driven forklift trucks.  [Read more…] about Warehouse automation: Plenty of room for robots

ASTI to showcase its mobile robotics tech at Hannover Messe

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ASTI Mobile Robotics will present intelligent and connected AGVs for Industry 4.0 implementation in Hannover Messe 2019, from 1 to 5 April.

Under the banner of “Smart and connected intralogistics solutions”, the mobile robotic engineering company will show its proposals for the digital transformation of industry.

ASTI will show its latest innovations in intralogistics in Hannover Messe, including its new revolutionary “goods to person” solution for warehouse intelligent management.

[Read more…] about ASTI to showcase its mobile robotics tech at Hannover Messe

50,000 warehouses to use 4 million robots by 2025, says report

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More than 4 million commercial robots will be installed in over 50,000 warehouses by 2025, according to a report by ABI Research.

The 50,000 figure represents a massive expansion of the market from the current situation in which an estimated 4,000 warehouses were found to be using robots in 2018.

ABI says the rapid rate of adoption will be driven by the need for flexible, efficient, and automated e-commerce fulfillment as same-day delivery becomes the norm.  [Read more…] about 50,000 warehouses to use 4 million robots by 2025, says report

Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

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The leading Norwegian retailer Coop Norway has selected Swisslog as its partner for the extensive development of their distribution center in Langhus, south of Oslo, Norway.

The distribution center will be built for Coop Norway’s rapidly growing retail and e-commerce sales within the non-food segments such as building materials, sports, electronics, and home products.

Henning Røberg, Coop Norway’s project manager for its Langhus distribution center, says: “We conducted a comprehensive tendering process with high demands for cost-efficiency, flexibility and scalability. Swisslog turned out to be the automation provider that best met our demands.”  [Read more…] about Coop Norge selects Swisslog to develop new automated distribution center

Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university

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Starship Technologies and Sodexo have launched a robot food delivery service at Northern Arizona University in partnership with several restaurants

It’s something your mom always told you – eat your breakfast – and now college students are starting to do just that, thanks to Starship robots and Sodexo.

Research has shown that up to 88 percent of college students skip breakfast, primarily because of lack of time, but that number is starting to turn around when delivery robots arrive on campus.

Starting today, students at Northern Arizona University’s Flagstaff campus will have the convenience of receiving food delivered by robot.  [Read more…] about Starship and Sodexo send more delivery robots to university

Geek Plus Robotics to partner with leading Chinese automaker and supply its driverless forklift

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Geek Plus Robotics is to partner with automaker FAW, and supply its new autonomous forklift to the company.

FAW is one of the “Big Four” automakers in China, along with SAIC Motor, Dongfeng, and Chang’an.

Geek Plus says it has been contracted to “empower FAW Group’s intelligent innovation reformation by offering a full-process automatic in-plant logistics solution”.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus Robotics to partner with leading Chinese automaker and supply its driverless forklift

Airbus’ Skyways drone trials world’s first shore-to-ship deliveries

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Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone.

This marks the first time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions to deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage.

The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to the Swire Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel M/V Pacific Centurion, 1.5 km from the shoreline of Singapore’s Marina South Pier, carrying 1.5 kg of 3D printed consumables.

[Read more…] about Airbus’ Skyways drone trials world’s first shore-to-ship deliveries

E-commerce to accelerate application of droids and drones, says Zebra study

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The e-commerce sector is accelerating the need for droids and drones, according to a new report, which adds that seven in 10 enterprises say e-commerce is also “driving the need for faster field operations”.

Zebra Technologies, a business technology provider, has published the results of its latest vision study on the Future of Field Operations.

The study reveals mobile technology investment is a top priority for 36 percent of organizations and a growing priority for an additional 58 percent to keep up with rapidly evolving and increasing customer demand. [Read more…] about E-commerce to accelerate application of droids and drones, says Zebra study

PalTac selects RightHand Robotics to further automate supply chain operations

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of robotic piece-picking solutions, has partnered with PalTac, Japan’s largest wholesaler of consumer packaged goods.

The collaboration will introduce RightHand’s newest piece-picking solution to the Japanese market, with multiple workstations to be installed in PalTac’s newest facility, RDC Saitama, opening later in 2019 in Sugito, Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Japan represents a huge and growing market for automation as the world’s second-largest retail sector, with annual sales exceeding $1.3 trillion.  [Read more…] about PalTac selects RightHand Robotics to further automate supply chain operations

Unex to showcase new order-picking solutions at ProMat

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Unex Manufacturing, a provider of order picking solutions, will be exhibiting its order picking and storage solutions at the ProMat Show. 

Attendees at the show will see the latest Unex solutions that maximize space, improve productivity, and increase efficiencies in the warehouse, distribution center or manufacturing plant.

Brian Neuwirth, president of Unex Manufacturing, says: “This year our booth theme is ‘Save Space. Save Money,’ and we will show real-life examples of how Unex solutions help save space, time and money in order picking operations.  [Read more…] about Unex to showcase new order-picking solutions at ProMat