Robotics & Automation News

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Logistics

Alibaba business unit Cainiao shows off autonomous delivery vehicle

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Alibaba’s logistics business unit Cainiao has been demonstrating a small, autonomous vehicle designed for goods deliveries. 

Alibaba bought a controlling stake in Cainiao last year and said it would invest $15 billion into developing its logistics network and technologies.

This new vehicle may indicate the direction in which the companies are looking to go.

Cainiao is said to deliver more than 80 per cent of goods ordered through Alibaba websites, according to TechNode.com.

Alibaba is said to be the largest e-commerce company in the world.

 

Teradyne becomes leading power in collaborative robotics. Now owns MiR and Universal Robots

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US industrial giant Teradyne has become a powerful force in the collaborative robotics sector with the purchase of Mobile Industrial Robots, the maker of warehouse robots.

The new acquisition adds to Teradyne’s existing purchase of Universal Robots, which is the leading supplier of collaborative industrial robotic arms. Teradyne, which specialises in supplying automatic test equipment, generated approxmately $2.2 billion revenue in 2017.

Teradyne announced the acquisition of privately held MiR of Odense, Denmark for €121 million ($148 million) net of cash acquired plus €101 million ($124 million at current exchange rate) if certain performance targets are met extending through 2020. [Read more…] about Teradyne becomes leading power in collaborative robotics. Now owns MiR and Universal Robots

Moving with the times: Exclusive interview with Mobile Industrial Robots CEO

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Judging by the number of people who visit this website to read about warehouse robots, the interest in the sector has grown dramatically over the past year.

Automated guided vehicles have been around for a long time, but they required markings and sometimes rails to be placed on the ground in order to inform of their route, and there was nothing autonomous about them.

They did their job of moving material from place to place within a facility effectively enough, but the new generation of machines are autonomous and allow for far greater flexibility. [Read more…] about Moving with the times: Exclusive interview with Mobile Industrial Robots CEO

RightHand Robotics claims automated piece-picking ‘world record’

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RightHand Robotics, a provider of robotic piece-picking solutions, claims that a team of its automation partners have set a world record at the recent Modex supply chain event.

RightPick workcells successfully picked and placed 131,072 items over the duration of the show at the Georgia World Congress Center, says the company.

The workcells were featured in five exhibitor booths at the show, enabling partner companies to showcase how robotic piece-picking increases the value of their respective solutions for e-commerce fulfillment and intralogistics. [Read more…] about RightHand Robotics claims automated piece-picking ‘world record’

Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

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Geek Plus, a provider of warehouse automation solutions, says it will be launching two new warehouse robots at CeMAT, the material handling and logistics trade show taking place in Hannover, Germany next week. 

The company, which claims to be China’s leading supplier of warehousing and logistics solutions, will launch its P800 
picking robot and its M100 moving robot at the show.

Both robots will be equipped with what Geek Plus says is “cutting-edge advanced SLAM laser navigation technology”.  [Read more…] about Geek Plus to launch two new warehouse robots at CeMAT

Waypoint Robotics launches new technology for warehouse robots

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Waypoint Robotics says it is busy developing autonomous mobile robots “real-world applications to empower the workforce”.

The company recently unveiled a new system, called EnZone, for wirelessly charging robots, partnering with WiBotic to develop the technology.

Waypoint says EnZone is designed to work with any robot – even industrial arms and conveyors – and can complete the process even if the robot is misaligned and does not require human intervention.  [Read more…] about Waypoint Robotics launches new technology for warehouse robots

Vecna Robotics partners with RightHand Robotics to ‘streamline’ intralogistics and material handling

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Vecna Robotics, a maker of mobile robots for logistics, and RightHand Robotics, a developer of robotic picking solutions, have agreed on a collaboration that they say will improve the performance of e-commerce order fulfillment.

Together, the companies say they can offer “best-in-class solutions” to simplify intralogistics and material handling challenges.

John Hayes, vice president of sales and marketing of Vecna Robotics, says: “We’re excited to have this robust and cost-effective solution become available to all Vecna Robotics and RightHand Robotics customers through this collaboration.  [Read more…] about Vecna Robotics partners with RightHand Robotics to ‘streamline’ intralogistics and material handling

C3-XPO robot reduces on-site security incidents to ‘zero’

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XPO Logistics, a global provider of transport and logistics solutions, says its security robot program, launched in October 2017, has reduced incidents at its Atlanta, USA, logistics facility to zero in the first six months.

The autonomous security robot, named C3-XPO, monitors the car park and exterior of the site 24 hours a day.

XPO contracted robotics manufacturer Knightscope, Inc. to deploy a solution that provides a physical presence and interprets data in real time. In addition to eliminating car park incidents, C3-XPO has saved more than $125,000 in costs associated with six months of traditional security services.

[Read more…] about C3-XPO robot reduces on-site security incidents to ‘zero’

Honeywell launches new software for connected distribution centers

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Honeywell has launched a new software platform for distribution centers that the company says streamlines and simplifies complex e-commerce fulfillment operations.

The Momentum warehouse execution system from Honeywell Intelligrated brings together automated equipment, workflows, orders and labor in a unified platform to provide distribution center operators real-time visibility and help make operations more efficient.

The system provides e-commerce fulfillment, store replenishment and wholesale distribution center operations with shortened order cycle times, improved order accuracy and faster deliveries.  [Read more…] about Honeywell launches new software for connected distribution centers

The route to fulfilment: Exclusive interview with DHL robotics boss

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Exclusive interview with Denis Niezgoda, robotics accelerator lead at DHL

In this exclusive interview, Robotics and Automation News talks to Denis Niezgoda, robotics accelerator lead at DHL, who gets into details of the company’s automation strategy, highlights some challenges, and provides plenty of insight into numerous interesting initiatives DHL is currently engaged in. 

DHL, as many will know, is the world’s largest logistics company, and Niezgoda says that the German giant is forecasting “solid improvements” in global shipments, especially in its freight forwarding business – ocean freight, road freight, and rail freight – which are among its core business activities.

“One of the biggest growth factors is online shopping or e-commerce, where we see steady, low double-digit growth – not just only in domestic shipments, but what is getting much more interesting in the past one or two years is cross-border shipments,” says Niezgoda.  [Read more…] about The route to fulfilment: Exclusive interview with DHL robotics boss