Tag: AGV|robotics|warehouse automation

Geek+, a global AMR leader, has successfully launched 100 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in the distribution centre of Circle K Hong Kong. The deployment represents the commitment of Geek+ and Circle K Hong Kong to build supply chain resilience using technology and support customers with a wide selection of products and excellent services.

Today, the distribution centre of 140,000 sq ft handles the deliveries of more than 300 Circle K convenience stores in Hong Kong, serving over 600,000 customers daily. With large volumes bound for different destinations and a wide selection of products ranging from small everyday items to food and cold goods, Circle K Hong Kong wanted to automate its warehouse and streamline large-scale logistics processes.

In January 2021, the company decided to transform its operations with 100 Geek+ AMRs, to ensure the effective daily handling of over 1,000,000 products.

Lit Fung, VP, and Managing Director of Geek+ APAC, UK and Americas, says: “We are excited to see our system support Circle K with the accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility needed to serve its wide network of convenience stores. Our AI-driven robotics system enables digitalisation for streamlining warehouse operations, which helps our customers improve competitiveness in an ever-changing environment.”

AMRs will automate many time-consuming and strenuous tasks traditionally performed by warehouse employees such as finding and moving goods around the warehouse. In turn, it creates a safer work environment for employees while improving overall employee productivity. Driven by intelligent software and QR-code technology, the network of robots will flexibly move racks of ordered goods from a designated area for inventory to employees positioned at workstations where they will finalise the picking process guided by the user-friendly interface.

It improves the overall picking accuracy and efficiency. The flexibility of movable robot-compatible racking, combined with the ability to choose the optimal route and organise inventory densely according to real-time demand, will improve space utilisation and bring more flexible supply chain operations. Additionally, AMRs can operate 24/7 to better support periods of high throughput demand.

Bruce Ma, Senior Supply Chain Manager of Circle K Hong Kong, says: “With substantial challenges facing our team, we aim to improve customers’ and employees’ experiences by reinventing our supply chain using automation technologies.”

With ever-changing markets and difficulties predicting future demand, flexibility through digitalisation and real-time visibility is key to building an agile supply chain.

Moving forward, Geek+ and Circle K Hong Kong will work closely to secure the smooth operations of the largest automated warehouse within Asia’s grocery industry and ensure the timely and accurate allocation of millions of quality products to Circle K’s wide network of convenience stores.

In signing a strategic partnership, Körber and Balyo, an integrator and developer of advanced autonomous fork-lift robots, will provide businesses worldwide with the latest technology in autonomous material handling equipment (MHE).

Balyo bridges the gap between traditional material handling equipment (MHE) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This includes forklift trucks, tow tractors (for tugging applications), stackers (for floors/low level pallet movements) and reach-robots (for high racks). Through PL-d level safety sensors and proprietary ‘Driven by Balyo’ technology for autonomous operations, robotic MHE can be seamlessly integrated into existing operations without the need for additional or change in clients’ infrastructures.

Robots are already increasingly supporting businesses around the globe to tackle challenges in goods movements in the warehouse. The partnership opens up new opportunities to businesses. Kӧrber will work with Balyo to integrate its range of robotics to overcome challenges associated with full pallets, bulk movements and heavy goods. The result is flexibility, agility and scalability – smoothly increasing throughput and productivity with company growth.

The solutions also enhance employee safety and efficiency. A safer work setting is provided through smart safety and stop-and-go features – scanning the environment in real time for obstructions and instructing the robotic truck or tow tractor to move or stop accordingly. The robotic lift trucks also overcome labour shortages. Rather than replacing employees, the solution enables them to carry out more valuable tasks while working alongside the robots.

Pascal Rialland, CEO of Balyo comments: “We are very pleased to pursue this collaboration with Kӧrber as we continue to develop a partner network that meets local and global needs for industry verticals and logistics customers. Kӧrber’s expertise in warehousing and logistics and their global presence reinforce the complementary nature of our two companies and are a major asset for deploying Balyo complementary solutions to our customers.”

Nishan Wijemanne, Global Leader AMR/Robotics, Körber Business Area Supply Chain explains: “Flexibility, adaptability and precision are everything in today’s supply chain. Our partnership with Balyo is a testament to Körber’s dedication to offer the right tools to make this a reality. Robotics bring a new level of performance to warehousing and logistics. Our expertise combined with Balyo’s unique solutions will empower business around the world to conquer today’s complexities and to evolve with consumer and industry demands to capitalise on all the future holds.”

Robotics and automation specialist RMGroup has announced a distributor partnership with ASTI Mobile Robotics, a leading European manufacturer of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The move will see RMGroup include AGVs and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in its extensive product portfolio of packaging machinery and robotic automation solutions.

ASTI Mobile Robotics Group, with offices in Spain, Germany, France and United States, provides automated intralogistics solutions for large manufacturers, helping them to optimise productivity, streamlining production processes and cutting operational costs.

The company specialises in the engineering of Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs), serving global blue-chip customers across a wide range of sectors, including automotive, aerospace, food, e-commerce, pharmaceutical and cosmetics. As part of its commitment to excellence and continuous improvement of its products and services, ASTI Mobile Robotics invests heavily in research and development year after year.

Having recently become the first integrator in the UK to be accredited under the RIA/BARA Robot Integrators’ Certification Scheme, the RMGroup supplies and manufactures a wide range of manual and automated packaging systems, including manual bagging machines, weighing systems, robot palletising systems, bulk filling and material handling systems, as well as supplying high-speed form fill and seal packaging lines.

Operating in the food & beverage, horticultural, aggregates, chemicals and agricultural industries, the company’s partnership with ASTI Mobile Robotics will provide a complementary offering.

Commenting on the partnership, RMGroup’s Rosie Davies, said: “Becoming a partner of ASTI Mobile Robotics provides a natural extension of our automation capabilities, meaning that we can now offer a seamless, integrated solution for all product and pallet handling requirements. Together we have a shared desire to remain the leaders in innovation within our respective fields, which will in turn provide a unique and unrivalled platform to support our customers.”

“We have key synergies with the RMGroup, who share similar core values. We very much look forward to developing our relationship in the future and creating opportunities to add value,” added Borja González López, ASTI’s partner network manager.