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Tag: AMR

Locus Robotics expands range with new AMRs

Posted on by David Priestman

Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfilment warehouses, announced at MODEX that it has expanded its line of warehouse AMRs with the introduction of Locus Vector and Locus Max.

These new form factors join the Locus Origin robot to form a comprehensive family of AMRs for a broad range of warehouse use cases. The new line addresses use cases from ecommerce, case-picking, and pallet-picking to scenarios requiring larger, heavier payloads to support the full range of product movement needs in today’s fulfilment and distribution warehouses.

“With these new LocusBots, we’re able to help our clients alleviate significant labour challenges and achieve optimal productivity by using the right bot for the job,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Locus is the proven leader in developing highly productive and innovative AMR technology that efficiently solves our customers’ needs for total warehouse optimisation, while delivering a fast time to value.”

“Locus’s innovative multi-bot solution has helped DHL to consistently double our workers’ productivity all around the world,” added Adrian Kumar, Global Head of Operations Science & Analytics at DHL Supply Chain. “This new robot line-up – with the different form factors all working together as a coordinated fleet – means we always assign the right robot, even as our needs change dynamically throughout the workday.”

The LocusBots are fully integrated within LocusOne, the intelligent, multi-bot warehouse orchestration platform that delivers predictable, efficient, and scalable productivity and cost optimisation for all product movement within the four walls of the warehouse. The platform seamlessly centralizes and coordinates a dynamic, multi-bot fleet while also providing detailed, forward-looking, and actionable business intelligence and reporting for effective management and planning.

The new offerings further extend Locus’s position as the industry AMR leader for the automation and digitisation of warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres to meet increasing order volumes, labour shortages, and rising consumer expectations.

The new line of LocusBots consists of:

Locus Origin – Engineered for maximum warehouse efficiency, Locus Origin delivers proven fulfilment productivity coupled with agile manoeuvrability, incorporating the latest navigation and vision system technologies. It works easily and collaboratively with associates in dynamic warehouse environments.

Locus Vector – The industrial-strength AMR with the flexibility for a wide range of roles from fulfilment to transport to putaway. Locus Vector features omnidirectional mobility, compact design, and robust payload capacity for use in any environment. Locus Vector will ship to customers starting this summer.

Locus Max – Heavyweight payload capacity and unparalleled flexibility to easily transport a wide variety of heavy materials, cartons, or pallets across your facility. Locus Max is ideal for industrial and material handling applications. Currently deployed at several sites, Locus Max will have limited availability in 2022 and expanded availability in 2023.

All LocusBots will be available through the company’s all-inclusive, Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) pricing model and can be added to existing and new workflows, enabling operations to dynamically scale and adapt to changing market demands.

 

Geek+ and Bosch Rexroth extend robotics partnership

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, and Bosch Rexroth, a world-leading provider of drive and control technology, have signed a strategic channel agreement for North America in March 2022. The partnership has already borne fruit in the form of a unique version of Geek+’s MP1000R moving robot augmented with the laser localisation software ROKIT Locator by Bosch Rexroth.

These robots could automatically distribute materials to production line in Bosch Rexroth’s plant in Changzhou, China. The software ROKIT Locator works in parallel with Geek+’s simultaneous localisation and mapping (SLAM) technology and offers AMRs perfectly suited to manufacturing scenarios.

In view of the vast market opportunities, Geek+ and Bosch Rexroth have agreed to facilitate resource sharing, deepen cooperation, and create more intelligent logistics solutions for their customers.

Emil Hauch Jensen, General Manager, Smart Moving and Forklift Products, Overseas Business at Geek+ said: “We are very excited to unveil this new SLAM technology for AMRs jointly developed with Bosch Rexroth. The partnership will provide our customers with several products and solutions to accelerate the implementation of intelligent moving robots that will drive the intelligent transformation of the manufacturing industry.”

Armando Gonzalez , Business Leader AMR/Robotics at Bosch Rexroth, said: “The signing of this North American strategic channel agreement with Geek+ is another milestone in the cooperation between our two companies. We applaud Geek+’s brand concept, professionalism, and reliable products and solutions. From cooperation in product development to cooperation in the channel market, we firmly believe that our two companies’ innovativeness and expansion strength will be increased. We will work together to create more competitive world-class products and a complete ecological experience.”

In the future, Geek+ will continue to implement its ecosystem-enabling strategy and work closely with partners to promote the overall intelligent transformation of supply chain operations around the world, empowering global customers to respond quickly to market demands and promote business growth.

Europa agrees AMR cooperation with Geek+

Posted on by David Priestman

A meeting was held in November 2021 at the Headquarter of Europa Systems in Żabów, Poland between the representatives of Geek+ and Europa Systems to discuss the cooperation between the companies and sign a letter of intent.

The cooperation will involve partnership in the area of using Geek+’s broad robots portfolio for Europa Systems’ integration projects, as well as partnership in the area of providing maintenance services for Geek+.

Marcin Tomkiewicz, CEO of Europa Systems, explained: “One of Europa Systems’ important goals as part of the new 2020-2024 strategy is to grow the robotics solutions portfolio. Cooperation with a global Autonomous Mobile Robots leader which is Geek+ fully aligns with our business assumptions. This partnership will enable us to provide cutting-edge AMR technology, which addresses key challenges e.g. in the area of e-commerce, ensuring higher speeds and greater flexibility in moving goods.”

Successful implementation of autonomous robots in distribution centres, warehouses and factories requires innovative technology delivered by the supplier (Geek+), but also expertise in intralogistics processes as well as experience in AMRs implementations  provided by the integrator (Europa Systems).

“Cooperation with Europa Systems will be an important strengthening of our European system integrator ecosystem. We are very excited about the potential of our new Partner for intralogistics projects,” explained Claus Folke, Senior Director, Business Development Europe, Geek+.

The partnership between Geek+ and Europa Systems is a common path to develop flexible and scalable warehouse automation systems and production logistics responding to the increasingly complex logistic challenges.

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Geek+ helps transform CEVA’s e-commerce operations

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, has successfully deployed AMRs in CEVA Logistics’s Truganina warehouse. CEVA is a global third-party logistics (3PL) provider looking for new and innovative automation solutions to better serve its Australian ecommerce clients. Implemented by Körber Supply Chain, the project greatly improves efficiency and productivity in the warehouse, ensuring smoother order fulfillment for CEVA’s customers.

Lit Fung, Geek+’s Managing Director for APAC, UK, and Americas, said: “Today, an accelerated demand for fast order fulfilment has created a challenging scenario for businesses everywhere. In Australia, a booming e-commerce landscape has made ‘delivery services’ the determining factor of who’s going to come out on top. Using smart robot automation, CEVA has turned a challenge into an opportunity that will allow them to set the standard and gain considerable advantages.”

With upwards of 500,000 sq m of warehouse space and 1,350 employees, the site in Australia is one of the largest warehouses in the southern hemisphere. When a leading online shoe store experienced rapid growth, CEVA began looking at ways it could help the company meet consumers’ demands for speed and cost of delivery.

Previously, CEVA would have had to add more employees to an already labour-intensive process, with 12 to 15 employees using radiofrequency picking devices to complete one order. Today, Geek+ autonomous mobile robots intelligently and flexibly move mobile inventory racks and pallets to picking stations, saving employees time that would otherwise be spent walking around finding and picking inventory. The result is an overall improvement in employee comfort and logistical efficiency, as well as considerable savings.

“Thanks to Geek+’s AMR technology, we now have a very fast and efficient picking productivity and throughput solution,” said Milton Pimenta, CEVA Logistics’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Following the project’s seamless implementation, CEVA saw an immediate improvement in key performance indicators, most notably a fourfold increase in picking efficiency. CEVA plans to use the solution to support its wide customer base, securing its leadership position as a first-rate logistics provider.

“CEVA feel that a number of their clients could benefit from AMR technology. As this was the first pilot project for the business, it was extremely important that we delivered on our predictions,” said Ravi Nath, Körber Supply Chain’s head of automated solutions for Australia and New Zealand.

Geek+ will continue to work closely with Körber to help scale operations across regions and support CEVA with efficient, accurate, and flexible AMR solutions for the company’s wide network of global customers.

 

 

 

GEODIS commits to Geek+ AMR fleet

Posted on by David Priestman

GEODIS has announced the deployment of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) from Geek+, a global technology company specialised in smart logistics through advanced robotics and artificial intelligence (AI), at its Yuen Long Warehouse Distribution Centre (YLDC) in Hong Kong, SAR China.

The YLDC will be provided with an exclusive AMR operating area with QR coding to guide automated operations. The smart facility underlines GEODIS’ digital-first outlook to future operations.

Onno Boots, Regional President & CEO, Asia Pacific, said: “Our investments in this AI-driven automation system brings substantial value to GEODIS’ eCommerce and retail customers by addressing some of the key challenges they face today. These solutions not only bring long-term cost-savings, operational efficiencies, and safety, but also enable us to maintain high-quality control standards while providing customers greater speed and flexibility of movement of goods.”

GEODIS’ initial project AMR deployment features customised storage racks and shelves that do not require aisles in between while parked. This high-density storage buffer allows GEODIS to maximise its storage capacity for improved customer fulfilment processes. Furthermore, the Geek+ robots will be used for locating, tracking, and moving inventory through “Goods-to-Person Picking” solutions. This method allows orders to be delivered directly to pick and pack stations, eliminating any movement time needed by operators to search for items.

In addition to improved real estate utilisation, AMR adoption minimises manual labour and reduces the risk of human error—improving picking accuracy and reducing inventory count errors. The use of AMR will also mitigate some of the challenges brought on by COVID-19, such as social distancing protocols in warehouses.

“Today’s announcement demonstrates GEODIS’ continued commitment to innovation and its momentum in addressing the increasingly complex production and challenges in the Hong Kong Contract Logistics (HKCL) landscape in the last two years,” Chris Cahill, Managing Director, North Asia Sub-Region said. “In the long run, digital solutions and technologies like robotics and AI give us more data and insights so we can continue to finesse our operations to fulfil the needs of our customers.”

“The announcement reveals Geek+‘s determination to support companies worldwide with technologies that can streamline operations, transforming the global supply chain to address increasingly complex logistics challenges,” added Lit Fung, VP and Managing Director of Geek+ APAC, UK and Americas. “We will continue help GEODIS better manage changes in demand, quickly scale in line with business growth, and provide customers with better products and service capabilities.”

The Geek+ solution advances GEODIS‘ goal of boosting its smart logistics portfolio and provides a competitive edge to meet the rising demands for agility and accuracy amidst soaring demand in the eCommerce, retail and FMCG segments. GEODIS has around 250 autonomous mobile robots worldwide.

Autonomous Mobile Robots deployed in logistics centres in Japan

Posted on by David Priestman

Musashi AI, a group company of Japanese Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd., has successfully completed a POC for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) at Suzuyo & Co. Ltd, a leading Japanese 3PL company, in partnership with Israeli 634AI, a Musashi Group affiliated company and the developer of MAESTRO, an industrial automation and mobility management software.

Suzuyo, a Japanese logistics conglomerate with an annual turnover of circa $ 1.2 Billion, successfully tested Musashi AI’s AMR powered by MAESTRO, a platform-agnostic control tower for logistics automation developed by Israeli company 634AI. The AMR autonomously moved pallets in the facility from one location to another smoothly and efficiently. The POC was performed in Suzuyo’s Shinshizuoka distribution centre in Shizuoka prefecture.

Following the successful POC, the companies are now engaged in scale-up discussions to deploy 634AI’s cutting edge MAESTRO navigation and fleet management software with MusashiAI’s AMRs across Suzuyo’s distribution centres in Japan.

634AI and MusashiAI have been partnering since mid-2019 to leverage the unique combination of Israeli cutting-edge AI and computer vision software technology with Japanese world-renowned hardware engineering and industrial expertise, to bring practical, state of the art solutions to the Japanese market. Musashi AI’s core business is AI visual inspection and 634AI’s core business is software development for industrial mobility orchestration, including for AMRs. The companies plan to further increase their R&D and commercial collaboration.

Onn Fenig, CEO of 634AI said: “We are honoured to be partnering with Musashi and Suzuyo, two global industrial giants, to introduce the sizable benefits of our MAESTRO software system. This Proof of Concept has been another excellent showcase of our MAESTRO software, demonstrating its unique capabilities for orchestrating indoor logistics while providing insightful information to facilitate safe and effective floor operations. We are humbled and proud that Suzuyo is considering adopting our MAESTRO AMR navigation and Fleet Management software in their facilities across Japan.”

Murata Sota, CEO of Musashi AI said: “Our proprietary AMR technology, fully compatible with 634AI’s MAESTRO industrial mobility management software, is just another example of our vision to introduce practical solutions that solve real human problems. In a world of labor shortage, autonomous logistics becomes a viable solution for many companies wanting to increase their resilience and business continuity, especially following a global pandemic such as COVID-19.”

Ken Kawashima, General Manager of 3PL Business Development Department at Suzuyo said: “We are always thinking about improving the safety, quality and productivity of our distribution centers and providing our customers with a high level of distribution service. We believe MAESTRO offers a virtually unique ability to manage AMRs, and allows humans and robots to work together in sophisticated hybrid environments. Both Musashi AI and 634AI have the power to make the world’s logistics network function more efficiently than ever. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with these companies.”

Technologies Partner to Accelerate Intelligent Automation

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global leader in autonomous mobile robots and warehouse automation, and Boreal Technologies SA, a key provider of mobile solutions in Latin America, announce the beginning of a strategic partnership. The cooperation represents both parties’ commitment to helping early adopters realize a successful transition towards intelligent logistics and manufacturing and advance automation, digitalization, and optimization of supply chain operations across South America.

Randy Randolph, Senior Sales Manager of Geek+ US, said: “We are excited to partner with Boreal Technologies and leverage their expertise and wide customer base to advance our regional expansion in South America. Last year, we saw the successful implementation of our robotics-driven Goods-to-Person solution in Walmart Chile’s warehouse to help them manage the growth in e-commerce. In turn, we look forward to continuing to support retailers, 3PLs, and manufacturers across the continent with tailored robotics solutions that can help them gain short and long-term competitiveness.”

Geek+ AI-driven mobile robot solutions bring significant efficiency, accuracy, flexibility, and cost-saving advantages. By connecting networks of AI-driven mobile robots managed by an intelligent RMS (robot management system) to customers’ WMS, it will optimize the process for finding, sorting, or moving ordered goods, enabling faster and accurate order fulfillment. By letting mobile robots organize inventory according to real-time demand, it improves the ability to adapt. Automatic self-charging enables 24/7 automated operations to help businesses flexibly manage periods of high throughput requirements. With no need for fixed infrastructure, the implementation process does not take more than three months. Should there be a need to expand operations, it’s easy to add new robots without investing in additional warehouse space. The software interface is also highly user-friendly, enabling a fast transition and a low training cost for employees.

Roberto Fuhr, CEO of Boreal Technologies, says: “The broad range of Geek+ mobile robot solutions fits perfectly with our strategic focus and growth plans. We look forward to providing our clients with seamless automation capabilities and support them with end-to-end solutions to manage the challenges of current and future supply chain operations.” Today, e-commerce is gaining traction with an expanding millennial population, escalating the need for solutions that can improve efficiency, lower operating costs, and build supply chain resilience. The strategic partnership aims to facilitate the transition towards intelligent supply chain operations and accelerate industry 4.0 in South America.

200 Million Robot Landmark

Posted on by David Priestman

AMR maker Locus Robotics is celebrating a picking milestone that cements its place as a key player in fulfilment logistics, reports Paul Hamblin.

Locus Robotics, which manufactures autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for fulfilment warehouses, has achieved a major milestone in its relatively short history with the announcement that its robots have completed their 200 million units picked landmark. The milestone, achieved by a company in the UK, came during the pre-peak season period leading into the critical Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales period. Read the whole article here.

“We are thrilled to have reached the 200 million units picked milestone,” said Rick Faulk, CEO, Locus Robotics. “As more and more shoppers move online, and as we quickly approach what is expected to be the biggest – and most challenging – holiday retail season yet, retailers are turning to AMRs to innovate to meet growing demand and avoid risking losing valuable customers.”

The 200,000,000th pick occurred at a Boots UK warehouse facility, and the item picked was a Cuticura Original Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel. Boots UK is a leading health and beauty retailer and
pharmacy chain. It is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of the Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. “The flexibility of the Locus system to scale as the demand grows has been key to our success,” said Ken Hall, Supply Chain Development Manager, Boots UK. “The autonomous nature of the LocusBots has also been instrumental in worker health and safety, enforcing social distancing through such a busy period while also delivering significant productivity improvement.”

The COVID pandemic has quickly transformed the global retail industry, making online and omnichannel purchasing the new standard worldwide. The explosion of online shopping has put increasing pressure on fulfilment companies to staff their fulfilment teams adequately to meet the growing number of orders and ensure that items are picked and packed as efficiently as possible. These trends will continue as the 2020 holiday shopping season approaches. According to recent reports from Adobe, Cyber Monday sales are expected to hit a record-breaking $9.4 billion (£7.35
billion), up almost 19% from last year, and Black Friday sales online are expected to be $7.5 billion (£5.86 billion), up 20.3%.

Locus Robotics’ industry-leading robotics fulfilment solution enables brands, retailers, and third-party logistics (3PL) operators to easily meet higher order volumes and the increasing
consumer demand for e-commerce, retail, omnichannel, and manufacturing order fulfilment. Customers worldwide, including CEVA, DHL, Boots UK, GEODIS, Port Logistics Group, Verst
Logistics, Radial, and others, see doubling or tripling of fulfilment productivity and lowered labour recruitment, training, and retention costs.

Powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve piece-handling productivity 2X- 3X, claims the company, and with less
labour than traditional picking systems. This award-winning solution aims to help retailers, 3PLs, and speciality warehouses efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and
demanding requirements of fulfilment environments, easily integrating into existing warehouse infrastructures without disrupting workflows, instantly transforming productivity without transforming the warehouse.

New European Office for Mobile Robots Supplier

Posted on by David Priestman

AutoGuide Mobile Robots, a leading manufacturer of high-payload autonomous mobile robot (AMR) systems, today announced the opening of a new European office. The office in Munich supports sales, service and support, as well as deployment and training, throughout greater Europe. Local staff will work closely with its European system integrators to meet increasing demand for AutoGuide’s innovative autonomous mobile robots.

“With strong demand for our high-payload AMRs across the region, we felt expanding our European operation would deliver the highest level of support for our distributors and customers,” said Jan Nicolay, director for European Operations, AutoGuide. “Munich’s highly talented and efficient workforce, business-friendly climate and central location made it the ideal choice.”

AutoGuide’s patent-pending modular AMR system begins with a MAX-N Base AMR, which is guided by the company’s SurePath fleet control software, designed to maximize fleet flexibility and uptime. With a change of high-payload adapters, the base robot can easily be converted from a pallet stacker to a tugger or high bay forklift—and back again. Earlier this year, AutoGuide’s MAX-N Pallet Stacker and MAX-N Tugger received CE mark approval, indicating that the systems meet the European Union’s directives and standards for health, safety and environmental protection.

“The CE mark indicates our AMRs have met the strictest levels of safety and compliance required by the European Union,” Nicolay said. “Facility operators can easily deploy our AMRs to autonomously manage their dirty, dull and dangerous material handling jobs, freeing up workers to focus on higher-value tasks.”

Rethinking ASRS and Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

Rethinking automated storage and retrieval systems is the challenge that Rob Sullivan, President and CEO of AutoGuide, has laid down for the industry. David Priestman joined him online to
learn more.

AutoGuide Mobile Robots designs, develops and manufactures high-payload industrial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for assembly, warehousing and distribution operations. The company has a mobile robot R&D centre located in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and a manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky and was acquired by Teradyne last November. European
production is coming shortly.

Covid is driving ecommerce and next day delivery, leading to increased expectations. AutoGuide has launched what it claims is the first fully autonomous mobile robot designed to automate racking and picking operations at high bay warehouses, competing with traditional stacker cranes in pallet storage aisles. The new ‘MAX-N High Bay’ is an autonomous counterbalanced forklift that can travel up to 4 mph and lift 1000kg payloads up to 11m high.

The MAX-N High Bay works seamlessly with existing warehouse infrastructure so there’s no need to invest in new racking systems or pallets, and installation can be complete in weeks. Like all AutoGuide AMRs, the MAX-N High Bay exceeds safety standards and travels along a network of approved, predictable paths to decrease workplace risk for employees in shared workspaces. Using ‘SurePath Enterprise’ software, it receives data from existing order management and warehouse management systems and can be quickly deployed to complete a wide array of high bay operations. SurePath Enterprise defines the most efficient route for each job.

Rob Sullivan points out that traditional high bay operations can be complex and potentially dangerous. “Autonomous solutions increase efficiencies and keep both employees and products safe, providing an excellent return on investment in high-bay environments. Labour costs are more than half of distribution centre budgets. Adding space is difficult.”

The MAX-N High Bay is part of AutoGuide’s patent-pending modular AMR system designed to maximize fleet flexibility and uptime. The Max-N High Bay is one of multiple high-payload adapters designed to fit the MAX-N Base AMR. With a change of adapters, the base AMR is converted from a high-bay forklift to a pallet stacker or tow tractor. In addition, AutoGuide claims to be the only manufacturer that engineers and builds AMRs from the ground up to be fully autonomous, high performance material transport robots. The majority of robotic solutions are retrofitted manual vehicles, built from parts supplied by various vendors.

With inventory management software, the MAX-N High Bay becomes part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS. The inventory management software connects with facility WMS and inventory
management applications to keep track of facility inventory, manage finished goods or WIP inventories; speed reconciliation; and provide daily cycle counting digitally.

“As part of the new AutoGuide Mobile ASRS, our autonomous MAX-N High Bay can safely and efficiently transport materials from the receiving dock directly to the storage racks without the need for conveyor systems or other inflexible material handling infrastructure,” Sullivan says. “When connected to detailed, facility-wide inventory awareness, the MAX-N High Bay can get material exactly where it belongs. It’s time for ASRS to be untethered, autonomous and accessible for all warehouse facilities. With our Mobile ASRS, what used to be automated and heavy is now
autonomous and light. Mobile ASRS can be rolled out in a matter of weeks and bring autonomous efficiency to smaller footprints across the facility floor.”

Large, high-revenue facilities that move thousands of pallets a day have increasingly installed ASRS solutions with proprietary racks, custom pallets and massive cranes. Smaller facilities that move less inventory recognize the efficiencies offered by ASRS but have been unable to justify the high-cost and time-consuming deployment. Customers can start flexibly with just 5% automation
with mobile ASRS, combined with existing racking and work up from there. AutoGuide AMRs bring facility-wide freedom to automation strategies, so facility managers do not have to restrict
storage and retrieval operations to specific, crane-only zones.

“Human error in inventory management is both common and costly and automating manual vehicles is suboptimal,” Sullivan concluded. “Mobile ASRS is best-in-class. Digital inventory
control helps eliminate storage and retrieval errors.” Read the whole article here.

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