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Tag: AMR

IFOY Test Report: Youibot AT100

Posted on by David Priestman

Tonight is the night when the winners of the 2023 IFOY Awards will be revealed at a ceremony in Dortmund. Alphabetically last, but certainly not least, we take an in-depth look at the AT100 warehouse fulfillment solution from Youibot Robotics.

Youibot’s Automatic Trolley warehouse fulfillment solution utilises its brand-new assistance picking robot AT100 AMR and its robot fleet management system YOUIFleet to integrate with retailers’ and 3PL’s existing infrastructures and workflow and help them meet their increasing fulfillment demand, while ensuring a low ROI.

IFOY category: Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV / AMR)

IFOY Test Report

Youibot’s Automatic Trolley (AT) solutions are an automated alternative to manual picking on trolleys. Depending on the use and height of the order totes, the number of platforms on the trolley can be adjusted. The AT100, nominated for the IFOY AWARD, has a load capacity of 100kg.

While manual picking involves pushing the heavy trolleys through the warehouse by hand which often results in lost time due to the partly long walking distances, the Youibot concept works on the principle of zone picking. Each picker has his own picking zone, which the automated trolley passes when one or more order lines for the respective orders on the trolley need to be picked in that zone.

The orders on the trolley are grouped by Youibot’s Robot Picking System (RPS), which is connected to the customer’s WMS. The RPS also controls the robots in a facility. By using a central fleet management system (YOUIFleet), the risk of congestion and waiting times is minimised. YOUIFleet supports a maximum fleet size of 150 robots at one location.

For safe navigation through the warehouse, the AT100 uses the latest SLAM laser navigation technology. Because the AT100 knows the warehouse better than any employee, the robot always chooses the most efficient route to the next picking zone. One employee looks at the touch display to see how many items are to be picked at which location, scans those items with the trolley-mounted scanner, and then the display shows which order bin the goods are destined for. Once all orders in a zone have been picked, the operator confirms this via the display and the robot continues on its way to the next picking zone.

If the multisensor system detects an obstacle or a person, the robot stops automatically and the green light (ready for operation) changes to yellow. The standard safety distance is 300mm, but if a higher travel speed is desired, this distance can be adjusted. The maximum travel speed of the AT100 is 1.5m/s.

The system is CE certified and also complies with the latest US standard (ANSI/RIA R1508). This makes it one of the safest systems in its class.

The AT100 is equipped with a Li-ion battery that  ̶  when the robot is fully loaded  ̶  is good for up to nine hours of use. Incidentally, the battery is fully recharged within one hour. This enables trouble-free 24/7 use.

In addition, the AT100 provides an efficient and error-free picking process. With the same number of pickers, up to three times as many orders can be picked. For the pickers, walking distances are significantly reduced. In addition, working with the robots is more pleasant and less tiring.

IFOY test verdict: With the AT100, Youibot offers a good example of how “You, I and a robot” can work together harmoniously and effectively. Its load capacity of 100kg is one of the highest on the market. The AT100 minimises walking distances and human errors. It offers higher efficiency and accuracy and guarantees a lower ROI.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: Picking support vehicles have a large market as they can be applied in many operations. Automated transport of the picked items for one or more orders on a vehicle frees the picker from the heavy-duty pushing of order collection totes. Instead, the pickers remain in defined zones of the picking warehouse, where they take over the item removals from the provided assortment as soon as a vehicle enters the zone with its assigned orders.

Customer benefit: The AT100 has large, individually adjustable shelves and a load capacity that makes it suitable for a wide variety of combinations of larger orders and item weights. All-important functional and safety elements are well integrated into the vehicle and arranged in an easily accessible manner. The vehicle is very robustly built for its task and enables a very high usability value for its users.

Novelty / Innovation: The structure and the compact design are not exceptionally new for a vehicle supporting order picking. However, the very good design with versatile adjustable shelves and the robust design, which seem appropriate for the application, make the unit stand out in this market segment. However, the software for controlling a fleet of AT100s is limited to routing the vehicles through predetermined zones and does not highlight the potential to guide vehicles and order pickers dynamically and thus order-dependently to each other in an order-picking warehouse.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The aforementioned features of the vehicle and fleet management offer good functions for increasing performance and ergonomics in order-picking warehouses. For the sometimes challenging operation in order-picking warehouses, the vehicle offers recognisable reserves in terms of stability and robustness.

Verdict: Picking support vehicles have a large market as they can be used in many businesses. The vehicle is robustly built for this task and promises very good benefits for users. The structure and compact design with adjustable shelves is not exceptionally new but offers good functions and features for the user.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation Ø
Functionality / Type of implementation +
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

Hai Robotics Opens UK Office in Northampton

Posted on by David Priestman

Hai Robotics, a worldwide leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems in warehouses, is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its maiden UK office at Vulcan Works, a new space for creative and digital businesses in Northampton.

Since establishing its European headquarters in the Netherlands in late 2021, Hai Robotics has quickly developed a reputation for revolutionising warehouse automation throughout the region, undertaking more than 30 projects across Europe and four in the UK. This growth is further bolstered by partnerships with UK companies including Logistex, Breathe Technologies and Invar Group.

The new office at Vulcan Works in Northampton will house the sales, solutions, implementation, testing, after-sales support, PR and marketing functions of Hai Robotics UK Ltd. The team will be fully supported by the company’s European HQ in the Netherlands.

“Launching our inaugural UK office signifies a critical milestone for Hai Robotics and underscores our enduring commitment to this vibrant market,” declared Damien Skinner, Country Manager of the UK & Ireland. “Our decision to establish ourselves at Vulcan Works was driven by a multitude of factors. Northampton’s strategic location in the heart of the UK’s ‘Logistics Golden Triangle’—Bedford-Birmingham-Nottingham—ensures our close proximity to customers and site references. Additionally, the comprehensive facilities at Vulcan Works, which feature beautifully restored spaces, well-equipped meeting rooms with flexible booking options, provide an environment conducive for growth and innovation. Above all, the flexibility and security offered by Vulcan Works are paramount in fuelling our progressive journey.”

Recently, Hai Robotics proudly unveiled a ground-breaking project in the UK, joining forces with Logistex to optimise John Lewis Partnership’s new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes. The project is centred around the deployment of a picking solution powered by Hai Robotics’ innovative ACR robots and HaiPort workstations, which also provide flexibility and scalability for future expansion. Hai Robotics initiatives have seen the successful implementation of 160 ACR robots. In addition, the company has solidified its presence in the market by securing two more substantial contracts, further contributing to its growth trajectory.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hai Robotics to Vulcan Works,” added Centre Manager of Vulkan Works, Garrick Hurter. “To have a global company who is at the forefront of such impressive digital technology and forward-thinking automation choose our space as a location for its first UK office is a real coup.

“This is a prime example of the type of business we want to attract to the centre – a company who is looking to grow and expand with a digital or creative focus. We know that Hai Robotics will really flourish here, not just thanks to our wonderful facilities that are conducive to productive, collaborative working, but also through our additional business support events and workshops and prime location.”

ACR systems provided by Hai Robotics deliver highly efficient Goods-to-Person solutions that blend perfectly within the warehouse environment. Notably, these systems can increase storage density by an astonishing 80 to 400 per cent and enhance worker efficiency by three to four times, outperforming traditional warehouse automation solutions. Moreover, ACR robots can reach impressive heights of up to 10 metres, making them a game-changer in warehouse operations.

Certified by UKCA and CE, Hai Robotics‘ revolutionary ACR systems are all set to bring about a seismic shift in the UK’s warehouses and logistics centres, promising extraordinary benefits that set the company apart from the rest, reshaping the future of logistics in the UK.

Can Mobile Robots Solve Skills Shortage?

Posted on by David Priestman

With the labour pool for warehousing running dry, it is time growing warehouse operations look to mobile robots to share the work, explains Frazer Watson, VP-Sales UK/Ireland at iFollow.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) offer one of the more cost effective and flexible automation solutions to enable logistics operations to optimise their labour force. This is particularly the case when it comes to the intensive process of accurate order picking and the energy sapping and time consuming necessity of moving goods around a warehouse.

Finding ways to optimise labour has never been more relevant as a list of ingredients is being stirred into a skills shortage stew, which is threatening to take a considerable toll on UK organisations. In addition to sustained low levels of unemployment, the UK labour force remains smaller than it was prior to the Covid pandemic, according to research company Fitch Ratings. In its special report called: ‘Shortfall in UK Labour Supply to Persist’ it detects a ‘curious movement in the UK work demographic’, with a significant proportion of over 50s having left the workforce, and estimates that had the UK’s labour force continued to grow at its 2015-2019 trend rate, it would be around 2.5% bigger than it is today. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation estimates that if labour shortages are not addressed, the UK economy will be £39 billion worse off each year from 2024.

While the UK is not unique in experiencing shortages of workers, numerous commentators in the logistics sector point to changes following Brexit that have reduced the available pool of EU-based workers. This is perhaps a more salient issue for UK warehousing, which is among the sectors hardest hit by the labour shortage as it continues to expand on the back of developments such as supporting continued growth of ecommerce operations. Adding weight to this claim is a survey published last summer by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT). It revealed that 86% of companies across its membership had experienced warehouse operative staff shortages in the prior two years.

Furthermore, the shortage is combining with persistent inflation to drive upward wage growth. Such a situation can potentially influence broader logistics decisions, such as prioritising labour availability over other strategic business decisions when it comes to locating warehouse operations. Locations that have traditionally attracted distribution sheds have created strong competition among employers for a dwindling pool of labour.

Improving productivity in warehousing through the route of increasing wages is unlikely to be sustainable for many, while investing in training has always been a less than a popular notion in UK business. Faced with the likelihood of long-term staff shortages, many UK warehouse and distribution centre operations are already turning to technology as an aid.

Technology is transforming warehouse work

As entire supply chains become ever more connected, technology enables retailers and their logistics providers to deliver improved service to consumers. Established technologies already include Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), data capture, voice recognition, RFID, pick by light, and all kinds of automated solutions for storage, retrieval, transport and packaging. The advent of mobile robots has moved this on a further step.

Rarely does technology replace people completely, in most instances it complements existing staff, creating collaborative working. This is certainly true of mobile robots, which can take on the more onerous, laborious and time consuming, yet simple tasks such as transporting goods around a warehouse. This leaves their human colleagues to be deployed where they are more productive, such as at the pick face, and creates a vastly more efficient way of working where more can be done with fewer people. Consequently this reduces the pressure on finding staff.

This pressure is particularly heated during peaks, when it’s not just a question a finding people in numbers sufficient to cope with increased orders, but staff that can hit the ground running to maintain service levels. Mobile robots carry on their tasks irrespective of conditions and hours. When businesses scale up or hit peak trading, extra robots can be easily added. This also allows a stepped approach to automated warehouse functions, beginning with one unit and building up a fleet as required, or units can be switched with different capacity models. And because AMRs do not require fixed infrastructure, their routes and duties are extremely flexible, with the programming of tasks via an intuitive fleet management interface.

Optimising labour with mobile robots

Premium mobile robots will have virtues that will allow labour to be optimised even further. An iFollow AMR, for example, can transport two roll cages at once, to a total load of 1,500 kg. This means a picker can work with multiple AMRs simultaneously, so potentially, on a single pick walk an operator supported by two AMRs could be assembling the orders for four different stores or customers. Through this kind of collaboration with the worker, which iFollow calls ‘Duo Picking’, the robot not only frees up a role but it will also reduce time required to carry out a pick. This can bring up to 50% improvement in pick rates by comparison with purely manual methods.

Far from replacing people completely, actively working with technology in ways like this will also increase the appeal of warehouse jobs to tech-savvy young people – a demographic that has the sector has found hard to attract and retain. Unfortunately, warehouse work has acquired a reputation for being hard on employees, low paid and has never ranked among the most desired of occupations. However, unlike many other sectors competing for the same limited labour resource, the work is full time and offers great career path opportunities. Indeed, many of today’s Logistics Managers started out on the warehouse floor. Working with mobile robots adds an attractive and interesting element into the job.

So mobile robots not only offer a collaborative solution that means fewer staff are required, particularly during peaks, but they also add a high tech element to warehouse work that makes the sector more attractive to the kind of recruits an increasingly technology-driven industry desperately needs. Becoming less reliant on labour certainly offers a practical proposition and joins other long-term gains from investing in reliable mobile robots. Their predictable costs, productivity boosting capabilities and flexibility in deployment to handle changes in business are a great way for warehouse operations to reduce their reliance on the availability of people.

IFOY Test Report: ARCOS by DS Automotion

Posted on by David Priestman

The latest submission in the IFOY Award finalists to come under the microscope ahead of the announcement ceremony in Dortmund on June 22nd is the ARCOS AGV/AMR from DS Automotion.

Category: Intralogistics Software

IFOY Test Report

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) are known for the tireless execution of their transport orders. They travel rigidly predefined routes and deliver the respective transport loads to their destinations. Each lane, curve or intersection is carefully planned to realise the highest possible efficiency of the system. Mutual obstruction of the vehicles or even blocking is thereby ruled out.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), on the other hand, are responsible for reaching their destinations themselves. They are often only provided with the target and a map of the operational environment. With the help of sensors, they then continuously record their environment and can react independently to changes. Planning their paths independently allows them to avoid obstacles, but carries the risk that decisions made may negatively affect the efficiency of the overall system. The individual vehicles can interfere with or even block each other.

It is understandable that for plant operators it is tempting to use the positive features of both worlds. Therefore, DS Automotion has combined the strengths of both worlds (AMR and AGV), setting a milestone in the industry. According to the operator’s requirements, vehicles can act autonomously and avoid obstacles without blocking, but also follow pre-planned lanes.

The innovations are not only characterised by the coining of the terms “plannable autonomy” and “cooperative navigation”, as new core functions of the vehicle software. Conformity with the VDA-5050 interface, which is used across fleets, is also worth highlighting.

“Schedulable autonomy” is a way to navigate vehicles both “virtually lane-guided” and autonomously. The basic building blocks for this are the autonomy zones in which vehicles move freely. “Cooperative navigation” describes the ability of autonomously navigating vehicles to work together to find solutions to problematic situations. For example, the vehicles independently clarify the right of way between vehicles at intersections or bottlenecks.

IFOY test verdict: With the new software, DS Automotion vehicles can be quickly and easily integrated into production or logistics processes. In combination with the fleet manager NAVIOS, the planning and integration effort is reduced via the web-based interface. The zone-based planning and transport flow editor included in it enable the operator to adapt and expand the system. Transportation systems that use AMR with full autonomy typically have limited ability to intervene in the process. Here, the “schedulable autonomy” functions offer the possibility to define the behaviour of the vehicles more precisely. As in the case of virtual lane-guided AGVs, complex systems are thus realised with the highest possible efficiency. Due to the standardised interface, the operator can integrate the system into an already existing plant with VDA-5050 interface and also expand it at any time.

IFOY Innovation Check

Market relevance: ARCOS vehicle software combines the high flexibility of autonomous mobile robots (AMR) with the high efficiency of automated guided vehicles (AGV) in one transport system. As more warehouses, production facilities and hospitals are equipped with transport vehicles and the flexibility requirements in terms of throughput, environment complexity and task structure become more demanding, solutions like ARCOS are an important step in getting the best possible performance out of automated transport systems. Due to the breadth of application fields and the open interfaces of ARCOS, the market potential is estimated to be quite high. A first customer installation in a hospital environment is expected to go into operation shortly.

Customer benefit: With its so-called “Plannable Autonomy”, ARCOS promises maximum transport process efficiency by optimally merging the advantages of track-guided and autonomous transport vehicles in one vehicle software. However, the degree of autonomy can so far only be defined in spatially delimited zones, but not based on other, situational criteria. In addition, “Collaborative Navigation” in autonomous operation ensures that the optimal driving behaviour between the vehicles is coordinated independently at intersections or bottlenecks and that blockages are ruled out. ARCOS is compatible with all fleet managers, can also be used across manufacturers via VDA 5050, and can also be used in fleets with more than 100 vehicles.

Novelty / Innovation: Plannable Autonomy, i.e., the seamless integration of track guidance, partial autonomy, and free navigation in one vehicle software is new in this quality of integration in one solution. Although collaborative navigation is not an entirely new function, it is not coordinated centrally as in other solutions, but solved decentral only by the robots involved. Innovative dynamic lock zones are also used in this context.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The functionalities of plannable autonomy as well as collaborative navigation were shown to be of high quality and robust in several tests, some of which were very demanding. The collaborative navigation can also resolve difficult and dynamic situations and coordinate any number of vehicles with each other. One limitation of decentralised motion planning, however, is the operational range within a radius of approximately 10m. The applicability of ARCOS on all common chassis kinematics is exemplary.

Verdict: For the first time, ARCOS enables AGV and AMR fleets to drive variably, but zone-based between fixed lane guidance, lane guidance with flexible evasion, and free navigation (plannable autonomy) with a single flexible vehicle software. In combination with cooperative navigation, which enables the robots to avoid each other in a coordinated manner, a very efficient, powerful, and high-quality solution is offered that can also integrate vehicles from other manufacturers via VDA 5050.

Market relevance +
Customer benefit ++
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation ++
[KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / — not available]

AMRs Deployed in Irish Pharma DC

Posted on by David Priestman

United Drug, Ireland’s largest pharmaceutical distribution company has partnered with Locus Robotics, an industry leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for warehouse fulfilment, to deploy 21 LocusBots at their Baldonnel Dublin distribution centre to improve customer order fulfilment productivity. The innovative, robot-driven warehouse automation system will also ensure order pick accuracy and improve workplace quality, ergonomics, and safety. The Dublin site deployment is the first of its kind in Ireland.

With the rapid increases in online volume, coupled with the lack of available labour, health care distributors have been challenged to rapidly scale to meet growing wholesale and consumer demand for quick, accurate, and cost-effective order fulfilment. Deploying Locus AMRs within United Drug’s Baldonnel warehouse will proactively position them to meet these demands with a scalable, proven, and cost-effective solution.

“This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to deploy innovative logistics solutions that use advanced technology to address increasingly complex fulfilment challenges,” says Paul Malone, Head of Operations for UDD & UDC at United Drug Ireland. “In a tight labour market, the Locus solution helps us to efficiently optimise productivity across our existing labour force so that we can enhance our customer service levels.”

“We are proud to partner with United Drug to deploy our powerful and efficient multi-bot solution to support their warehouse operations in Baldonnel, Dublin,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics (pictured). “Our purpose-built robotics solution seamlessly addresses the needs of United Drug’s distribution warehouses by eliminating unproductive worker walking time to dramatically improve picking volumes and shorten order cycle times. In addition, Locus helps to ensure key worker health, ergonomic, and safety.”

Powered by LocusOne, the industry’s smartest, fully integrated warehouse orchestration and execution platform, LocusBots are engineered for maximum warehouse efficiency, delivering optimal productivity utilising the latest navigation and vision system technologies. LocusBots navigate autonomously through the warehouse working closely and safely with associates to improve order picking productivity and throughput efficiency. They can be flexibly and seamlessly deployed as demand changes, supporting a diverse range of picking strategies and workflows.

Locus Robotics is the world leader in revolutionary, enterprise-level, warehouse automation solution, incorporating powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve product movement and productivity 2–3x. Named to the Inc. 500 two years in a row, and winning over 17 industry and technology awards, the Locus solution dramatically increases order fulfilment productivity, lowers operational costs, and improves workplace quality, safety, and worker ergonomics. Supporting over 100+ of the world’s top brands and deployed at 250+ sites around the world, Locus Robotics enables retailers, 3PLs and specialty warehouses to efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of today’s fulfilment environments.

IFOY Test Report: Continental AMR IL 1200

Posted on by David Priestman

In the run-up to the handing out of the IFOY Awards in Dortmund on June 22nd, we are running through all the 2023 finalists and share the verdict from the IFOY test conducted during the evaluation by an expert jury in March. Our next entry (alphabetically speaking) is the AMR IL 1200 from Continental Automotive Technologies GmbH.

Category: AGV / AMR

IFOY Test Report

The AMR IL 1200 automates the flow of materials in production plants, warehouses or logistics centres. The robust industrial truck is equipped with field-proven technologies: Lidar sensors for 360° detection of the environment, 3D camera systems, intelligent software and an optional ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter for precise live tracking of the industrial truck in the fleet make the AMR a valuable device. The vehicle autonomously executes transport orders, can avoid obstacles and calculate alternative routes. An optional fleet management system can coordinate a larger fleet of AMRs.

The most important innovations of the AMR Il 1200 compared to its predecessor include an increase in travel speed to up to 2m/s, which enables even faster transport while maintaining the same level of safety. The prerequisites for this safety are created by an optimised sensor concept, which leads to an improvement in all-round protection. The optimised drive components and a reduction in the turning circle make the AMR IL 1200 even more agile and powerful than its predecessor. The company’s signature robustness and durability of the hardware combined with several new superstructures, including Cart, Load Module and Top Roller, ensure that unlike its predecessor, the AMR IL 1200 can be used for multiple applications. Other features of the industrial truck include a compact design and integrated lifting system for loads up to 1.2 tonnes.

On the course set up for the IFOY TEST DAYS, the Continental team deliberately kept the distance between the side walls at one of the transfer stations for the floor rollers (dimensions: 1,200 x 800mm), which serve as transport aids, small. In this way, the manufacturer wanted to show how precisely the autonomous industrial truck can drive into such stations.

IFOY test verdict: The AMR IL 1200 is designed for transporting loading aids in the manufacturing industry and logistics. The focus is on production logistics with heavy pallets, such as those found in the automotive industry. To broaden the application portfolio for the vehicle, various superstructures and load handling attachments are available. The compact and modern design should also be emphasised. The technical equipment allows mixed traffic with other industrial trucks and people. Calculations by the manufacturer show that the efficiency gains achieved by using the AMR IL 1200 result in savings of up to 80% of operational costs in terms of in-house transport of loading equipment.

IFOY Innovation Check:

Market relevance: The AMR IL 1200 vehicle from Continental, which has been further developed based on a predecessor vehicle, automates the transport of floor rollers in the 1200x800mm format on which euro pallets, large load carriers or comparable load carriers are transported. The market for this type of transport, correctly located by Continental itself in the production logistics of the automotive industry and the metal processing industry, has great relevance there. However, transports with floor rollers of this format are by no means used in all companies, which is why the market relevance is only rated as balanced.

Customer benefit: The manoeuvrability of the vehicle enables good user benefits. In addition, the user benefits from the vehicle’s extensive sensory equipment, which leads to the expectation of robust and trouble-free operation, as the impressive demonstration on the IFOY TEST DAYS exhibition floor showed. With the vehicle’s steering software, the functionality can be well adapted to different operational environments and tasks.

Novelty / Innovation: In the vehicle class for transporting floor rollers with pallets, a larger number of solutions are available on the market. The particularly flat and compact design combined with the multiple monitoring of the driving area, also above the scan level of the safety sensors, give the vehicle a good level of novelty that makes it stand out in the named market segment.

Functionality / Type of implementation: The AMR IL 1200 performs transport tasks reliably and also offers autonomy functions to avoid obstacles on blocked sections. The load pick-up and load delivery are solidly designed. The approaches to specified sources and sinks of a transport network require more driving surface than an area-moving vehicle with the implemented three-wheel chassis but were reliably demonstrated in the demonstration operation.

Verdict: Vehicles like the IL 1200 have a market but transports with floor rollers in the 1200x800mm format are by far not used in all companies. The manoeuvrability of the vehicle provides good benefits for the users. In this flat form combined with the good manoeuvrability, the vehicle is new and offers good functions for the user.

Market relevance Ø
Customer benefit +
Novelty / Innovation +
Functionality / Type of implementation +
KEY: ++ very good / + good / Ø balanced / – less / – – not available}

 

Mitsubishi Electric Invests in OTTO Motors

Posted on by David Priestman

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, a global leader in factory automation solutions, has announced a strategic investment in Clearpath Robotics, the parent company of autonomous mobile robot supplier, OTTO Motors.

With more than 4 million hours of production experience, OTTO Motors’ pioneering autonomous mobile robot (AMR) technology and award-winning software are used by Fortune 500 companies to deliver productivity and safety in material handling operations. The investment expands the strategic relationship between OTTO Motors and Mitsubishi Electric, and strengthens the two companies’ commercial collaboration.

Mitsubishi Electric Invests

“Industrial automation is continuing to transform businesses around the world. As a globally-trusted leader with a strong mission to invest in continuous technological innovation and ceaseless creativity, Mitsubishi Electric has been an important partner for OTTO Motors. We are proud to have their continued support and share a vision to accelerate industrial automation globally. We look forward to pursuing the tremendous opportunity ahead,” said OTTO Motors’ CEO & Co-Founder, Matt Rendall.

“The relationship between Mitsubishi Electric and OTTO Motors is built upon years of respect and trust. OTTO Motors is well positioned to become a leader in industrial autonomy. We see a bright future ahead for OTTO Motors and are honored to support their continued success,” said Mitsubishi Electric’s Chief Strategy Officer, Satoshi Takeda.

5000 Locus AMRs Deployed by DHL

Posted on by David Priestman

DHL Supply Chain has announced the expansion of its partnership with Locus Robotics, a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), increasing its use of Locus AMR robotics within its supply chain operations. As part of this new partnership, DHL Supply Chain will deploy 5,000 Locus Origin AMRs across its global network of warehouses and distribution centres, representing the industry’s largest AMR deal to date.

The expanded fleet of Locus AMRs will provide DHL Supply Chain with advanced automation technology to optimise its supply chain operations, and improve worker productivity, order accuracy, speed, and efficiency. The robots will be deployed across DHL Supply Chain’s global network, further enhancing its capabilities in e-commerce fulfilment, retail replenishment, and pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics.

“An idea is only a good idea if it can scale,” said Oscar de Bok, Chief Executive Officer DHL Supply Chain. “The flexibility and scalability of the Locus solution has been instrumental in helping us meet the evolving demands of the e-commerce landscape and leveraging cutting-edge technology to optimise our operations and deliver an even better experience for our customers.”

“The addition of Locus Robotics AMRs to our network is a major milestone in our digitalisation journey, and we are excited to partner with Locus Robotics to bring this technology to our operations,” said Markus Voss, Global CIO & COO DHL Supply Chain. “By using advanced robotics and data intelligence, we can further improve our operational efficiency, reduce processing time, and continue to improve our customer experience.”

“We are thrilled to be working in an expanded capacity with DHL Supply Chain to bring our industry-leading robotics technology to their global network,” said Rick Faulk (pictured), CEO of Locus Robotics. “As the robotics industry continues to consolidate, Locus Robotics has emerged as the clear leader in the market, and we are poised for further significant growth. Our innovative technology and commitment to customer success have set us apart. With our expanding product offerings and growing customer base, Locus Robotics is well positioned to capitalise on the tremendous opportunities ahead.

Industry’s largest AMR deal

DHL has now surpassed more than 250 million units picked using the LocusOne solution across its global sites. The deployment of the new LocusBots is expected to be fully integrated into DHL Supply Chain’s operations by the end of the year.

“Locus is helping DHL rapidly transform operations through a workforce empowered with the right technology at the right time, to deliver goods where they need to at the speed our modern markets demand,” said Sally Miller, Global Digital Transformation Officer, DHL Supply Chain. “Locus is a critical partner for us as we digitalise our warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres to efficiently meet increasing order volumes, labour shortages, and rising consumer expectations.”

Locus Robotics is a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots for e-commerce, retail, and Locus Robotics is the world leader in revolutionary, enterprise-level, warehouse automation solution, incorporating powerful and intelligent autonomous mobile robots that operate collaboratively with human workers to dramatically improve product movement and productivity 2–3X. Named to the Inc. 500 two years in a row, and winning over 17 industry and technology awards, the Locus solution dramatically increases order fulfilment productivity, lowers operational costs, and improves workplace quality, safety, and ergonomics for workers. Supporting more than 100+ of the world’s top brands and deployed at 250+ sites around the world, Locus Robotics enables retailers, 3PLs and specialty warehouses to efficiently meet and exceed the increasingly complex and demanding requirements of today’s fulfilment environments.

Otto Launch AMRs in Europe

Posted on by David Priestman

OTTO Motors, a leading provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), announced their formal expansion into the European market at LogiMAT Stuttgart. With over fourteen years of robotics experience and more than 4 million production hours in mission critical environments, OTTO Motors is solving labour and safety challenges with its established AMR fleet at manufacturing facilities and warehouses globally.

As one of the first AMR providers to support the interoperability standard VDA5050, OTTO AMRs have made over 15 million autonomous deliveries last year alone across more than 200 facility installations globally. OTTO has delivered results for the world’s most recognized manufacturing brands with its pioneering AMR technology and award-winning software, designed to improve productivity and efficiency of material handling operations. GE Aerospace saved $1.3 million in the first year, while Faurecia Interior Systems achieved an 11-month ROI. Mauser Packaging Solutions increased throughput by over 600%, and Danfoss removed over 70,000 manual touches annually.

“OTTO Motors leads the material handling automation industry in North America with the world’s most comprehensive AMR portfolio and the largest AMR deployments with the deepest integrations globally,” said Matt Rendall, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of OTTO Motors. “We’re expanding our unmatched expertise and experience into the European market to better serve our global customer base and improve material handling operations worldwide.”

OTTO AMRs are already driving productivity improvements for customers in Europe through our OTTO Certified Network. Hand-selected through our rigorous evaluation process, these experienced manufacturing organizations are certified and trained to develop, deploy and service end-to-end OTTO Motors’ solutions. OTTO Certified partners, including Guidance Automation and Orbel Grupo, are helping support the growing European market by designing, installing and maintaining the industry’s smartest AMR solutions in Europe.

“As demand for AMRs rapidly increases, we’re proud to be part of the OTTO Motors Partner Network and offer the world’s leading material handling solutions to improve productivity, safety and efficiency for our customers across Europe,” said Dr. Paul Rivers, Managing Director of Guidance Automation. “With over thirty years in the industry, our customers come to us for our experience, credibility and expertise. We’re committed to partnering with organizations that also leverage cutting edge, yet mature automation technology to optimize business operations.”

Mission Zero Touch Robotics

Posted on by David Priestman

Cost pressures, lack of space and personnel shortages are major issues needing a solution. One key to solving these issues is intelligent robotics. KNAPP’s innovative robot solutions help lower costs in logistics processes while increasing shipping capacity. KNAPP calls this new approach zero-touch fulfilment.

The goal of zero-touch fulfilment is to increase the degree of automation while minimizing the number of manual work steps, allowing employees to work efficiently and be relieved from physically demanding and repetitive tasks. At LogiMAT in Stuttgart, Germany, KNAPP presented technologies that help companies meet these goals.

There is no zero-touch fulfilment without robotic picking. KNAPP’s Pick-it-Easy Robot (pictured) will pack and pick diverse items into different containers in a live demonstration. AI-based object recognition and grip point determination allow the robot to handle a wide array of items. The intelligent KiSoft software suite functions as the brain of Pick-it-Easy Robot. It is used to design made-to-order software solutions for all processes and across all levels.

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) handle in-house transport jobs and offer many benefits that conventional conveyors simply cannot provide. After being configured, which is quickly accomplished, they move about freely and independently. They don’t require any changes to the warehouse and the fleet can be expanded rapidly when there are more transport tasks. AMRs are versatile and can be used for transport from goods-in to the storage system, cross docking and supplying work stations. One of KNAPP’s series of AMRs, the Open Shuttle Fork, handles the transport of pallets automatically, space-effectively and flexibly.

These autonomous mobile robots are controlled by the intelligent fleet control system in the KiSoft suite. The travel paths and processes of the AMR are easy to model and adapt in the software. KiSoft functions like a navigation system with specific route planning, analogous to the GPS in a car, and its obstacle detection ensures complete safety for people and equipment.

The best automation solution is only as good as its master data. In order for robots, shuttles and the like to work in a way that creates value, they need good-quality master data. This is exactly what MultiScan does best: collect high-quality master data, which is then saved by the software KiSoft Genomix. MultiScan easily and precisely captures morphological data, such as the volume or weight of items as well as quantities, stacking data, EAN barcodes and much more. The software solution KiSoft Genomix digitizes all the relevant item attributes, from their weight, dimensions and packaging type to their contents, centre of gravity, tilting behaviour and much more. This type of information is critical for smooth operation in the robotic warehouse and is what a robotic system needs to precisely process and handle various types of items.

Even the smallest items, such as jewellery, watches and their parts need to be securely stored. For this application, KNAPP offers the InduStore, which stores and handles items up to the size of a shoe box and up to 5 kg (11 lb) as standard. The InduStore uses its intelligent image recognition system to automatically identify each item. A conveyor brings small items to the robot, which picks them up and places them on the shelves in a compact, space-saving way.

For today’s warehouse logistics, three areas of expertise make all the difference: machines and robots, service and consulting, and finally, software. Each of these areas can of course stand alone; however, when combined, they provide an incredible advantage. This is exactly the combination KNAPP focuses on. This approach using integrated intelligence connects all the disciplines to provide customers with an all-in-one solution. For example, the KiSoft software configures the AMRs, so they go where they are needed, and also trains the KNAPP Pick-it-Easy Robot picking robots so they continually improve. It’s quite an impressive interplay of robots and software. With its business intelligence products, KiSoft provides the information needed to make strategic decisions. KNAPP has modules in KiSoft for resource planning, data analysis for strategic decision-making, predictive maintenance and life cycle management.

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