Honeywell and Hai Robotics Collaborate

Honeywell (Nasdaq: HON) today announced it will team up with Hai Robotics to deliver flexible, high-density storage and retrieval solutions to distribution centers (DCs). The alliance couples Hai’s innovative robotics technology with Honeywell’s Momentum Warehouse Execution Software, enhanced cybersecurity capabilities and experience integrating robotics solutions. Additionally, it supports Honeywell’s portfolio alignment to three compelling megatrends: automation, the future of aviation and energy transition.

“Companies face high costs for warehouse space, continued labor shortages and pressure to deliver goods quickly,” said Keith Fisher, President of Honeywell Intelligrated. “This automated solution allows them to maximize space in their existing facilities, increase productivity and best use their workforce. The combination of Honeywell and Hai Robotics delivers faster time-to-value than most traditional material handling storage and retrieval solutions, providing greater flexibility to meet changing demand and reducing execution risk for our customers.”

Hai Robotics’ autonomous case- and tote-handling mobile robotics (ACR) solutions, which automate item storage and retrieval and make the warehouse put-away and picking processes more efficient, use guided robots capable of reaching up to 32 feet high. These systems condense the required footprint to store goods and can operate within existing brownfield DC and warehouse sites, as well as in the back of retail stores for micro-fulfillment.

The ACR solutions store a variety of cases, totes, moving pallets and shelves, and can support e-commerce, automotive, third-party logistics and manufacturing operations. Hai robots can increase productivity by achieving typical throughput rates of approximately 500 pieces per hour (pph), compared to 100-250 pph without the use of robotics.

“Honeywell’s 30+ years of experience in supply chain automation technology development and deployment, robotics integration expertise and ability to complement our ACR technology through powerful software and support services make them an ideal partner for our company,” said Brian Reinhart, Chief Revenue Officer at Hai Robotics.

Hai Robotics solutions integrate with Honeywell’s Momentum Warehouse Execution Software, enabling DC operators to analyze real-time operating information across a DC and prioritize and redirect work as it is performed by both robotic systems and people, allowing for reduced costs and greater customer service levels.

Peak Season Robotics Fulfilment Efficiency

CIRRO Fulfillment and Hai Robotics, a pioneer and leader in Autonomous Case-Handling Robot (ACR) Systems, partnered in September 2023 to integrate robotics technology into its German fulfilment centre in time for the holiday season.

The advanced fulfilment centre covers an area of 6,500m² with a storage volume of 3,348m³. It features 45 A42L robots for order picking and eight A42T robots for shelving and automated stocking. The picking robots can handle payloads of up to 240kg and operate at a top speed of 1.5 meters per second.

By implementing robotics-driven operations, CIRRO Fulfilment is projected to enhance workforce efficiency by an estimated 30%, with a maximum daily outbound volume up to 21,000 items. The robots can swiftly transport items to skilled workers for picking and packing in one go, ensuring fast and accurate order processing and dispatch. This innovative approach reduces handling time and enhances operational capabilities, resulting in faster delivery and increased customer satisfaction. The overall shopping experience is seamless and expedited.
“Our partnership with Hai Robotics showcases our dedication to being at the forefront of innovation. It improves the customer experience and signifies a significant transformation in efficiency and accuracy, setting a new standard for e-commerce fulfilment operations,” said Hong Li, Head of Sales at CIRRO Fulfillment.

“We are thrilled about our collaboration with CIRRO Fulfillment. The application of our fully integrated solution, blending ACRs and AMRs, represents a milestone in the use of versatile robotics technologies in e-commerce fulfilment operations for the EMEA region,” said Sean Wang, Sales Director at Hai Robotics EMEA.

Hai Robotics, a global pioneer in ACR Systems, delivers intelligent and efficient warehouse automation solutions through robotics and AI. Our 2015 innovation, HaiPick, was the world’s first ACR solution. With over 1,000 global projects serving 30+ countries, we combine international experience with local expertise to offer tailored, top-quality solutions.

Hai Robotics Opens UK Office in Northampton

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.

Robotics Solutions Unveiled at LogiMAT

Hai Robotics, a leader in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems, will introduce its new cutting-edge automation and robotics solutions at LogiMAT 2023 from April 25 to 27 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Hai Robotics is set to showcase its latest range of innovative automated solutions at Europe’s largest annual intralogistics exhibition. The exhibition will feature the highly anticipated HaiFlex and HaiPick A3 solutions. These new solutions are key additions to the company’s existing portfolio, both of which are set to bolster the company’s existing portfolio. In addition, attendees can witness two star products – the towering 10m tall HaiPick A42TD and HaiPort. This event offers a prime opportunity to experience first-hand how Hai Robotics is at the forefront of revolutionizing the intralogistics industry.

The HaiFlex is an innovative automation solution that allows warehouses to merge different zones, such as pallet areas, floor stacking areas, and racking areas, into a single automated picking warehouse area. The solution combines ACRs and AMR-type robots that work together to provide a more efficient way of order picking. The HaiFlex is designed to eliminate the inefficiencies of manually handling bulky goods and order consolidation, which can help reduce warehousing costs, including rental, labour, and management. It suits multiple industries, including apparel, retail, e-commerce, 3PL, and more. With HaiFlex, warehouses can handle bulky goods in one area while using ACR robots to take advantage of the available vertical space to pick, place, and store totes and cartons, thus increasing storage density and saving warehouse space. The solution also supports garment handling storage and oversized SKUs, making it versatile and efficient.

The Haiflex system is currently only available in the following countries and regions: EMEA, ANZ, SEA, South Korea, and China.

The HaiPick A3 is a forklift-type ACR that resolves stringent warehousing and compliance regulations challenges in the automotive and manufacturing industries. It enables the picking of various shapes of commercial materials, such as tyres, trays, and PCB materials, without needing totes or cartons. Furthermore, the HaiPick A3 can work with different types of shelves, conveyors, and other equipment. The software platform can integrate easily with almost any upstream software platform to orchestrate and automate processes within warehousing and manufacturing.

HaiPick A42TD enables the picking and storing of cases from shelves up to 10 m high (32.8 feet). The A42TD is equipped with a new double-deep picking fork, increasing storage density even further. Moreover, thanks to its 3D visual recognition, it can also handle plastic totes and cardboard cartons with a maximum weight of 30 kg (66.1 lbs). In addition, the adjustable fork enables automatic width adjustment to pick cases of different dimensions in mixed fields.

The HaiPort is an automatic loading and unloading machine that boosts throughput. It works with ACR robots to automate the loading, unloading, and transport of cases from the robot. Six cases (customisable up to eight cases) can be loaded in three seconds and unloaded in five seconds. A single workstation can handle up to 900 cases per hour. Order-fulfilment speed is 16 times faster than robot-to-conveyor belt transport enabling higher in/out efficiency in mixed fields.

With these new solutions, customers can further improve operational efficiency and storage density, meeting the needs of warehouses, DCs, and factories in the apparel, retail, e-commerce, and 3PL industries. In addition, Hai Robotics is investing heavily in creating a local network of system integrators, installation, and service partners so that any user of our solutions can expect rapid and high-quality service wherever they are in the EMEA region.

Experience the live demonstrations of our new solutions at LogiMAT, Stand 6A51, Hall 6. April 25 to 27, 2023. Stuttgart, Trade Fair Centre.

Ecommerce DC Deploys Array of Automation

John Lewis’ new e-commerce distribution centre in Fenny Lock, Milton Keynes, UK, features an array of automation technology. Robotics and Automation supplier Logistex was chosen earlier this year to implement its warehouse execution system to optimise the systems.

The multi-phase project will initially see Logistex deploy its Warehouse Execution System, Reflex, which will orchestrate the picking of orders across multiple zones of the Fenny Lock DC and provide full integration with conveyors, robots and automated bagging machines.

Future phases will include the deployment of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) tote-to-person (TTP) picking solution based on Hai Robotics’ ACR robots and HaiPort workstations.

Tony Gruber, MD Logistex, said: “We are delighted to be working with John Lewis on this strategically important initiative. It combines all of our key capabilities in one project, solution design, the deployment of our Reflex WES platform in a multi-agent robotic-based automation environment & complete project life cycle support. We look forward to a successful project and an enduring relationship with John Lewis”.

John Munnelly, Head of Distribution, John Lewis Partnership (JLP), added: “This is an exciting partnership which will transform our Fenny Lock site, as we look for new and innovative ways on how to best serve our customers.”

Damien Skinner, Country Manager of UK & Ireland, Hai Robotics, said:

“We are thrilled JLP and Logistex have found the right solution with Hai Robotics’ HaiPick, which can reach up to 10m for picking and storing. We look forward to working with them on this project and expanding our partnership. One of the reasons why HaiPick was the right fit for the Logistex solution is because it is highly flexible and suitable to be deployed in existing sites. Next to that, the solution is rapidly scalable and is designed with plans for expansion in mind. HaiPick is fully CE and UKCA compliant and can be deployed relatively quickly. We will be working closely together with Logistex to achieve successful deployment for John Lewis through a joint testing methodology.”

Hai Robotics HaiPick systems can increase storage density by 80 to 400 percent while improving worker efficiency by 3 to 4 times. In addition, ACR robots can reach up to 10m high (32.8 ft). Compared with existing, especially traditional warehouse automation solutions, Hai Robotics‘ UKCA certified solutions can deliver extraordinary benefits for warehouses and logistical centres in the UK. The HaiPick systems provide more flexibility in terms of future expansion, exponentially increase operational efficiency, require less implementation time and are more cost-effective.

 

HAI Debuts Cutting-edge Robot Systems

HAI ROBOTICS, a pioneer in Autonomous Case-handling Robot (ACR) systems for warehouse logistics, will present its highly flexible totes-to-person warehouse automation solution at this year’s MODEX 2022 show, Booth C4585 at Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from March 28th to 31st.

With its robots being exhibited also by MHS, SVT Robotics, GreyOrange and Tompkins Robotics, the company will demonstrate alongside its strategic partners how its state-of-the-art warehousing technology complements the global supply chain.

Days ahead of MODEX 2022, HAI ROBOTICS announced new partnerships with Tompkins Robotics and Storage Solutions. The partnerships will see technology and solutions developed by HAI ROBOTICS being applied to various industries across North America.

Brian Reinhart, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at HAI ROBOTICS U.S., said the company would have a full display of its commitment to customers, partners and the U.S. market at the show after being in the market for over a year.

“It’s a very exciting time for HAI ROBOTICS as we continue our expansion and growth in the U.S.” he said. “In order to best serve the market and accommodate the requests of our end users, we are developing a robust, strong, and valuable partner network.” Reinhart, a veteran in the material-handling industry, says: “In a short time, we have planted deep roots in the US.”

In addition to existing customers and partners, HAI ROBOTICS has established a U.S. HQ in Fremont, CA, a fully functional Demo Centre with a decentralised sales and implementation strategy, positioning employees in 15 different states across the country. The company’s “ambitious goals have hiring, onboarding, and training of talented individuals as a top priority.” “We want to be where our customers are to best serve them. We are committed to providing our partners with the best industry products, solutions, and service,” he said.

Exhibits

The company’s exhibits this year include two types of ACR robots and one workstation that were crafted to explore the full potentials of order-fulfilment efficiency, deployment flexibility and scalability in a goods-to-person order-handling context.

The HAIPICK A42T robot to be displayed is an evolution of the company’s IFOY 2021 “Best in Intralogistics” title earner. With a telescopic lift function that can flexibly adjust its picking height, it can handle bins (totes or cartons) at a storage height ranging from 0.28 to 10 metres. It can carry eight loads to feed goods-to-person workstations in one move, and shuttle between different storage areas without hindrance.

The HAIPICK A3 fork-lifting robot is a new invention that targets wider warehousing scenarios in addition to bin storage. It handles goods that don’t require a container, such as tires, trays and boards that can be lifted by a fork from the bottom. Its fork-lifting design brings an extra benefit of higher storage density, since spaces between neighbouring bins can be reduced. This type of robot is a good match with working environments where control for dust, static and pollution is strict.

In addition to high flexibility, the HAIPICK robots outperform other goods-transporting robots by bringing every inch under the ceiling available for storage. However, it is the teamwork with the HAIPORT-powered Workstation that maximises a warehouse’s throughput capacity.

A HAIPORT-powered Workstation, which can fulfil orders at in-bound and out-bound, involves collaboration between HAIPICK robots, HAIPORT and conveyor belts. HAIPORT is an automatic loading and unloading machine that can be docked with ACR robots and conveyor belts. At a HAIPORT-powered Workstation, multiple loads of totes or cartons are unloaded from the HAIPICK robots at the entry side of the HAIPORT, then transferred onto the conveyor belts for sorting per system orders and moved to the exit side of the HAIPORT, where they were fetched by robots for the next round of order processing.

The HAIPORT-powered Workstation is suitable for medium-to-large warehouses that have high throughput requirement of at least 400 bins per hour. It’s machine rate can deliver 600 bins per hour to an operator. It suits for extensive storage scenarios in which medium and small-sized bins are used, such as raw materials, small electronics, apparel, medicine, retails and 3PL industries that have large number of SKUs.

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Honeywell and Hai Robotics Collaborate

 

 

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