Episode 503: Recruiting for warehouse automation
Today’s episode of The New Warehouse Podcast welcomes Cian Denvir, the Director of U.S. Business for Proactive Global. Proactive Global specializes in recruitment for warehouse automation and robotics, providing a unique perspective on industry trends, talent development, and the future of automation. Cian shares insights into the current dynamics of the warehouse automation market, the challenges and opportunities in recruiting talent, and how to attract the next generation of professionals to this rapidly evolving field. Navigating the Recruitment Landscape in Warehouse Automation Cian emphasizes the importance of understanding the unique dynamics of warehouse automation recruitment. “We recruit for OEMs and system integrators, robotics businesses, end users, and even venture capitalists involved in automation,” he explains. This niche approach allows them to stay in tune with industry trends and meet the diverse needs of their clients. Cian sees the warehouse automation industry as tight-knit “in the sense that everybody knows everybody,” which is why talent hops from one company to another in a culture of grabbing from competing systems. He further highlights the challenges of salary expectations in the industry. “Salaries have cooled slightly from the highs of Amazon and COVID, but they are still great,” he notes. This cooling effect has led to a mismatch between candidates’ high expectations and current market realities, making recruitment a more nuanced task. Trends and Innovations in Warehouse Automation The warehouse automation industry is experiencing significant growth, with notable trends such as elections and interest rates shaping its future. Cian believes we will see “consolidation in the market, with bigger businesses through private equity roll-ups or mergers and acquisitions.” He explains that “a lot of deferred work from 2023 into 2024” could shape up for a strong 2025. The role of software in automation is also gaining prominence. “AMRs are not becoming a commodity, but the software side is more valuable than ever,” Cian asserts. They are proving how software platforms’ reliability, scalability, and maintainability are crucial for the success of automated solutions. Attracting the Next Generation of Talent One of the critical challenges in the warehouse automation industry is attracting and retaining talent. Cian believes that visibility and hands-on experience are vital. “It’s about making sure we bring people into the organization every year to give them a flavor of what warehouse automation is,” he says. Internships and rotational programs, like the Leadership and Development Rotation (LADR) program at Fortna, are effective ways to expose new talent to various aspects of the industry. Cian also stresses the importance of collaboration between companies and universities. “It’s about ensuring that we have the right HR and talent organization to create relationships with leading universities,” he explains. These partnerships help ensure a steady pipeline of skilled professionals ready to support the industry’s growth. Key Takeaways on Recruiting for Warehouse Automation Proactive Global recruits across various sectors within warehouse automation, ensuring a holistic approach to meeting industry needs. The cooling of salary expectations and the consolidation of businesses are significant trends shaping the current market. New products must solve specific operational challenges, and the importance of software in automation solutions is growing. Visibility, hands-on experience, and strong university partnerships are essential for attracting and retaining the next generation of talent. The New Warehouse Podcast 503: Recruiting for Warehouse Automation
Meritech highlights Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan for dry environments
Unmatched efficacy, convenience, and compliance with food safety regulations Meritech, the provider of automated hygiene technology, highlights its innovative Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan, setting a new standard for footwear hygiene in dry manufacturing environments, providing unmatched efficacy, convenience, and compliance with food safety regulations. This groundbreaking solution attaches to the CleanTech EVO Automated Handwashing Stations, effectively sanitizing any style of footwear in just 12 seconds, with a fast-drying footwear sanitizer specifically catering to dry or semi-dry production facilities. Proper footwear cleaning is a crucial aspect of any food safety program within a facility. Pathogens like Listeria and Salmonella can easily spread and contaminate surfaces due to inadequate footwear hygiene practices. The Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan features a fast-evaporating alcohol-quat sanitizing solution that eliminates pathogens from footwear and evaporates quickly post-application, reducing moisture introduction into production zones. The Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan offers customizable auto-start functionality, allowing users to adjust the start time and frequency of sanitizer dispensing throughout the day. This ensures that all employees receive optimal footwear hygiene from the first employee at the start of the shift to the end of the day. By combining hand and footwear hygiene into a single step, it saves valuable space and time in busy production environments. Additionally, the system guarantees that footwear receives twelve seconds of contact time with the sanitizing chemical in the footwear pan, a feature unmatched by most other methods of footwear hygiene. This guarantees thorough sanitation and peace of mind, knowing that stringent hygiene standards are consistently met. Additional highlights of the Sole Clean Low-Moisture Automated Footwear Sanitizing Pan include quick disconnects for easy cleaning, highly visible caution markings for safety, an easy reprime button to refill the pan after cleaning or at start-up, and a solutions empty indicator light. Compatible with all types of footwear, the EVO handwashing station with Sole Clean Low-Moisture Footwear Sanitizing Pan ensures consistent and effective hand and footwear hygiene in one easy step.
MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics launches new lab supported by Mecalux to research the potential of AI in logistics
The Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab will apply new AI- and machine-learning-based methods and technologies to the logistics problems with the greatest impact for businesses and society The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL)has commissioned a new research lab to investigate high-impact applications of new data-driven technologies in the logistics industry. The formation of the lab was supported by seed funding from the intralogistics group Mecalux. Specifically, the Intelligent Logistics Systems Labat MIT CTL will explore the potential of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) to transform the future of logistics operations and goods transportation. This will be the starting point for a future research collaboration between MIT CTL and Mecalux, combining the academic knowledge of the leading US technology university with the hands-on experience of a multinational company with more than 55 years of history. Mecalux intends to provide technical insights and support from its software and automation experts over the next few years. The new lab will examine several research streams that may lead to new state-of-the-art approaches to address some of the industry’s most complex challenges. For instance, the lab will investigate cutting-edge methods and tools that are capable of producing highly accurate near-term predictions at a high spatial and temporal resolution. Such near-term predictive capabilities are critical in enabling same-day or sub-same-day delivery and similar services designed to meet the increasingly challenging needs of both consumers and commercial customers. This innovation space will be led by Dr. Matthias Winkenbach, Director of Research at MIT CTL. “We want to support the application of new AI- and machine-learning-based technologies to tackle the most impactful real-world challenges faced by companies and society,” says Winkenbach. Technology for operational excellence The activities of the new research lab at MIT CTL — founded with support from Mecalux — will enable the entire industry to design supply chains and logistics systems that provide state-of-the-art customer service and set new standards in terms of sustainability and cost-effectiveness. “Operational excellence relies on the seamless integration of autonomous technology into warehouse processes. AI and machine learning can be crucial in planning and monitoring these resources,” says Javier Carrillo, CEO of warehouse technology company Mecalux. The Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab at MIT CTL will also study the role of new technologies in controlling autonomous transportation and delivery systems and in automating processes such as picking, sorting, packing, and shipping orders from warehouses or stores. Another area of research will be the development of hybrid methods at the intersection of operations research (OR) and ML. The goal will be to solve the increasingly complex and multi-faceted combinatorial optimization problems that are crucial for the success of the logistics industry, including vehicle routing, inventory planning, network design, transportation planning, and related issues.
Warehouse software market valued at $7.2bn in 2023
Warehouse software market to grow at a CAGR of 12.7% out to 2030 The standalone warehouse management system (WMS) market remains the largest, but other warehouse automation-related software is growing exponentially Warehouse Execution Systems (WES) are being deployed as a strategic choice to increase operational efficiency According to the latest research by market intelligence firm Interact Analysis, the warehouse software market is facing a rapid growth trajectory. In 2023, the market was valued at $7.2 billion, and this is expected to soar to $16.6 billion by 2030. Exponential growth of warehouse automation-related software Overall, the standalone WMS remains the largest software category. The markets for other warehouse automation-related software, such as robotic picking software, multi-fleet orchestration platforms, and warehouse control systems (WCS), are expected to grow rapidly and at a higher growth rate than the total warehouse software market. The automation-related software segment will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 19.5% between 2023 and 2030, compared with 12.7% for the warehouse software market as a whole. The boundaries between different types of warehouse software vendors have become blurred as vendors expand their software product offering. Many traditional WMS vendors have started to offer WES and WCS solutions, for example. WES deployed to enhance efficiency According to Interact Analysis’ latest study, the deployment of a WES is a strategic choice leading to increased operational warehouse efficiency. Not only does the system provide visibility into warehouse asset operations but it also has the capability to dynamically release orders and assign tasks based on the real-time operation status of assets. As a result, bottlenecks can be avoided, and efficiency is increased. The WES data can also be used to predict future warehouse automation and capacity efficiency while providing feedback to warehouse managers. However, the biggest question surrounding the WES market isn’t the benefits of the solution, but rather who will be providing it. Historically, automation vendors have been the main provider of WES solutions, given the amount of data they have on throughput rates and system constraints. However, we’re seeing strong growth in stand-alone WES solutions (independent of the WCS and the WMS) and Embedded WES solutions (where the WES is embedded into the WMS). The next few years will be highly dynamic, as different groups of companies compete to provide orchestration and execution capabilities. This report provides a wealth of information to help companies stay ahead of the curve in the race to own the execution layer. Irene Zhang, Senior Analyst at Interact Analysis comments on the warehouse software growth trajectory, “The exponential growth of the warehouse automation-related software segment we have observed is the result of a few key drivers. “First of all, the growth of warehouse automation has created the need for software that can be used to control and execute solutions. There is also a need to optimize the overall throughput due to the growth of modular and standardized automation sub-systems which require orchestration and execution of various modules. Finally, the growth of the mobile robot market has driven demand for fleet management systems. As well as this, the availability of the Robotics as a Service (RaaS) model has also contributed to the widespread adoption of mobile robots.”
AMT strengthens Engineering Services Department leadership with key appointments
AMT has announced the recent promotions of both Anna Jacobs and Mike Ingles to the roles of Engineering Services Business Development Manager. AMT’s Engineering Services team provides manufacturers and industrial clients with a deep bench of highly-trained robotics and automation engineering resources to support projects or ongoing needs Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s leader in automation engineering, specializing in advanced material handling, end-of-line solutions, on-demand engineering services, and cutting-edge autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for warehousing and logistics, has announced the joint appointment of Anna Jacobs and Mike Ingles to Engineering Services Business Development Manager. The Engineering Services team has wide-ranging skillsets and expertise in the areas of industrial controls, automation consulting, robotic cell design and programming, and field support, as well as in electrical design with EPLAN and AutoCAD. In addition, the team is widely trained in Ignition by Inductive Automation and the programming, deployment, and maintenance of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). AMT regularly assists a variety of clients requiring industrial automation integration expertise, including manufacturers, other system integrators, and OEMs. “Anna Jacobs is an outstanding member of the AMT team who brings a wealth of experience to the table, including a unique combination of skills in sales and marketing,” said Craig Salvalaggio, President at AMT. “She consistently goes above and beyond for our clients. With Anna’s involvement, AMT’s services department is poised for growth while continuing to deliver the innovative solutions and exceptional support that our industrial automation clients have come to expect.” “I am honored to accelerate the sales and business development efforts for AMT’s Engineering Services department,” said Jacobs. “With 75 highly-trained engineers on our team, we are dedicated to working with clients through any and every step of their industrial automation journey. With such a wide range of engineering expertise within our group, we are ready to work with all types of clients, including other system integrators as needed. I am excited to collaborate with Mike and our team as a whole to deliver remarkable robotics and automation solutions wherever they are needed.” “We are doubly excited to announce the promotion of Mike Ingles, joining Anna on AMT’s Engineering Services team,” remarked Salvalaggio. “Mike brings a wealth of experience to this role. He is a 35-year veteran of the automation industry with a deep understanding of the current state of the industry, as well as the general challenges surrounding robotics and automation projects. Working with Anna, the duo will drive our commitment to ensuring our services department remains at the forefront of the industry.” In his previous roles at AMT as process engineer and program manager, Ingles has helped numerous clients achieve their production goals. His new role will expand the breadth and reach of his unique skillset and expertise to even more of AMT’s new and existing clients. “I am thrilled to take on this new role in Engineering Services working alongside Anna to support automation users,” said Ingles. “I look forward to working closely with all of our clients to help them achieve their production and business goals.”
Episode 497: Scaling new heights with Plus One Robotics
In the latest episode of The New Warehouse Podcast, Kevin chats with Erik Nieves, CEO of Plus One Robotics. The company, known for integrating advanced robotics into warehouse operations, recently surpassed a significant milestone of one billion picks, marking a major achievement in warehouse automation. Tune in and hear how Plus One Robotics is addressing labor shortages and enhancing warehouse operations with its groundbreaking robotics and AI technology. Bridging the Technology Gap in Warehouses Erik Nieves founded Plus One Robotics to address a crucial gap in warehouse automation. He notes, “The warehouse was going to be the next major vertical to adopt industrial robotics at scale.” Despite the potential, Erik cites a technological gap in vision software and grasping capabilities hindered widespread adoption. Plus One Robotics focuses on solving this problem by developing advanced perception software, enabling robots to handle the variability inherent in warehouse operations. “It’s not a robot arm problem. It’s a perception and grasping problem,” Nieves emphasizes, highlighting the company’s innovative approach. Adapting to Labor Shortages with AI and Robotics The labor shortage in logistics is a pressing issue, and Plus One Robotics leverages AI and robotics to mitigate this challenge. Nieves advises warehouse operators, “If you can get the labor you need to meet your volumes and your cutoff windows, please do. Because there is no more flexible, adaptable resource than people.” However, when labor is scarce, automation becomes essential. Erik introduces new solutions from Plus One Robotics, including the InductOne system and depalletizing solution, which were built to enhance throughput and efficiency. The Human Touch in AI-Driven Automation Despite advancements in AI, Nieves underscores the importance of human intervention in maintaining system reliability. Plus One Robotics employs a “human-in-the-loop” approach, where remote supervision ensures minimal downtime. “The interval from the time it said, ‘I don’t know what I’m doing,’ till it’s running again is always under 10 seconds,” Nieves explains. This approach not only boosts system uptime but also alleviates concerns of complete reliance on AI, making automation more acceptable to warehouse operators. Key Takeaways from Plus One Robotics Plus One Robotics is addressing crucial gaps in warehouse automation with a focus on vision software and grasping technologies. Achieving over one billion picks demonstrates their technology’s effectiveness and scalability. The potential for robotic automation in logistics continues to grow, promising significant advancements in efficiency and capability. The New Warehouse Podcast Episode 497: Scaling New Heights with Plus One Robotics
Peak Technologies announces strategic partnership with Robotize for warehouse automation
Peak Technologies, a global provider of smart warehouse solutions, has announced its strategic partnership with Robotize, a cutting-edge robotics company specializing in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This collaboration aims to revolutionize warehouse heavy pallet movement, enhancing efficiency and productivity. As part of its commitment to smart technologies, Peak Technologies has consistently focused on developing innovative solutions for warehouse automation. Peak’s expertise lies in creating intelligent systems that optimize logistics, reduce operational costs, and improve overall supply chain management. Robotize’s AMRs are at the forefront of warehouse and manufacturing automation, offering seamless integration with existing infrastructure. These agile robots can navigate complex environments, transport heavy pallets, and precisely perform repetitive tasks. By joining forces with Robotize, Peak Technologies aims to accelerate the adoption of AMRs across industries, streamlining operations and ensuring a competitive edge for its clients. “We are excited to collaborate with Robotize,” commented Tony Rivers, CEO of Peak Technologies. “Their expertise in robotics design and engineering aligns perfectly with Peak’s ability to sell, implement, and support advanced automation solutions that enable smarter, more efficient warehouses and factories. Together, we will unlock new opportunities for our customers, enabling them to achieve unprecedented levels of productivity.” Anders Pjetursson, CEO at Robotize added, “We look forward to working closely with Peak Technologies as we drive the next generation of internal material transport automation together. Our shared passion for innovation and excellence will redefine how goods move within distribution centers, ensuring seamless operations and rapid scalability.” The Peak/Robotize partnership will focus on joint business development and on bringing advanced AMR technology to warehouse and manufacturing operations across the globe. Peak Technologies and Robotize are committed to delivering solutions that empower businesses to thrive in an increasingly dynamic market.
Zion Solutions Group joins forces with Locus Robotics to supercharge warehouse productivity
In a groundbreaking move set to enhance and redefine warehouse operations, Zion Solutions Group has announced its strategic partnership with Locus Robotics. This collaboration leverages the Locus Global Alliance Network, a consortium of the warehouse industry’s best and brightest, dedicated to propelling productivity and transforming supply chains with innovative robotics, service, and software solutions. “Embarking on this partnership with Locus Robotics is a leap forward in our mission to innovate and optimize warehouse operations for our customers,” said Jim Shaw, President of Zion Solutions Group. “Locus Robotics stands out in the realm of warehouse automation. Their solutions fit into any warehouse environment, and together, we aim to deliver seamless, scalable, and rapidly valuable solutions to our customers.” This partnership represents a synergy of Zion Solutions Group’s extensive expertise in supply chain integration and Locus Robotics’ pioneering AI-driven robotic solutions. It signals a unified approach to tackling today’s logistics challenges, offering clients a robust, affordable, intuitive robotic warehouse automation solution that enhances productivity, reduces costs, and scales effortlessly. “The Locus Global Alliance Network thrives on collaboration with leaders like Zion Solutions Group to push the boundaries of what’s possible in supply chain management,” stated Steve Simmerman, Head of Global Alliances. “Our combined efforts will ensure clients benefit from a comprehensive, end-to-end solution that is not just easy to integrate but is also designed for maximum productivity gains from the outset. We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with a System Integrator with Zion’s reputation for solving problems in the industry.” Zion Solutions Group’s partnership with Locus Robotics underscores a shared commitment to delivering field-proven results and addressing the dynamic needs of the robotic market. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize warehouse operations by providing: Expert Integration: Seamlessly blending Locus’s AI-driven robotics with Zion’s unique supply chain solutions. Scalable Solutions: Tailored to fit any environment and grow alongside business needs. Immediate Value: Delivering significant productivity gains and cost reductions from day one. As this partnership unfolds, Zion Solutions Group and Locus Robotics are not just reimagining warehouse operations; they’re setting the stage for the future of logistics.
Future proof your supply chain: Embracing Automation and AI
Supply chain leaders are turning to automation and AI to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate the customer experience Automation in both process and physical forms has been around dating back as far as the Industrial Revolution. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that automation began to emerge in supply chains. Back then, warehouse automation—such as automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), sortation systems, and conveyors—involved expensive physical infrastructure and millions of dollars in capital. What’s more, as business models evolved or companies created new models, these approaches struggled to be responsive. Fast forward to today. With advances in technology that include AI/machine learning and RPA in the form of software robotics, modern automation such as AMRs and other automated systems are much more conducive for pilots with small investments—providing the ability to prove value before a larger commitment is made. This benefit is just one of several reasons supply chain leaders need to embrace the enormous potential for advances in automation and AI technologies, which will continue to gain momentum for years to come. Additional benefits include: A solution to labor shortages: Finding enough workers with the right skill sets has opened the door for the adoption of warehouse automation, including the use of automated sorting systems, picking and packing automation, robotic automation, and autonomous vehicles. In addition to reducing dependence on human labor, these solutions can increase efficiency by operating 24/7 without fatigue. This translates into reduced costs and higher productivity levels, helping warehouses meet customer demands even during peak periods. Additionally, automation systems can minimize the risk of injuries to human workers by performing hazardous tasks. Enhanced customer experience: Brands and retailers are investing heavily in automation and AI to meet consumer demands for fast and reliable delivery. For example, AI helps companies optimize routes and provide accurate delivery estimates. Additionally, AI-driven chatbots can track orders, handle routine inquiries, and offer product recommendations—enabling companies to minimize response times and allow human customer service representatives to focus on complex issues. Improved accuracy/reduced errors: Precision is one of the most significant advantages of warehouse automation. The implementation of automated systems can drastically reduce human errors, which can lead to more accurate order fulfillment and inventory management. This can go a long way in maintaining customer satisfaction while reducing waste. Enhanced demand forecasting: AI technology excels at forecasting demand by extracting insights from extensive repositories of data, including numerous sources such as past sales records, customer transactions, social media mentions and prevailing economic indicators—helping supply chain and logistics organizations maintain the delicate balance between consumer demand and supply. Additionally, AI projection tools can help facilitate better collaboration between supply chain partners by allowing demand forecast data to be shared with suppliers. This helps businesses optimize inventory levels and minimize stockouts while creating a harmonized supply chain system. Real-time visibility: It’s vital for today’s businesses to have complete, real-time supply chain visibility. AI-powered systems provide this level of visibility by integrating data from various sources such as suppliers, manufacturers, logistics providers and retailers. This helps businesses track inventory levels, monitor shipments, identify bottlenecks and respond quickly to disruptions or changes in demand—which enhances overall supply chain agility. Take the First Step—Consult with a Supply Chain and Logistics Expert Before investing in automation and AI, it’s important for supply chain leaders to understand the complex nature of these technologies as well as the current and future state of the market. This can be effectively accomplished by leveraging the expertise of a supply chain logistics and implementation partner—one that can help you deliver a customer experience that will build brand loyalty and accelerate growth. About the Author: Recognized for industry thought leadership and customer value creation, Jagan Reddy brings 25 years of experience in building and delivering supply chain and logistics solutions to his position as Managing Partner of Netlogistik US.
Dematic names Michael Oren Senior Vice President of Sales for the Americas region
Oren to drive strategic sales efforts for Dematic Americas with two decades of leadership experience Further strengthening America’s leadership team, Dematic names Michael Oren as senior vice president of sales for the Americas region. Oren will join Dematic at the company’s Americas headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan to lead a sales team of roughly 95 professionals. In this role, he will be responsible for the development of the sales strategy, including nurturing and retaining accounts, driving company growth initiatives, and building relationships with strategic partners. “Michael brings more than two decades of expertise in leading and scaling teams, driving sales, and fostering organizational excellence,” says Mike Larsson, president, Dematic and KION Group executive board member. “Michael’s deep understanding of customer needs is reflected in his dedication to innovation and improvement. Under his leadership, I am confident that our Americas sales team will continue to enhance our customer-centric culture.” Oren joins Dematic from Xerox where he recently served as vice president of global services. In this role, Oren oversaw global software and services, strategy, business development, partnerships, and more. Throughout his 20-year tenure at Xerox, Oren held several additional leadership positions, including U.S. vice president enterprise services, vice president of global sales, and vice president of central and eastern U.S. sales. “Dematic’s innovative approach to addressing supply chain challenges makes this an incredible time to join the team,” says Oren. “With clients at the forefront of everything Dematic does, I am eager to harness our team’s collective strengths to achieve continued success on behalf of our clients.” Oren completed executive master’s courses at the University of Navarra, Harvard Business School, and Stanford University, and he received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and social psychology from Miami University in Ohio.
IFOY Award 2024 winners announced
Jungheinrich, RAVAS EUROPE, SAFELOG with Mercedes, SSI Schäfer, and STILL have been announced as winners of the IFOY Award 2024. The International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award recognizes the year’s best intralogistics products and solutions. The international jury of the 2024 global intralogistics competition nominated a total of 16 products and solutions from 15 companies in seven categories and voted on the winners following a three-stage audit. Brightpick, Brightpick Autopicker – Start-up of the Year The IFOY Spin-off Award “Start-up of the Year” goes to Brightpick for the autonomous, mobile picking robot Brightpick Autopicker. The international jury selected the AI-based 2-in-1 robot as the best new development in this market segment. The Autopicker from Brightpick, a start-up founded in Bratislava in 2021, is the world’s first autonomous mobile picking robot. Brightpick worked closely with its sister company Photoneo on its development. Same founders, similar technology: 3D vision, robotics, AI, and software for a functioning warehouse execution system. Autopicker installations with a total of 70 devices can now be found in the USA (headquarters), Germany, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. What’s new about this type of picking: the Autopicker pulls the source tote from the standard rack, which does not require rollers or rails. As the robot moves to the next storage location, it picks the target tote like a human picker, taking the picked tote to the next storage location. There must therefore always be an empty space available in which the bin can be placed. The autopicker works with a trolley that independently picks and consolidates orders–without human intervention. In technical terms, Autopicker uses a patented design with two bins for this process to pull storage bins (storage tote) from the shelf, pick the items using a robotic gripper arm and place them in an order tote. The big difference to other fulfillment robots is that the autopicker does not have to go to central picking stations. Another advantage is its versatility, as it can be used not only for picking in the rack aisle, but also for other tasks such as pallet picking, warehouse replenishment, dynamic storage, order consolidation, temporary storage and shipping. And if human dexterity is required for picking, for example, the autopicker can also be used for normal goods-to-person picking. The robots can also reliably pick a wide range of products, including chilled and non-chilled food, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, packaged goods, cosmetics, electronics and textiles in plastic packaging. The entire autopicker fleet and the fulfilment process in the warehouse are orchestrated and optimised by the Brightpick intuition software. IFOY Verdict The fact that picking takes place while a robot is moving from one location to another without the robot having to return to a “base station” is new and revolutionary. Although an exact measurement during the live assessment at Test Days was not possible, a higher throughput rate and thus a considerable time saving could be confirmed. This leads to a reduction in the number of robots required, which has a positive effect on the return on investment and noticeably reduces picking costs. According to Brightpick, the savings in labour costs are significantly higher than with traditional goods-to-person stations, with higher throughput, easier installation and lower costs. The company claims that picking costs have been halved. Click here for the original test report, IFOY Innovation Check and pictures Jungheinrich, EJC 112i – Warehouse Truck Highlifter of the Year The IFOY Award 2024 in the “Warehouse Truck Highlifter” category goes to the EJC 112i from Jungheinrich. The international jury voted the compact highlifter the best new product in this category. With its compact design and outstanding performance, the EJC 112i sets a new standard in the entry-level segment and clearly stands out from the competition. Especially in small warehouses with narrow aisles, the high residual capacity enables optimum space utilisation. Together with the small turning radius and user-friendly operation, it is clear why the EJC 112i makes day-to-day work easier for every operator. The EJC 112i is more than just a further development of its predecessor, but offers an even more compact and manoeuvrable solution thanks to the integrated lithium-ion battery. When designing the truck, Jungheinrich paid particular attention to the high energy density of lithium-ion technology, which stores the same amount of energy in significantly smaller modules. This not only saves space, but also opens up new possibilities in terms of truck size. The result is immediately apparent: the EJC 112i has a smaller L2 size, offers a good view of the fork and has a low overall height. The impressively small turning circle makes manoeuvring effortless, even in tight spaces. To compensate for the shorter length and lower weight of the lithium-ion battery, the truck has been completely redesigned. The mast profiles have been widened in the side view and the steering arms have been reinforced. The entire chassis is balanced to ensure optimum force equalisation. The result is immediately noticeable when the load is lifted. At the maximum 1,200 kg, the EJC 112i does not move and effortlessly lifts up to 2,900 mm. Up to 3,800 mm, the truck picks up 830 kg and at the maximum lift height of 4,700 mm, 650 kg still remains, all with a load distance of 600 mm. The increased residual capacity of the EJC 112i optimises space utilisation and minimises floor space requirements, as heavier loads can be stored in higher racks. The IFOY test confirms that the EJC 112i offers the best performance in its class, with exceptionally high lifting and lowering speeds and efficient performance. Thanks to the more powerful pump motor and a better balance between pump power and lift cylinder, the new truck lifts significantly faster than its predecessor and well above the average in this class. The driving and acceleration speeds have remained almost the same. In the most powerful setting, P3, the EJC 112i achieves a comfortable, even speed of 6.05 km/h with and without a load. The battery capacity and the power of the charger
Episode 493: Automation & Mobility at Momentum 2024 with Agility Robotics & Manhattan Associates
In this engaging session from Momentum 2024, I was joined by a panel consisting of Adam Kline and Matt Dermody from Manhattan Associates and Pete Allen from Agility Robotics to discuss the current state of automation and mobility in the warehouse industry. The discussion highlights advancements in robot technology, particularly focused on humanoid robots, their practical applications, user experience considerations in warehousing, and the future landscape of automation. The Current State of Automation There has been a huge uptick in automation solutions coming to market in the warehouse space and the panel agrees that labor challenges and finding ways to augment labor are one of the biggest driving factors for this uptick. Adam even mentions how just 5 or 6 years ago at Momentum you would not see robotic solutions at the show but this year there was a presence and most notably the presence of Digit from Agility Robotics, a humanoid robot. As we look at the many options that are on the market, Matt points out how there is a variation in form factors that are allowing for different processes to now be automated and how AI is allowing for more to be done as well. Humanoids in the Warehouse When it comes to form factors of robotic solutions, humanoids are certainly garnering a lot of attention. The combination of the humanoid form factor and AI allows for rapid training opportunities that can make a humanoid robot more flexible in what processes it can utilize. Agility Robotics is pushing warehouse automation forward with its humanoid option, Digit, and has firmly put its flag in the sand on being the warehouse humanoid robot. This has been further solidified through their partnership with Manhattan which allows them to integrate with the Manhattan Active Warehouse Management platform and help Manhattan’s users easily bring humanoid robots into their workflows. As of right now, these robots are just moving totes in different ways but Pete discusses the evolution of them and their pursuit to make them into collaborative robots that can work right beside you. The Future of Automation Without a doubt, automation is here to stay and will continue to evolve in the coming years. Manhattan is positioning themselves to be able to support these advancements and make utilizing these solutions easier for their end users. The most interesting concept from this conversation came from Matt who describes the future of robotics having a virtual gym where AI based robotics can easily go in to learn a new task. In this virtual gym the robot will be able to replicate the processes at a rapid rate allowing for new tasks to quickly be learned. Through these advancements, robots will be able to become more flexible and adaptable to new environments or tasks. Key Takeaways Undoubtedly, labor challenges are driving the uptick in automation solutions hitting the market and giving reason for these solutions to continue to be present in our industry. Humanoids are a fairly new form factor to the robotics space and Agility Robotics is focusing on the warehouse specifically by positioning themselves with partnerships like the one with Manhattan Associates, Zion Solutions Group and GXO. To help advance the development of robots, AI is playing a large part in how quickly these robots can and will be able to adapt to their environment and have additional flexibility to focus on more than one task. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 493: Automation & Mobility at Momentum 2024 with Agility Robotics & Manhattan Associates
Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. hosts its first Robot Roadshow event in Ohio
The Robot Roadshow allows attendees eager to learn, experience, or purchase automation to have hands-on interactions with Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s latest robots and robotic innovations. Mitsubishi Electric Automation, Inc. hosted its first-ever Robot Roadshow in late April 2024 to bring newly launched robots and robotic solutions to the Midwest. The two-day event, held at the Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America office in Mason, Ohio, brought in over 75 OEMs, System Integrators, Distributors, End-Users, engineers, education partners, and Mitsubishi Electric Automation channel partners. At the event, several demonstrations showcased the customizability of our LoadMate™ Plus engineered solution based on the robot series and size necessary for an application. Other demonstrations included machine tending and standard base options for Mitsubishi Electric Automation’s newest robotic-engineered solution, ARIA (Automated Robotic Industrial Assistant). Mitsubishi Electric Automation presented its newly released large robots, the RV-12 and RV-80, which created much excitement for attendees. In support of this event, ICONICS, a group company of Mitsubishi Electric, demonstrated real-time data and analytics visualization for robotic applications. “Thank you to all the customers who attended this event to learn more about our robotic automation and digital transformation offerings. Our demonstrations of our newly released modular ARIA platforms and robots were all a huge hit. I extend our gratitude to Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America for allowing us to host this event at your facility as well as the ICONICS and Mitsubishi Electric Automation team for making this show a great success. Stay tuned for more events from us!” said Britt Davis, regional sales manager (central) at Mitsubishi Electric Automation.
Cobot Systems announces UR+ Partnership with its Laser Welding Cobot System
Cobot Systems has announced that it is now a UR+ Partner with their showcase Laser Welding Cell system. This distinction marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey to provide automated workforce solutions that are broadly accessible. This approval highlights Cobot Systems’ dedication to providing innovative solutions compatible with Universal Robots (UR) products, ensuring seamless collaboration and increased productivity with the all-in-one Laser Welding Robot. Cobot Systems developed the industry-first Laser Welding Cobot System, which is designed as a complete engineered package for automating welding processes typically done by MIG/GMAW or TIG/GTAW. The Cobot Systems Laser Welding Robot combines the usability of the Universal Robots UR10e collaborative robot with the speed of the IPG LightWELD laser. “Our pre-engineered welding package is a laser welding system built around the Universal Robots UR10e collaborative robot,” says Brian Knopp, co-founder of Cobot Systems. “By integrating the handheld laser with the cobot, companies can take advantage of the higher speeds and maximize quality through the precision positioning capabilities of the cobot.” The UR+ Laser Welding Cobot System enables businesses to: Increase welding efficiency while decreasing processing time Reduce manual touch time and training Diversify their welding capabilities to include new materials Achieve flawless results with minimal distortion, deformation, undercutting, and burn-through. UR+ partners are companies like Cobot Systems that exhibit seamless compatibility and streamlined workflows with Universal Robots products.
Queen City Robotics Alliance annual fundraiser Hops & Bots
Friday, May 31, 5:30-7:30 pm, at The Zone Queen City Robotics Alliance is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser of the year. Hops & Bots is Friday, May 31, at The Zone, Charlotte’s home for FIRST® Robotics teams and STEM education programs. This unique fundraiser brings together a city filled with innovative technology companies and delicious craft beer. Attendees will be able to network with other business and technology professionals, learn what QCRA does for the community, and see robotics demonstrations all while sipping on delicious local craft brews. This event is open to anyone 21 and over. Attend to hear guest speaker Stephen Saucier, President of Sullenberger Aviation Museum. He will not only provide a preview of the aviation museum’s new facility and programs, which will open to the public the next day, June 1, he will also talk about how QCRA’s robotics training and STEM education programs provide the foundation needed for the aviation industry’s future. This will be the first time this event has been held in QCRA’s home facility The Zone located at 2102 Cambridge Beltway Dr., Suite B. QCRA robotics students will be giving robot demonstrations and tours of the facility and light hors d’ oeuvres and desserts will be served. The event is from 5:30-7:30 PM, please join us for networking from 5-5:30 PM. Along with ticket proceeds, QCRA will also hold a 50/50 raffle, special prize raffles, and an online auction to raise even more money for our programs, like summer robotics and coding camps. These fun prizes come from a variety of Charlotte area businesses including Carowinds, NASCAR Hall of Fame, Sullenberger Aviation Museum, Tone & Tap Fitness, Applewood Gallery, TopGolf Southwest Charlotte, and Chipotle. We’d also like to thank our event sponsors Sycamore Brewing, Sugar Creek Brewing Company, and Wooden Robot Brewery for providing the evening’s beer selection. Soft drinks are available courtesy of the event sponsor the Coca-Cola Foundation.
Tom Panzarella appointed Chief Technology Officer at Seegrid
Seegrid Corporation has announced Tom Panzarella as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). In this critical leadership role, Panzarella will spearhead Seegrid’s technological initiatives to continue guiding the development of cutting-edge autonomous solutions that work—meeting evolving customer needs and delivering unmatched ROI. Panzarella’s appointment underscores Seegrid’s commitment to innovation and industry advancement in the rapidly evolving field of robotics and automation. “I am very pleased to appoint Tom to the role of Chief Technology Officer,” said CEO and President Joe Pajer. “Tom’s exceptional leadership and dedication to technological innovation have been pivotal in shaping Seegrid’s market-leading AMR solutions. With Tom at the helm of our technology and development teams, I am confident that Seegrid will continue to revolutionize the future of material handling automation.” As CTO, Panzarella will lead Seegrid’s technology initiatives, including the development of cutting-edge autonomous solutions that empower customers to optimize their material handling workflows. His strategic vision will drive the advancement of Seegrid’s proprietary autonomy technology, further enhancing the safety, efficiency, and flexibility of its proven AMRs. “I am honored to take on the role of Chief Technology Officer at Seegrid,” said Panzarella. “Seegrid’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions is truly inspiring, and I am excited to lead our talented team of engineers as we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in autonomous material handling.” Panzarella began working with Seegrid in 2017 while he was building his first perception-based start-up company, Love Park Robotics (LPR). Seegrid partnered with LPR to successfully apply LPR’s pallet detection technology in its AMR solutions. After LPR was acquired in 2018 by ifm, he founded a second start-up named Box Robotics. Box was focused on rebuilding the AGV perception stack with human-like spatial awareness by leveraging long-range 3D LiDAR, Deep Learning, and HD Maps—in direct alignment with Seegrid’s long-term technology vision. Seegrid acquired Box Robotics in September 2020, making Panzarella and his co-founder John Spletzer technology leaders within the company, focused on the successful commercialization of the Box technology stack in our AMR solutions today. Panzarella has over 27 years of experience in engineering and robotics. As the new CTO, Panzarella will steer Seegrid’s technology and product development, working closely with our customers on the required technology and innovation initiatives, and represent Seegrid across the technical bodies that are driving the growth of autonomy across the industry. Q&A with Tom Panzarella: Q: What excites you most about your new role as CTO? A: The most exciting thing for me is the timing and the opportunity to make a lasting impact. Right now there is a convergence of several factors that is driving our market. First, the macroeconomic condition around the stability of labor supply creates an almost urgent need for autonomy technology. Second, our customers have what is seemingly an endless number of problems that they are trying to solve which lead to increased demand for our solutions. Third, foundational technology in areas such as sensors, embedded computers, artificial intelligence, and open-source robotics software have all matured to the point that they can be incorporated into cost-effective and robust solutions. This could not have been timed better. I am thrilled to be a part of a leading organization in the AMR space and to be appointed into a role where I can help to influence the next generation of industrial automation. Q: What are your primary goals and objectives as Seegrid’s new Chief Technology Officer? A: Seegrid was founded by a legendary roboticist, Dr. Hans Moravec. The company was formed around the commercialization of Hans’ work in infrastructure-free localization built on stereo vision and 3D probabilistic mapping. Seegrid was disruptive in commercializing Hans’ work—and we produced a solution that is highly predictable but requires no infrastructure changes, with routes that can be trained by simply walking the vehicle through the facility. Seegrid literally laid the foundation for the AMR revolution that we are all currently witnessing. Today, we are revolutionizing the industry again—by offering technology that can scale from this highly predictable solution which is appropriate in many cases, to solutions that offer tremendous flexibility, built upon Seegrid’s dynamic path planning. As Seegrid’s new CTO, my primary goal is to stay true to our heritage in innovating and commercializing deep robotics technology, to align this technology to our customer’s objectives, and to push our market forward for our customers and society as a whole. Q: How do you envision Seegrid’s technology evolving under your leadership? A: Our technology will evolve in support of our customers’ needs—a solution-based offering that supports full end-to-end autonomous workflows as we’re already seeing with our industry-leading Autonomous Buffer Management (ABM) solution. In the tech stack, this is an architecture that looks at AMRs and enterprise software as a single distributed computing system that is designed to solve problems, easy to tune, and is observable. By having direct exposures to the kinds of problems our lead customers are trying to solve, you can expect to see continued investment and market leadership in our manipulation stack and AI perception models, significant enhancements to our planning systems to include fleet-scale optimization, and an increasingly innovative set of capabilities offered in Fleet Central, our enterprise software platform. Q: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for Seegrid in the coming years? A: Growth in the autonomous lift truck market is a sweet spot for Seegrid. As we continue building out our Palion Lift Truck solutions—the CR1 and RS1—we focus on providing the most capable systems in the market today. We’ve made huge investments in our manipulation software—composed of perception feedback systems, dynamic planners, controllers, and safety systems over and above regulatory requirements—that will generalize to nearly any manipulation task that can be handled by a lift truck. Our leading-edge AI perception models segment the scene in real time into semantically relevant objects of interest. This facilitates high-level reasoning by our planning and execution software to ensure we can carry out the work safely and reliably. This core capability is an innovative and true differentiator between Seegrid and others in the market today and is setting a new standard
Comau new Hollow Wrist industrial robots
Comaus S-Family robots are expressly designed for arc welding, e-mobility, food & beverage, and handling applications where accuracy, repeatability, and speed are non-negotiable. They combine flexibility, repeatability, and accuracy with smaller footprints and multiple mounting positions to increase robot density without sacrificing performance. With an element-resistant hollow wrist design and fully integrated arc and gigabit dressings, the compact red robots grant improved access to small spaces. The easy-to-use, easy-to-install, and energy-efficient design combines better performance with reduced energy consumption and costs. The first two high-speed robots, with payloads of 13 kg and up to 18 kg, are expressly indicated for assembly, arc welding and handling applications where accuracy, repeatability, and speed are non-negotiable. Characterized by their exacting performance and historical red robot design, they also reflect Comau’s dedication to making automation more accessible to diverse and non-automotive industries. The compact, robust and versatile robots can easily access small spaces and tight areas that are difficult to reach with other robots. And because they are highly energy efficient, as certified in accordance with Fraunhofer procedure instruction, the S-Family of 6-axis articulated robots help companies achieve higher production quality and better performance with reduced energy consumption and costs. S-Family robots are perfect for applications requiring extreme accuracy and speed while ensuring full protection from elements including water, dust and other contaminants. With their best-in-class protective IP68 hollow-wrist design, the electrical and auxiliary cabling runs inside the wrist which allows the robots to enjoy greater agility while minimizing the risk of damage. Furthermore, they are the only robots to feature fully integrated arc and gigabit dressings, which help remove layout constraints, make assembly and installation easy, ensure faster response times and significantly reduce cable kinking, breakage and subsequent maintenance costs. So, in addition to automating welding, handling, foundry, automotive, and battery manufacturing processes, the S-Family can be easily used for food & beverage and general assembly applications. Finally, the robots can be mounted on the floor, wall or ceiling to optimize space without sacrificing performance. “Comau’s new S-Family of small, high-speed robots combines efficiency and technical excellence with the features and functionality required for effective deployment within new markets and dedicated application areas,” explains Nicole Clement, Chief Business Unit Leader for Advanced Automation Solutions. “Our commitment to making automation easier to install and use, especially within non-automotive markets where automation is growing fast, is yet another way Comau is bringing the power of automation to an increasingly diverse sector of industries and applications.” S-Family robots have been tested and certified for energy efficiency in accordance with Fraunhofer procedures and are available in two different payload configurations (13 and 18 kg) with a 1700 mm reach and a repeatability of ±0,03mm.
AFORMIC showcases innovative low-profile AMR for flexible manufacturing at Automate 2024
AFORMIC, a provider of Autonomous Intralogistics Solutions, will open its showroom of cutting-edge autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for flexible manufacturing and warehousing during the Automate Show 2024, the largest exhibition of automation in North America, taking place from May 6 to 9 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The AFORMIC’s smart robotics solution is a proven choice for real-time intralogistics management, by providing automation in material handling to reduce operational expenses and increase efficiency in manufacturing and warehouse processes. The solution includes an AI-powered integrated software management system called Qursor and customized AFORMIC F-series AMRs. The company will showcase its solution, including its latest NextGen AMR models, at Booth 1019 during Automate 2024. “AFORMIC offers end-to-end solutions that include robotics, innovative technology, and software from a single source. We are one of North America’s leading providers in the material handling automation industry with one of the world’s most comprehensive fleets of AMRs and intralogistics software suites. Understanding the potential of Industry 4.0, we have designed a solution that not only automates the flow of materials within the company but also allows for changing the logic of the production process itself”, says Tim Meyer, Vice President of AFORMIC. Customizing AMRs unlocks new possibilities for production During Automate 2024, the company will showcase the latest models of AFORMIC AMRs from the F series, including the AMR F12, a super-safe, low-profile autonomous mobile robot designed for automating transportation operations within manufacturing plants. With a maximum payload of 800 kg and a speed of 1.5 m/s, the robot offers ergonomic and efficient handling of complex logistics processes. “Aformic’s unique business strategy aims to perfectly tailor the solution to the individual needs of each company. Customization applies to both the software system and the mobile robots from the AFORMIC AMRs family, as well as other devices and equipment that are part of the vehicle’s setup”, adds Tim Meyer, Vice President of AFORMIC. AFORMIC’s robots are implemented using process simulation to test and optimize their behavior in virtual environments. AFORMIC’s AMRs move materials and products around a factory floor, adapting to changing production needs and minimizing human intervention. “It’s not just about automating point-to-point deliveries. For example, AFORMIC AMRs are implemented as product carriers and automate the flow of goods within the facility and warehouse. However, this type of AMR can also be an integral part of the production process, ensuring the transport of the manufactured product or interacting directly with automation and information systems. Such use of autonomous mobile robots allows for creating of flexible production scenarios, improving the manufacturing process and its handling”, explains an AFORMIC expert. Thanks to artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, AFORMIC AMR vehicles can be autonomously managed, without operator supervision, by the Qursor Fleet Management System. This software solution ensures smooth communication with any production and warehouse management systems, as well as real-time process monitoring (RTLS). “We can indeed integrate our solution with the entire factory and warehouse environment, including MES/WMS systems, the traffic control system, access management to special zones, and many other processes. This unique solution opens up entirely new possibilities for automatic management of material flow and logistics at large,” says the Vice President of AFORMIC.
Cimcorp has announced new VP of Operations
Leveraging three decades of expertise in managing international projects, Anne Happonen will support the company’s global initiatives and will support project leadership Cimcorp has appointed Anne Happonen as the company’s new Vice President of Operations. With an extensive career in helping global organizations navigate the intricate landscape of international business, Happonen is passionate about leading diverse teams and fostering strong customer relationships—a passion that aligns with Cimcorp’s ethos. Today, Cimcorp offers a comprehensive range of automated solutions—including automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), picking and sortation, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and a Warehouse Control System (WCS)—that enable tire factories and grocery distributors to tackle their biggest warehousing and distribution challenges, like energy efficiency, waste, and overall supply chain operations. “I’m excited for the opportunity to spearhead innovative automation projects as the new Vice President of Operations at Cimcorp,” said Happonen, “As a globally known company, Cimcorp has superb solutions, and I’m thrilled to be a part of a company that is a profitable, proud leader in their field and shows care for employees and partners alike.” With over three decades of experience in leading successful organizations, including global brands Cargotec, Sandvik, and Patria, Happonen’s philosophy is grounded in the principles of transparency, collaboration, and adaptability. “Successful leadership is about enabling the ease of work for others and fostering a culture of openness and trust. In this role, my wish is to provide the team with the best possible conditions to thrive. I strive to inspire teams to achieve goals, and my own inspiration stems from seeing people do their work with pride,” said Happonen. “This philosophy also translates to customers. It’s important to understand the big picture and realize that any negotiation is about the people. Honesty and humanity are essential in international business.” With nearly 500 employees globally, Cimcorp is passionate about optimizing material flows and has developed unique robotic solutions for order fulfillment and storage for leading companies in food and beverage, retail, e-commerce, consumer goods, and tire manufacturing. Additionally, Cimcorp offers Success Services for continuous maintenance and support to help customers secure a lifecycle of 20 years or more for their automation technology. As she embarks on this new chapter at Cimcorp, Happonen brings her a stellar track record and a genuine commitment to making a difference in the world—one project at a time.
Kassow Robots launches the world’s first 7-axis cobot series with a controller integrated into the base
Greater flexibility for mobile solutions & additional space savings for cramped facilities With its Edge Edition, Kassow Robots has launched the world’s first 7-axis cobots in which the controller is integrated into the base of the robot. All five of the 7-axis cobots are now available in two versions: the classic variant with a separate controller, and the Edge Edition. Kristian Kassow and his engineering team have succeeded in miniaturizing the controller so that it now only occupies around 10% of the volume of the external controller. The footprint of the Edge edition’s base is extremely compact, measuring only 160 by 200 millimeters. These cobot models are powered by direct current, meaning that they can be directly connected to any DC power supply, for example, a battery of mobile robots. There are also easily accessible 60 IO connections. With these new models, the Copenhagen-based cobot manufacturer is making it easier for industrial companies to automate their operations. At the same time, their lightweight robots open up new opportunities for mobile cobot AMR and cobot AGV applications and various space-saving solutions. “The Edge Edition of our 7-axis cobots is a world first, enabling industrial customers to take a quantum leap in terms of flexible automation. Integrating the controller into the robot’s base delivers additional space savings and simplifies integration at the same time. The Edge Edition is ideal for simplifying mobile cobot applications—not least because it can be connected directly to the power supply of AGVs or AMRs. These mobile solutions hold tremendous potential for industrial automation,” highlights Kristian Kassow, founder and CEO of Kassow Robots. The five 7-axis cobot models, which the co-owner had developed especially for industrial use, were launched in 2019 and 2020. To this day, the company remains true to its motto of “strong, fast, simple.” The end customers use their 7-axis robots for applications such as CNC solutions and for machine tending, palletizing, labeling, dispensing, packaging, sanding, and more. More flexibility for SMEs “Additional floor space in production facilities comes with a heavy price tag and is sometimes not available at all. We make sure that automation can be implemented more flexibly in less space for companies of all sizes,” says Dieter Pletscher, Global Sales Manager at Kassow Robots. Companies that cannot expand or reconfigure their production facilities also benefit from the capabilities offered both by the Edge Edition and the five existing 7-axis cobots. Kassow Robots believes that these are especially useful for established SMEs with no additional production space that would prefer to avoid the costs of expansion. “Compactness can be a decisive advantage when it comes to process automation. Our Edge Edition allows for greater flexibility, not only thanks to the 7th axis featured by all of our robots but also by the controller integrated into the cobots‘ base,” explains Dieter Pletscher. SMEs can benefit from installing Edge Edition on mobile carts that allow employees to operatively move them to whichever location they are needed. Presentation at Automate 2024 in Chicago Kassow Robots presented a prototype of the Edge Edition at last year’s Automatica. In May 2024, one of the five Edge variants now available for ordering will be presented at North America’s biggest automation trade show, Automate, in Chicago (Booth 4250): the KR1410 Edge Edition, mounted on an AMR from Morrell Group.