Carter Controls
Toyota Advanced Logistics/Bastian
QComp Technologies
TREW Automation LLC
Vecna Robotics
Intelligent Flying Machines, Inc.
Clearpath Robotics. Inc.
PINC Solutions
KUKA Robotics
Frog Navigation Systems
FLEXiCELL
FANUC Robotics America, Inc.
Fastpic Systems
Episode 128 – ProGlove
In this episode, I got a chance to speak with Tracy Hansen of ProGlove. Tracy is the president, North America & Global CMO at ProGlove. We discuss ProGlove’s solution, disruptive innovation, and industry 4.0. Key Takeaways ProGlove is a German-based engineering company that is taking a human-centric approach to innovation and shaping the future of smart wearables for industry 4.0. Their newest glove system is a lightweight hand wrap that carries not only the scanner for scanning items for picks and other tasks but also has a display built-in. This is different in comparison to other wearables where you see the display on your wrist and the scanner is typically a ring scanner on your finger. This puts everything in one place for better comfort and visibility as well. One of the major benefits of ProGlove’s scanning devices is the freedom that it gives to the worker. Tracy has a great example where she asks the question can you do a cartwheel with your current solution. In most cases, you probably cannot but the freedom that ProGlove gives your hands allows you to do so much more. Due to this freedom, your productivity will increase because you will pick up valuable seconds on every pick that is typically spent picking up, checking, or manipulating a handheld device in some way. From a safety perspective, ProGlove also gives users better peace of mind by allowing them to have their hands free to lift properly and also hold on to things as necessary. Additionally, Tracy explains a new feature that they have rolled out that helps to keep social distancing in place in the workplace. The unit can sense where other units are so that it will give the user a notification when they get too close to someone else. The device emits a buzz that allows the user and those around to know that they are violating social distancing protocols. The weight of the device also helps to reduce the stress on the worker from doing repetitive motions which helps to reduce potential strain injuries. Tracy and I discuss how the transformation of the industry has been so rapid over the last few years with automation and digitizing many processes, however, humans are still very much a necessity. We discuss how even though so many things are advancing in robotics and industry 4.0 there is still a need for the human workforce. Tracy makes some really great points about how automation and robotics need to be human-centric to allow humans to be more capable and more effective at their jobs. Listen to the episode below and let us know your thoughts in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 128: ProGlove
Episode 126 – COVID-19 Safety with Zebra Technologies
In this episode, I was joined by former guest Mark Wheeler of Zebra Technologies. Mark is the Director of Supply Chain Solutions at Zebra Technologies and he has also been a previous guest all the way back in Episode 21. In this episode, we discuss how Zebra is helping companies through COVID-19, proper sanitization of devices, and their recent Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study. Key Takeaways When I last spoke with Mark we were both at MODEX in person back in March of this year and little did we know how much things would change in the months since. With Zebra Technologies being so involved in different aspects of the supply chain, I wanted to get a sense of how they are seeing the supply chain change from the pandemic. Mark points out that e-commerce has seen four-six years of growth push forward to this year which has really created a spike in demand and operations have had to keep up. Many of Zebra’s product offerings are handheld and often are shared between employees or shifts. This passing from shift to shift was not something we have necessarily been so conscious of in the past but with COVID the idea of sanitizing these devices has become very important. Mark discusses the sealing that their devices have always had which allows them to be safely sanitized without fear of damaging the unit. Additionally, many of the wearable devices like ring scanners or headsets for voice picking have accessories that can be easily personalized that attach to the hardware itself. When there is increased demand we see an increase in workers, as well as warehouse operations, need to ramp up their capacity and throughput. One of the pain points of utilizing these temporary workers is getting them trained quickly so they can be up and running. Mark discusses how their devices and the switch to the Android operating system has helped to create better user experiences. With a better user experience, it can decrease the amount of time needed to get someone started in their job and also help to reduce their frustrations as they use the system. Typically we look at reducing touchpoints to help throughput and cycle time but with the pandemic, we have looked at reducing touchpoints to reduce the risk of contamination. We discuss how technologies or rethinking process flows can help to reduce touchpoints or accommodate social distancing. Mark has an interesting point when it comes to picking by suggesting that zone picking is a great way to ensure that employees are not crossing paths or have a need to come within six feet of each other. Additionally, goods to person robots are also helping to keep individuals separated from each other by being the means of the handoff and transfer of product. Listen below and check out the Food Safety Supply Chain Vision Study here. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 126: COVID Safety with Zebra Technologies
Seegrid adds three Senior Leaders to its growing team
Seegrid Has Added 100 Employees in 2020 As It Continues to Grow Its Autonomous Industrial Mobile Robots Business Seegrid Corporation, the provider in self-driving industrial vehicles for material handling, has announced the expansion of its team with three growth-oriented senior leaders: Katy Elkin as Senior Director of Corporate Development, Doug Beaudet, who will serve as Head of Design, and Greg Cole as Director of Advanced Development. The announcement comes on the heels of Seegrid’s acquisition of Box Robotics and its co-founders Tom Panzarella and John Spletzer joining the Seegrid team as Senior Director of Perception and Director of Perception, respectively. “Attracting top talent who share our vision and transformational mindset is a critical component of our corporate philosophy and helps us provide our customers with the most competitive products in the industry,” said Jim Rock, Seegrid’s Chief Executive Officer. “I’m excited to expand our team with these three trailblazing leaders who collectively bring more than fifty years of expertise in product design, research, and business strategy. Katy, Doug, and Greg will help Seegrid accelerate the advancement of the latest technology solutions that enable companies to thrive as they enter an era that is ripe for material handling automation.” Katy Elkin has more than a decade of experience in emerging technology and business strategy, with a proven track record scaling revenue and operations within venture-backed companies. As Seegrid’s Senior Director of Corporate Development, Elkin is responsible for expanding Seegrid’s solutions portfolio capabilities on a global basis through strategic partnerships and acquisitions. Katy will be a member of the Executive Team, reporting directly to the CEO. Previously, Elkin was VP of Business Development at Desmos, a Google-backed global leader in math software, where she focused on growth. She also drove sales at Clever, solving a complex middleware technology challenge in the education sector, and worked at McKinsey & Company. Elkin holds an M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Michigan. Doug Beaudet has more than thirty years of expertise leading digital transformation in product design and user experience across a wide variety of Fortune 100 companies. As Seegrid’s Head of Design, Beaudet is responsible for infusing customer-centric design throughout the company’s culture and product offerings. Previously, Beaudet was Vice President, Global Experience Design at Honeywell, where he created a world-class design team that drove the customer “Insights of Things” to differentiate IoT offerings. He also led the user experience transformation as Global Director, Experience Design at the Whirlpool Corporation. Beaudet, who holds 17 U.S. patents, has an M.S. in Industrial Engineering/Human Factors from Virginia Tech and a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from SUNY Buffalo. Greg Cole has more than a decade of experience in product research and design, including robotics engineering. As Seegrid’s Director of Advanced Development, he is responsible for the company’s advanced development capabilities driving continuous technical innovation across the company. Cole is the co-founder of Medical Motion Corporation, a Boston-based medical robotic hardware company. Prior to joining Seegrid, Cole led a global research program for new electric vehicle charging infrastructure technology at ABB. He also worked on developing novel image-guided surgical robotics and interventional navigation technologies as a research scientist at Philips Healthcare. Cole holds a Ph.D. in Robotics Engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he also served as an adjunct professor and autonomous vehicles advisor in the robotics engineering program. These leadership additions follow Seegrid’s recent announcement that it planned to use $52 million in new capital to accelerate product development and expand its workforce. Seegrid has added 100 new employees so far this year as it continues to deliver best-in-class autonomous mobile robots and enterprise software solutions, automating warehouse and manufacturing environments of some of the largest brands in the world.
Applied Manufacturing Technologies hires Business Development Managers
AMT hires George Toldy, Jr., MBA and Stephen D. McLaren to support an increase in demand for the company’s engineering services, turnkey automated systems, and control system integration solutions Applied Manufacturing Technologies (AMT), North America’s largest independent automation engineering company supporting manufacturers, robot companies, systems integrators, line builders, and users of robotic automation worldwide, today announced the hire of two business development managers, George Toldy, Jr. and Stephen D. McLaren. Working under Vice President of Sales Rick Vanden Boom, Toldy and McLaren will spearhead regional key account business development efforts to help manufacturers with general automation, palletizing, and other material handling solutions. “We are excited to bring George and Steve onto the AMT sales team,” said Vanden Boom. “With their combined decades of industry experience, we now have the ability to more quickly meet the evolving needs of our customers.” George Toldy, Jr. comes to AMT with more than 25 years of sales experience with a heavy emphasis on the automation industry. Residing in the Sandusky, Ohio area, Toldy will focus on key accounts in the Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Western Pennsylvania/Western New York regions. A graduate of Baldwin Wallace University, Toldy holds his Master of Business Administration, as well as having studied architecture engineering at Kent State University and mechanical engineering at Lorain County Community College. Toldy also holds the Robotics Application Engineering Certification from FANUC America. Stephen D. McLaren brings more than 30 years of sales experience in the robotic and automation industries to his position as a Business Development Manager at AMT, having previously held positions at both robotics manufacturers and system integrators. McLaren will focus on key accounts in the Metro Detroit area. McLaren studied at the University of Texas and the University of Michigan – Flint.
Episode 125 – Wyebot
In this episode, I was joined by the CEO of Wyebot, Roger Sands. Wyebot is the leader in AI-driven WiFi automation and helps to ensure your network is optimized. We discuss the importance of network setups in the warehouse, how networks are evolving, and how Wyebot’s AI helps to improve network optimization. Key Takeaways Wyebot was formed out of recognizing the dynamic that warehouses have. Looking at how inventory is changing, layouts are changing and how automation is increasing, they recognized that the network needed to be automated as well. Their solution allows the WiFi connection to constantly be monitored and helps to identify points of weakness and quickly repair them remotely. With network connectivity being such a huge factor in allowing your operation to run, reducing potential downtime is critical. Roger gives us insight into what an optimized network really is. As we discuss the topic, we learn that optimization is key to a wireless connection where a wired connection is more predictable. Due to the dynamic environment in the warehouse, the network optimization can also be constantly changing due to signals being blocked or potentially interfered with. Roger points out that these networks should be constantly monitored because of all the changes and to ensure that the network continues to be optimized. The foundation of your network needs to be set up properly in order to have great connectivity throughout your facility. Roger walks us through the steps to take to ensure that you are starting with a strong network instead of trying to fix it later. He emphasizes the importance of doing a site survey first to map out the network and make sure that it will perform correctly by doing a benchmark. Once the operation starts to go in place, the network needs to be constantly benchmarked so any issues can be identified and corrected prior to a large disruption. Additionally, which I think is very important, connection issues for operators within the facilities also need to be reported and tracked to understand what other issues may exist within the network. Listen to the episode below and network with us in the comments. The New Warehouse Podcast EP 125: Wyebot
Entrepreneur Mark Cuban joins OnRobot and Hirebotics CEOs to discuss the Future of Manufacturing
In a virtual panel hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), robotics thought leaders gather on November 19 to discuss the benefits of collaborative robotics applications, offering insights and advice for manufacturers implementing this fast-growing segment of automation Robotics investor and entrepreneur Mark Cuban will join OnRobot CEO Enrico Krog Iversen and CEO of Hirebotics, Rob Goldiez, for an online panel discussion hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) on November 19 at 1:00 pm ET. The ‘Manufacturing: The Next Generation — through collaborative automation’ virtual event will see the robotics thought leaders discuss their powerful visions of the future of manufacturing. The expert panel will share insights on how collaborative automation helps future-proof manufacturing companies, helping to build resilience and reduce risk as the world navigates unprecedented COVID-19 challenges where uncertainty is now the only constant. Collaborative robotic applications are now the fastest-growing segment of the industrial automation market. It’s a trend that looks set to gain pace through 2020 and beyond as more companies deploy collaborative automation that solves specific manufacturing challenges with affordable and easy-to-use cobots or light industrial robots. These smaller robots offer application-specific tools with simple programming and setup, even for manufacturers with little experience. “We believe the use of automation technologies such as robotics, AI, machine vision and motion control is poised to skyrocket in the future as companies seek to improve their competitiveness through improved productivity, product quality, and time to market,” says Jeff Burnstein, President of A3, North America’s largest automation trade group. “Mark Cuban has been a strong proponent of automation as a way to help the United States become more competitive as a nation while addressing skilled worker shortages and improving conditions for the workforce, views shared by A3,” adds Burnstein, “We look forward to his insights as well as those from Enrico Krog Iversen and Rob Goldiez, who are both innovative robotics industry executives.” OnRobot CEO, Enrico Krog Iversen, emphasizes how user-friendly collaborative applications offer flexibility, low cost, and guarantees around worker health and safety that traditional robotics can’t compete with. “I’m excited to join forward thinkers like Mark Cuban and Rob Goldiez for us to share helpful insights for manufacturers that are thinking about deploying collaborative applications in their facility during Covid-19 and beyond,” he says. Iversen, formerly CEO of the world’s most successful cobot maker, Universal Robots (UR), could have retired comfortably when UR was acquired by Teradyne in 2015. Instead, Iversen assumed leadership at OnRobot, which has since become one of the world’s leading suppliers of low cost, no fuss, robotic tools including grippers, sensors, and vision cameras. “OnRobot is focused on lowering the barriers to automation adoption among small-to-medium size companies and serving as a one-stop-shop for all the end-effectors and components manufacturers need to make the most of their robotics investment,” explains Iversen. “We’re seeing that Covid-19 has accelerated pre-existing trends towards the adoption of collaborative automation, enabling companies to quickly retool operations in response to workforce interruptions, public health measures, or sudden changes in production demand.” Mark Cuban may be best known as the CEO of Dallas Mavericks and as the founder of the globally successful Shark Tank television show, but he has emerged as a strong advocate for robotics and automation as a way for manufacturers to remain competitive in what he has dubbed “America 2.0.” In 2017, Cuban became an investor in Hirebotics, a company that pioneered the provision of ‘robots-as-a-service’ and cloud-connected cobots. “We saw a tremendous need in the market to leverage automation in helping manufacturers meet labor shortages quickly without the need for capital investment and robotics know-how,” says Rob Goldiez, CEO of Hirebotics. “With our BotX Welder, we have recently turned our attention to welding – a segment of the manufacturing industry that is in a crisis with the shortage of skilled welders. I am thrilled to join Mark Cuban and Enrico Krog Iversen and share our unique approach to cobot applications.” Moderated by Robert Huschka, Director of Education Strategies at A3, the November 19 event is free and open for all to attend. Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4522312626498118415
Ocado acquires Kindred Systems
Ocado Group plc (“Ocado”), the leading online grocery platform and solutions provider, today announces the proposed acquisition of: · Kindred Systems Inc. (“Kindred Systems”) an advanced piece-picking robotics company for consideration of approximately US$262 million (subject to closing adjustments); and · Haddington Dynamics Inc. (“Haddington Dynamics”) a robotic-arm designer and manufacturer for consideration of approximately US$25 million (subject to closing adjustments). Tim Steiner, CEO of Ocado, commented: “We consider the opportunities for robotic manipulation solutions to be significant, both for Ocado Smart Platform clients and across the fast-growing online retail and logistics sectors. Ocado has made meaningful progress in developing the machine learning, computer vision, and engineering systems required for the robotic picking solutions that are currently in production at our Customer Fulfilment Centre (“CFC”) in Erith. Given the market opportunity, we want to accelerate the development of our systems, including improving their speed, accuracy, product range, and economics. I am delighted to be welcoming Kindred Systems and Haddington Dynamics to the Ocado group, as we believe they have the capabilities to allow us to accelerate delivery, innovate more, and grow faster. I am also excited by the opportunity to enter new markets for robotic solutions outside of grocery that is demonstrated by Kindred Systems’ robust growth, with existing customers such as Gap and American Eagle across the general merchandise and logistics sectors.“ Marin Tchakarov, CEO of Kindred Systems, commented: “I am proud to see Kindred Systems and our brilliant team recognized by Ocado as a leader in robotic pick and place manipulation, and we are extremely excited to realize our next chapter as part of them. We have achieved very strong growth with our retail e-commerce fulfillment customers over the last 3 years, and the unique challenges presented in grocery fulfillment will bring an even richer learning environment, further expanding on both our technology and market solutions set. Benefitting from Ocado’s excellence in research, technology, product development, and partnering will give Kindred Systems the opportunity to continue to grow and stay at the forefront of AI and machine learning automation and workforce collaboration.” Todd Enerson, President of Haddington Dynamics, commented: “Our unique approach to highly dextrous robotic arms will provide meaningful benefits to delivering robotic manipulation in complex use cases like grocery. We look forward to joining the team.” The Kindred Systems and Haddington Dynamics businesses Kindred Systems is a robotic solutions company based in San Francisco and Toronto that designs, supplies, and services sophisticated piece-picking robots for e-commerce and order fulfillment. Founded in 2014, Kindred Systems was one of the first companies to successfully use deep reinforcement learning (a form of artificial intelligence that improves the learning process of handling disparate items like those in grocery) to develop piece-picking robots with AI-powered vision and motion control. Once a robot is installed, Kindred Systems provides teleoperation remote assistance and engineering services to ensure that the robot continues to operate at a high pick rate with limited downtime. Kindred Systems has around 90 employees, approximately half of whom are engineers who will join Ocado’s existing technology team, with the remainder of employees continuing to drive Kindred Systems’ growth. Kindred Systems is expected to have approximately 180 robots installed and operating by the end of 2020 across its growing client base, and is expected to generate revenues of over US$35 million in the calendar year 2021, the vast majority of which are recurring. Haddington Dynamics is an advanced research and development company based in Las Vegas that specializes in the design and manufacture of low-cost, lightweight, highly dexterous, robotic arms. Haddington Dynamics’ arm design and technology allow for the arm to be manufactured at a relatively low cost via 3D printing, with a corresponding positive impact on the financial returns of robot deployment. Current clients include NASA and DuPont. Strategic rationale When combined with Ocado’s existing expertise and technologies in robotic manipulation, Kindred Systems and Haddington Dynamics are expected to accelerate the commercialization of robotic picking and other automation tasks for OSP clients. The solution for grocery picking will fit seamlessly into our current CFC and Micro Fulfilment Centre (“MFC”) footprints and will be fully-integrated into OSP. Given the significant costs associated with the decanting and picking functions within CFCs – up to £7 million of annual cost per CFC[1] – automation solutions have attractive economic potential for both Ocado and our partners. Further uses within CFCs (such as de-palletizing and de-trashing) and in other applications (such as food handling and vertical farming) may also be possible over the medium term. Kindred Systems’ existing customers are focused on robotic picking within the general merchandise and logistics sectors, and represent a large and fast-growing new segment for Ocado Solutions. Ocado will support Kindred Systems’ existing sales and product development capabilities in order to expand its customer base and robot deployment within both the USA and globally as part of the structural shift towards e-commerce. The expected financial impact for Ocado The transaction will have no financial impact in the current financial year. Ocado expects full-year 2021 revenues to increase as a result of the two acquisitions by approximately £30 million with a small negative impact on EBITDA. Additional information on the Kindred Systems and Haddington Dynamics acquisitions The acquisition of Kindred Systems constitutes a Class 2 transaction for Ocado under the UK Financial Conduct Authority’s Listing Rules. Ocado has entered into definitive transaction documents in connection with the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Kindred Systems, which will be effected pursuant to a plan of arrangement under the laws of British Columbia, Canada. The completion of the acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions including US regulatory approvals and employee retention and is expected to close during the calendar year 2020. The acquisition consideration of approximately US$262 million (subject to closing adjustments) for Kindred Systems is being financed using Ocado’s existing cash reserves. Approximately US$4 million will be retained by Ocado as deferred cash consideration and will be paid out to certain employee shareholders of Kindred Systems in equal tranches on the first, second and third anniversaries of closing, with payment of the deferred