Deutsche Post unit DHL Supply Chain North America is investing $300 million to increase the level of automation and robotics at 350 of its 430 facilities, to better handle the crush of ecommerce orders. DHL also plans to open a 24,000-square-foot innovation center near Chicago in September 2019.
Amazon is reportedly experimenting with robotic arms that can visually identify items on a conveyor, pick them up using a compressed air vacuum gripper and place them on a table or shelf. At the same time the company says publicly the state of the art isn’t there yet to handle the wide variety of products it stores and sells.
After various acquisition offers didn’t work out, club-based grocery and CPG ecommerce startup Boxed has secured a $110 million funding round, validating the company’s technology and market position as the e-grocery space continues to heat up.
Despite its many advantages, WMS software is not in use at nearly 35% of distribution and fulfillment center operations, according to a survey by the Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC). See what other technology preferences and investment plans were cited by operations professionals.
Today’s robotic applications are all based on existing applications and technology, not uncharted research, and each generation of technology gets cheaper. Here are five important considerations when looking at an investment in warehouse robotics.
The editors of Multichannel Merchant are excited to announce the launch of our new monthly podcast series, MCM CommerceChat! In the first installment, Chris Elliott, managing consultant with Blue Horseshoe and a noted supply chain automation expert, talks about trends in fulfillment robotics and where the technology is headed.
Cincinnati-based grocery chain Kroger has reportedly expressed interest in acquiring online bulk order retail startup Boxed.com, with other major players including Costco, Target and German grocery chain Aldi in the mix as well.
Taking a DIY approach to warehouse robotics, Boxed.com has developed its own autonomous ground vehicle (AGV) to help associates with picking, gaining operational efficiency.
While automation is speeding up and optimizing so many aspects of the retail supply chain, companies should look for process changes before making major technology investments, attendees were told at last week’s Parcel Forum in Nashville.
Joining an ever-more-crowded group of robotics providers for ecommerce fulfillment, two former executives of Kiva Systems have built what they believe is a better mousetrap, via 6 River Systems and its Chuck autonomous robot. See what its capabilities are, and how a 6 River co-founder views the future of robotic fulfillment.