Companies developing robotic systems across different vertical markets continue to announce partnerships and collaboration agreements to expand the use of robotics systems to address a variety of problems. Here are a bunch of recent news announcements:
Northrop Grumman subsidiary Remotec is teaming up with Kinova to offer a remote secondary arm for its Andros mobile robot. Image: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman’s Remotec, Kinova team up
Remotec, a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman, has announced a distribution agreement with Kinova for the Kinova Remote Robotic Manipulation System. The agreement will allow Remotec customers to access a small manipulator for use as a tool and accessory on the Remotec’s Andros line of mobile robotic systems.
Remotec will sell the Kinova product as a remote option on the Andros platform, which is geared to the first responder and law enforcement markets in the U.S. “The improved dexterity afforded by this robotic arm was identified as a critical need by the first responder community, particularly for bomb and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD),” said Dan Verweil, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness at Northrop Grumman. “This is a great opportunity and we are looking forward to offering an additional and innovative capability to the Andros line of robots.”
When used as a secondary, highly dexterous small arm, the Kinova Remote Robotic Manipulation System will enable more precise video-guided manipulation of potentially hazardous materials, the company said. The system will allow officials, including state and local EOD units, to more safely and effectively perform delicate tasks, from unzipping a suspicious backpack to disabling a bomb.
“We are proud to partner with Remotec, the largest provider of robots to the first responder market,” said Francois Boucher, executive vice president at Kinova. “These are complementary products that are better when paired together as an integrated system for significantly increased capability.”
RightHand Robotics, Okamura integrate piece-picking
Japan’s Okamura Corp., which provides products and services for offices, education, commercial facilities and distribution centers, today announced partnering with RightHand Robotics to further automate warehouse operations. The autonomous piece-picking system from Righthand, RightPick2, will be integrated with Okamura’s logistics solutions, such as AutoStore, beginning later this month.
Image: RightHand Robotics
The companies said operator workloads and errors will decrease, and warehouse efficiency and productivity will improve with the integration of RightPick2. The Japanese company’s material handling systems “are designed to achieve safer, faster, easier and more precise operations. Its business is not only to streamline logistics, but also to research, develop and provide new material handling systems to meet the diverse needs of customers.”
The RightPick2 system combines an intelligent gripper, advanced computer vision, control software and machine learning to provide automation for customers. It can handle the core task of picking and placing individual items as part of a range of warehouse workflows and processes.
The combined solution between RightHand and Okamura will be exhibited at the upcoming Logis-Tech Tokyo 2020 Innovation Expo, on Feb. 19-21, in booth 1A-37.
GreyOrange, UST Global partner on warehouse automation
UST Global announced yesterday a partnership with GreyOrange to extend UST Global’s “AI-first agenda,” which leverages technology to offer digital solutions “that optimize cost, improve turnaround promises and offer an outstanding customer experience.” The companies said the retail and logistics industries will benefit from the joint offering, providing “best-in-class robotics deployment for material handling coupled with the deep ability of UST Global to implement and integrate complex technologies in a retailer’s IT landscape.”
The Ranger Picking robot can work in tandem with goods-to-person robots to either assist humans or pick orders autonomously. Image: GreyOrange
The GreyOrange Fulfillment Operating System incorporates the company’s GreyMatter intelligence software as a learning layer in its Ranger robot series. The robots communicate with each other and the GreyMatter central system to continuously recalculate order fulfillment priorities and inventory movement patterns, based on real-time factors such as order fulfillment commitments, factual fulfillment speeds, available resources, and time remaining in dispatch windows, the company said.
“Material handling efficiency inside the distribution center is a key issue faced by the supply chain teams, especially at retail companies,” said Subhodip Bandyopadhyay, general manager of emerging digital retail technology at UST Global. “GreyOrange offers a robust yet flexible solution, where we will see a rise in our positive customer experience leading to a 3X gain in productivity. This is applicable even for complex operations in e-commerce fulfillment centers, where they can adopt the GreyOrange Fulfillment Operating System.”
“Our partnership with UST Global allows us to strategically scale our business,” said Monty Waltz, head of global sales for GreyOrange. “They have extensive experience delivering technology-based solutions, and together we create a powerful offering that provides the best service and solutions to clients that need to improve order fulfillment throughput, scale, accuracy, and economics.”
