Industry Briefing
A single destination for timely, editor-curated robotics news from around the world.
Automation to improve efficiency and fix labour shortages
As warehouses and distribution centres increasingly turn to automation to improve efficiency and address labour shortages, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are playing a growing role in material handling and intralogistics. Reflecting this trend, ABB Robotics has expanded its AMR portfolio with the launch of the Flexley® Stack F712, an autonomous forklift designed to support warehouse […] The post Automation to improve efficiency and fix labour shortages appeared first on Logistics Business.
AMR and AGV Materials Handling ABB AMR automation efficiency
Baggage bots: Chinese humanoid robots roll into Japan’s airports amid labour shortage
China-made humanoid robots are making significant inroads in Japan, as Japan Airlines has announced a two-year trial for their deployment in ground-handling operations at Tokyo’s Haneda Airport. This initiative, which began last week, is part of a collaboration with GMO AI & Robotics and aims to address the acute labor shortages currently faced by the airline industry in Japan. The trial will see robots from Chinese manufacturers Unitree and UBTech being utilized for tasks such as baggage and cargo handling, reflecting a broader trend of increasing reliance on robotics technology to enhance operational efficiency.
Labour shortages continue to drive demand for field robots
Manufacturers are anticipating continued growth in the global field robot market through 2026, even amid economic challenges facing the agricultural machinery sector. This optimism is largely driven by a persistent shortage of labor, which has heightened the demand for autonomous machines. Additionally, the push for sustainability and the need for more precise crop management are further propelling interest in these technologies. As farmers seek innovative solutions to address these pressing issues, the field robot market is poised to expand significantly in the coming years.
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Interview with Clearpath Robotics co-founder Ryan Gariepy: ‘Most industries in Canada are under-automated’
Canada is acknowledged for its significant contributions to robotics research, boasting prestigious universities, groundbreaking startups, and advanced technologies utilized in various sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, mining, and defense. However, despite this robust technical foundation, experts suggest that the country has struggled to effectively translate its research capabilities into widespread industrial applications. This gap raises concerns about the potential for Canada to fully leverage its innovations in the competitive global robotics landscape.
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Where’s your Labour Resource Management on the Warehouse Maturity Curve?
Rising labour costs and ongoing skills shortages are significantly impacting the logistics sector, placing immense pressure on warehouse management teams to optimize operations with limited resources. In response to these challenges, Aptean hosted a webinar aimed at addressing the critical aspect of resource management within warehouses. The session focused on evaluating operational maturity and highlighted the importance of effective resource management strategies. This initiative comes at a time when the logistics industry is grappling with the need to enhance efficiency amidst a tightening labour market.
IT in Logistics Jobs and Training TMS and Telematics Warehousing WMS & SCM Software ApteanRobotics needs a service framework.
RSF defines a common language for robot service capability, lifecycle operations, certification pathways, and service-provider networks.
