What Is Mobile Robotics?
A mobile robot is a robot that can traverse its surroundings independently. Mobile robotics leverages cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as more traditional software and sensors to help robots identify, move around in, and interact with a variety of complex environments.
Although mobile robotics are already transforming a number of industries ranging from healthcare to land management, their potential is especially compelling for supply chain automation. Mobile robotics technology has seen rapid growth in the past decade, allowing robots to become almost entirely autonomous in warehouse settings. By operating independently, robots can cut down on required oversight from humans while making intelligent decisions via AI algorithms.
How Mobile Robotics Can Help Optimize Operations
There are two basic applications for mobile robotics in distribution operations. The first is autonomous transport. This consists of mobile robots that are independent, autonomous vehicles that move things around facilities without the help of a human driver. Typical scenarios include transporting stacks of pallets from receiving to shipping, moving pallets of inventory from receiving to storage, and augmenting order picking by moving orders from storage and picking areas to shipping areas while the person who picks orders remains in the storage areas picking more orders into additional mobile robots.
Basically, this use case is about eliminating non-value-added walking or driving around within a facility. The second most common application is to use a fleet of mobile robots working together within a captive floor where people are not allowed to sort products and/or move inventory from storage to pick stations operated by people or possibly robots (see BG RPC and BG RPP). Fleet-based mobile robotic systems typically do more than just transport things from one place to another.
The Berkshire Grey Solution
Berkshire Grey has led the way in mobile robotics technology, pioneering a variety of automation solutions capable of deploying into existing logistics operations. Berkshire Grey’s mobile robotic solutions utilize cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to intelligently adapt to any environment and continuously improve performance without operator intervention. Berkshire Grey’s mobile robotic solutions are fleet-based approaches to flexible sortation and fulfillment operations.
Adapt to any warehouse footprint
By utilizing a mobile approach to robotics, the need for bolted-down infrastructure is greatly reduced. No matter what the physical footprint of your warehouse is, mobile warehouse robots can be adapted to fit your needs and demands.
Vastly improved throughput
Traditional sortation systems are large, expensive, and inflexible. Berkshire Grey Mobile Robotic Platform (BG FLEX™️) systems enable dynamic any-to-any induct to discharge sortation to deliver faster fulfillment that requires less labor. BG FLEX also offers greater SKU coverage than traditional sorting methods through gentle, vertical pickup and placement. While other mobile robotic systems may struggle with heavy items, shrink-wrapped packages, or glass items, BG FLEX can handle these with ease.
Orchestrated operation at your fingertips
Berkshire Grey mobile robotics technology is powered by AI-enabled software that allows the remote handling and management of thousands of robots under one roof. By intelligently coordinating your fleet of robots, Berkshire Grey’s management software ensures that goods flow efficiently through all stages of fulfillment operations.
Mobile Robotics with Berkshire Grey
Overcome labor challenges
Material handling mobile robots can quickly and efficiently handle common tasks to help ease the challenge of labor shortages. Picking orders, assembling packages for eCommerce delivery, and more are all possible with the power of mobile robotics.
Cost-efficient scaling and performance
Traditional fulfillment warehouses can require costly renovations like adding more conveyors to scale capacity. With Berkshire Grey’s enterprise-grade mobile robots, additional robots can be seamlessly integrated into existing operations at a moment’s notice, reducing operational costs and deployment times no matter what scale your business operates on.
Seamless deployment and operation
Enterprise-level solutions meet consumer-level ease of use. Berkshire Grey’s robots-as-a-service (RaaS) deployment model allows businesses to invest in supply chain automation without a prohibitively upfront capital requirement. Beyond the finances, any warehouse manager can manage Berkshire Grey’s intuitive software without months of training.
Why Clients Love Berkshire Grey
A partner that scales with your business needs
We accelerate business growth by helping you automate time-consuming and expensive fulfillment operations through AI-enabled robotics. By offering clients modular and customizable solutions that can integrate with outside technologies, Berkshire Grey can meet your needs today—and tomorrow.
Robust, real-world performance
At Berkshire Grey, we understand that real-world supply chains are complex and unpredictable. That’s why our robotic automation solutions are designed and built to be robust, adaptable, and easily serviced. Our team of supply chain experts has decades of experience managing supply chains across industries such as retail, 3PL, grocery, and eCommerce.
Innovative technology today
Transform your fulfillment operations with next-generation automation technology powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. When you work with Berkshire Grey, you gain access to industry-leading supply chain automation solutions that are not accessible anywhere else.
Get Started
with Berkshire Grey
Contact the BG Fulfillment Automation Sales Engineering Team to Learn How to:
- Reduce operations expense by up to 70%.
- Lessen your dependency on labor.
- Bolster facility throughput by up to 25% to 50% with automation.
- Get a customized ROI analysis of your specific environment and business.
Call +1 (833) 848-9900 or connect using our form.
