California-based startup inVia Robotics that creates robots and softwares has introduced “goods-to-box” robots that can be integrated with warehouse management systems (WMS) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions.
The company is targeting the e-commerce players with large warehouses and hopes the new robotic solutions will simplify the supply chain management without disturbing the current system of operations.
GrabIt, the robot offered by inVia can lift up to 30 lbs (13.608 kgs) and up to 24 inches wide, ranging in size from a deck of cards to a 24-pack of soda. Moreover, it can also reach till eight feet. It can also work on a single charge for 10 hours.
The company states that robotic solutions usually can handle items that weigh from three to six lbs and have a limited reach to till the shelf space. But GrabIt, according to inVia can transfer the work to its partner robot TransIt, which can accumulate orders and zip them to an awaiting box to be shipped.
Robotics-as-a-Service
The company is offering the Robotics-as-a-Service solution through a monthly subscription model. The customers pay monthly charges for each robot. The demand can be scaled up or down to meet seasonal or fluctuating demand. If there is any fault in the robot or of it needs an upgrade, inVia Robotics calls it off to ensure downtime is minimized.
According to a company blogpost, the warehouse is the most crucial piece of the supply chain process, especially in the highly competitive and crowded e-commerce market. And robotics will be a core technology that will improve supply chain efficiencies in the future. In fact, a recent report revealed that the Global Warehouse Robotics market is projected to reach $10.34 billion by 2020 due to the surging rate of adoption and wave of innovation over the past several years. Implementing automated solutions into warehouse operations can push one retailer past their competition and solidify consumers’ trust in their brands.
Lior Elazary, CEO of inVia Robotics said, “E-commerce is booming, but retailers are struggling to keep up with consumer demand, due to rising price pressures, increasing expectations for faster delivery and a shortage of warehouse labor. For decades, the man-to-goods model reigned supreme, but now with robots in the warehouse, goods can autonomously navigate across warehouses to be sent to their final destinations quickly and cheaply. Robotics is the next evolution of automation and unlocking its benefits will enable more businesses to stay competitive, which will positively impact the industry and economy.”
inVia claims to dynamically change the workflow by enabling its customers with its Robotic Management System, which will give them a real-time experience by minimizing wait times and empowering them to come out of the traditional suite of business processes. It works alongside the company’s Robotics Operation Center, which notifies inVia Robotics of any issues that need to be addressed, to ensure that a robotic fleet is performing the right tasks and functioning properly at all times.