Robotic collaboration for fulfillment

Siemens, Universal Robots (UR), and Zivid have joined forces to create a solution that streamlines warehouse automation and solves the persistent challenges of intra-logistics fulfillment tasks.

The trio have been demonstrating this solution in recent trade shows and events.

“We are excited to collaborate with Universal Robots and Zivid to introduce a game-changing solution for intralogistics fulfillment,” said Ignacio Moreno, business development manager at Siemens.

“By harnessing the power of advanced vision technology and industry-leading collaborative robotics, the SIMATIC Robot Pick AI is able to bring effortless picking to any environment.”

The partnership represents a leap in solving the complex challenges faced by the logistics and e-commerce sectors. Modern fulfillment centres are characterized by the automated transport of large quantities and varieties of stock-keeping units (SKUs) and the new solution is specifically developed to offer the industry a reliable and trusted solution for the picking of these items, regardless of their shape, size, opacity, or transparency.

“There is a huge potential and significant demand for automation in fulfillment centres and the e-commerce industry. This solution provides our customers with the ease of use and integration one would expect from working with the top providers of vision, robotics, and detection software,” said Daniel Friedman, global director, strategic partnerships at Universal Robots.

“The collaboration with Siemens and Zivid signals our continued push into connecting our robot platform to AI technologies and is further testament to our dedication to delivering automation for anyone, anywhere.”

The solution comprises:

• Siemens’ SIMATIC Robot Pick AI, a pre-trained, deep learning-based vision software, empowering robots to perform tasks previously limited to manual intervention.
• Universal Robots’ UR20, with its extended reach and compact design, enabling automation of applications requiring the lifting of heavy objects over longer distances, while maintaining UR safety standards. The solution works across the entire UR cobot family.
• Zivid’s 2+ M130 camera is the first 3D sensor capable of imaging everything, including transparent and translucent items, expanding the accessibility and pick ability for e-commerce and fulfillment applications. 

“By combining our 3D vision solution with Siemens and UR, we offer a robust solution that addresses the evolving needs of the logistics and e-commerce sectors,” said Amy Landau, product marketing engineer at Zivid.

“Our collaboration opens new possibilities for the automation of reliable order picking, that can really be made accessible to anyone.”