Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Podcasts

The Logistics Matters podcast: Jeff Burnstein of A3 on the state of the robotics market | Season 5 Episode 17

Robotics have impacted supply chains in ways few other technologies ever have. But while the use of robotics has seen steady growth in the industry, what is the near-term outlook? Plus: A rise in supply chain AI investments; Walmart squeezes more costs from its distribution operations.


For links and show notes, mouse over the player and click the i.


Subscribe to this podcast

Transcript to come

About this week's guest
Jeff Burnstein

Jeff Burnstein is the president of the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the world’s largest trade group for robotics and automation companies. A3 membership currently includes nearly 1,300 global organizations involved in robotics, artificial intelligence, vision, motion control, and related automation technologies.

Burnstein joined the association in 1983 and has held a variety of senior positions, culminating in his promotion to president in 2007. He is a frequent commentator in the media, often discusses automation issues with policy makers, and regularly speaks at global conferences on issues such as the impact of automation on jobs and the future of automation beyond the factory floor. Burnstein also serves on the executive board of the International Federation of Robotics (IFR). In 2023, Burnstein was honored with the Engelberger Award for Leadership.




Articles and resources mentioned in this episode:


Go to main Logistics Matters archives page

2024 archives
2023 archives
2022 archives
2021 archives
2020 archives

The Latest

More Stories

legal scales and gavel

FMCSA rule would require greater broker transparency

A move by federal regulators to reinforce requirements for broker transparency in freight transactions is stirring debate among transportation groups, after the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) published a “notice of proposed rulemaking” this week.

According to FMCSA, its draft rule would strive to make broker transparency more common, requiring greater sharing of the material information necessary for transportation industry parties to make informed business decisions and to support the efficient resolution of disputes.

Keep ReadingShow less

Featured

pickle robot unloading truck

Pickle Robot lands $50 million in VC for truck-unloading robots

The truck unloading automation provider Pickle Robot Co. today said it has raised $50 million in venture capital and will use the money to accelerate the development of new feature sets and build out the company’s commercial teams to unlock new markets and geographies.

The “series B” funding round was financed by an unnamed “strategic customer” as well as Teradyne Robotics Ventures, Toyota Ventures, Ranpak, Third Kind Venture Capital, One Madison Group, Hyperplane, Catapult Ventures, and others.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of trucking conditions

FTR: Trucking sector outlook is bright for a two-year horizon

The trucking freight market is still on course to rebound from a two-year recession despite stumbling in September, according to the latest assessment by transportation industry analysis group FTR.

Bloomington, Indiana-based FTR said its Trucking Conditions Index declined in September to -2.47 from -1.39 in August as weakness in the principal freight dynamics – freight rates, utilization, and volume – offset lower fuel costs and slightly less unfavorable financing costs.

Keep ReadingShow less
chart of robot use in factories by country

Global robot density in factories has doubled in 7 years

Global robot density in factories has doubled in seven years, according to the “World Robotics 2024 report,” presented by the International Federation of Robotics (IFR).

Specifically, the new global average robot density has reached a record 162 units per 10,000 employees in 2023, which is more than double the mark of 74 units measured seven years ago.

Keep ReadingShow less
person using AI at a laptop

Gartner: GenAI set to impact procurement processes

Progress in generative AI (GenAI) is poised to impact business procurement processes through advancements in three areas—agentic reasoning, multimodality, and AI agents—according to Gartner Inc.

Those functions will redefine how procurement operates and significantly impact the agendas of chief procurement officers (CPOs). And 72% of procurement leaders are already prioritizing the integration of GenAI into their strategies, thus highlighting the recognition of its potential to drive significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness, Gartner found in a survey conducted in July, 2024, with 258 global respondents.

Keep ReadingShow less