Supply chains are poised for accelerated adoption of mobile robots and drones as those technologies mature and companies focus on implementing artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across their logistics operations.
That’s according to data from Gartner’s Hype Cycle for Mobile Robots and Drones, released this week. The report shows that several mobile robotics technologies will mature over the next two to five years, and also identifies breakthrough and rising technologies set to have an impact further out.
Gartner’s Hype Cycle is a graphical depiction of a common pattern that arises with each new technology or innovation through five phases of maturity and adoption. Chief supply chain officers can use the research to find robotic solutions that meet their needs, according to Gartner.
Gartner, Inc.
The mobile robotic technologies set to mature over the next two to five years are: collaborative in-aisle picking robots, light-cargo delivery robots, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for transport, mobile robotic goods-to-person systems, and robotic cube storage systems.
“As organizations look to further improve logistic operations, support automation and augment humans in various jobs, supply chain leaders have turned to mobile robots to support their strategy,” Dwight Klappich, VP analyst and Gartner fellow with the Gartner Supply Chain practice, said in a statement announcing the findings. “Mobile robots are continuing to evolve, becoming more powerful and practical, thus paving the way for continued technology innovation.”
Technologies that are on the rise include autonomous data collection and inspection technologies, which are expected to deliver benefits over the next five to 10 years. These include solutions like indoor-flying drones, which utilize AI-enabled vision or RFID to help with time-consuming inventory management, inspection, and surveillance tasks. The technology can also alleviate safety concerns that arise in warehouses, such as workers counting inventory in hard-to-reach places.
“Automating labor-intensive tasks can provide notable benefits,” Klappich said. “With AI capabilities increasingly embedded in mobile robots and drones, the potential to function unaided and adapt to environments will make it possible to support a growing number of use cases.”
Humanoid robots—which resemble the human body in shape—are among the technologies in the breakthrough stage, meaning that they are expected to have a transformational effect on supply chains, but their mainstream adoption could take 10 years or more.
“For supply chains with high-volume and predictable processes, humanoid robots have the potential to enhance or supplement the supply chain workforce,” Klappich also said. “However, while the pace of innovation is encouraging, the industry is years away from general-purpose humanoid robots being used in more complex retail and industrial environments.”
Agility Robotics, the small Oregon company that makes walking robots for warehouse applications, has taken on new funding from the powerhouse German automotive and industrial parts supplier Schaeffler AG, the firm said today.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Schaeffler has made “a minority investment” in Agility and signed an agreement to purchase its humanoid robots for use across the global Schaeffler plant network.
That newly combined entity will generate annual revenue of around $26 billion, employ a workforce of some 120,000, and serve its customers from more than 44 research & development (R&D centers and more than 100 production sites around the world. The new setup will include four business divisions: E-Mobility, Powertrain & Chassis, Vehicle Lifetime Solutions and Bearings & Industrial Solutions.
“In disruptive times, implementing innovative manufacturing solutions is crucial to be successful. Here, humanoids play an important role,” Andreas Schick, Chief Operating Officer of Schaeffler AG, said in a release. “We, at Schaeffler, will integrate this technology into our operations and see the potential to deploy a significant number of humanoids in our global network of 100 plants by 2030. We look forward to the collaboration with Agility Robotics which will accelerate our activities in this field.”
Agility makes the “Digit” product, which it calls a bipedal Mobile Manipulation Robot (MMR). Earlier this year, Agility also began deploying its humanoid robots through a multi-year agreement with contract logistics provider GXO.
The Boston-based enterprise software vendor Board has acquired the California company Prevedere, a provider of predictive planning technology, saying the move will integrate internal performance metrics with external economic intelligence.
According to Board, the combined technologies will integrate millions of external data points—ranging from macroeconomic indicators to AI-driven predictive models—to help companies build predictive models for critical planning needs, cutting costs by reducing inventory excess and optimizing logistics in response to global trade dynamics.
That is particularly valuable in today’s rapidly changing markets, where companies face evolving customer preferences and economic shifts, the company said. “Our customers spend significant time analyzing internal data but often lack visibility into how external factors might impact their planning,” Jeff Casale, CEO of Board, said in a release. “By integrating Prevedere, we eliminate those blind spots, equipping executives with a complete view of their operating environment. This empowers them to respond dynamically to market changes and make informed decisions that drive competitive advantage.”
Material handling automation provider Vecna Robotics today named Karl Iagnemma as its new CEO and announced $14.5 million in additional funding from existing investors, the Waltham, Massachusetts firm said.
The fresh funding is earmarked to accelerate technology and product enhancements to address the automation needs of operators in automotive, general manufacturing, and high-volume warehousing.
Iagnemma comes to the company after roles as an MIT researcher and inventor, and with leadership titles including co-founder and CEO of autonomous vehicle technology company nuTonomy. The tier 1 supplier Aptiv acquired Aptiv in 2017 for $450 million, and named Iagnemma as founding CEO of Motional, its $4 billion robotaxi joint venture with automaker Hyundai Motor Group.
“Automation in logistics today is similar to the current state of robotaxis, in that there is a massive market opportunity but little market penetration,” Iagnemma said in a release. “I join Vecna Robotics at an inflection point in the material handling market, where operators are poised to adopt automation at scale. Vecna is uniquely positioned to shape the market with state-of-the-art technology and products that are easy to purchase, deploy, and operate reliably across many different workflows.”
In a push to automate manufacturing processes, businesses around the world have turned to robots—the latest figures from the Germany-based International Federation of Robotics (IFR) indicate that there are now 4,281,585 robot units operating in factories worldwide, a 10% jump over the previous year. And the pace of robotic adoption isn’t slowing: Annual installations in 2023 exceeded half a million units for the third consecutive year, the IFR said in its “World Robotics 2024 Report.”
As for where those robotic adoptions took place, the IFR says 70% of all newly deployed robots in 2023 were installed in Asia (with China alone accounting for over half of all global installations), 17% in Europe, and 10% in the Americas. Here’s a look at the numbers for several countries profiled in the report (along with the percentage change from 2022).
Sean Webb’s background is in finance, not package engineering, but he sees that as a plus—particularly when it comes to explaining the financial benefits of automated packaging to clients. Webb is currently vice president of national accounts at Sparck Technologies, a company that manufactures automated solutions that produce right-sized packaging, where he is responsible for the sales and operational teams. Prior to joining Sparck, he worked in the financial sector for PEAK6, E*Trade, and ATD, including experience as an equity trader.
Webb holds a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State and an MBA in finance from Western Michigan University.
Q: How would you describe the current state of the packaging industry?
A: The packaging and e-commerce industries are rapidly evolving, driven by shifting consumer preferences, technological advancements, and a heightened focus on sustainability. The packaging sector is increasingly prioritizing eco-friendly materials to reduce waste, while integrating smart technologies and customizable solutions to enhance brand engagement.
The e-commerce industry continues to expand, fueled by the convenience of online shopping and accelerated by the pandemic. Advances in artificial intelligence and augmented reality are enhancing the online shopping experience, while consumer expectations for fast delivery and seamless transactions are reshaping logistics and operations.
In addition, with the growth in environmental and sustainability regulatory initiatives—like Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws and a New Jersey bill that would require retailers to use right-sized shipping boxes—right-sized packaging is playing a crucial role in reducing packaging waste and box volume.
Q: You came from the financial and equity markets. How has that been an advantage in your work as an executive at Sparck?
A: My background has allowed me to effectively communicate the incredible ROI [return on investment] and value that right-size automated packaging provides in a way that financial teams understand. Investment in this technology provides significant labor, transportation, and material savings that typically deliver a positive ROI in six to 18 months.
Q: What are the advantages to using automated right-sized packaging equipment?
A: By automating the packaging process to create right-sized boxes, facilities can boost productivity by streamlining operations and reducing manual handling. This leads to greater operational efficiency as automated systems handle tasks with precision and speed, minimizing downtime.
The use of right-sized packaging also results in substantial labor savings, as less labor is required for packaging tasks. In addition, these systems support scalability, allowing facilities to easily adapt to increased order volumes and evolving needs without compromising performance.
Q: How can automation help ease the labor problems associated with time-consuming pack-out operations?
A: Not only has the cost of labor increased dramatically, but finding a consistent labor force to keep up with the constant fluctuations around peak seasons is very challenging. Typically, one manual laborer can pack at a rate of 20 to 35 packages per hour. Our CVP automated packaging solution can pack up to 1,100 orders per hour utilizing a fully integrated system. This system not only creates a right-sized box, but also accurately weighs it, captures its dimensions, and adds the necessary carrier information.
Q: Beyond material savings, are there other advantages for transportation and warehouse functions in using right-sized packaging?
A: Yes. By creating smaller boxes, right-sizing enables more parcels to fit on a truck, leading to significant shipping and transportation savings. This also results in reduced CO2 emissions, as fewer truckloads are required. In addition, parcels with right-sized packaging are less prone to damage, and automation helps minimize errors.
In a warehouse setting, smaller packages are easier to convey and sort. Using a fully integrated system that combines multiple functions into a smaller footprint can also lead to operational space savings.
Q: Can you share any details on the typical ROI and the savings associated with packaging automation?
A: Three-dimensional right-sized packaging automation boosts productivity significantly, leading to increased overall revenue. Labor savings average 88%, and transportation savings accrue with each right-sized box. In addition, material savings from less wasteful use of corrugated packaging enhance the return on investment for companies. Together, these typically deliver returns in under 18 months, with some projects achieving ROI in as little as six months. These savings can total millions of dollars for businesses.
Q: How can facility managers convince corporate executives that automated packaging technology is a good investment for their operation?
A: We like to take a data-driven approach and utilize the actual data from the customer to understand the right fit. Using those results, we utilize our ROI tool to accurately project the savings, ROI, IRR (internal rate of return), and NPV (net present value) that facility managers can then use to [elicit] the support needed to make a good investment for their operation.
Q: Could you talk a little about the enhancements you’ve recently made to your automated solutions?
A: Sparck has introduced a number of enhancements to its packaging solutions, including fluting corrugate that supports packages of various weights and sizes, allowing the production of ultra-slim boxes with a minimum height of 28mm (1.1 inches). This innovation revolutionizes e-commerce packaging by enabling smaller parcels to fit through most European mailboxes, optimizing space in transit and increasing throughput rates for automated orders.
In addition, Sparck’s new real-time data monitoring tools provide detailed machine performance insights through various software solutions, allowing businesses to manage and optimize their packaging operations. These developments offer significant delivery performance improvements and cost savings globally.