Pitney Bowes to Deploy AmbiSort AI-Powered Robots in E-Commerce Network

Pitney Bowes Inc. today said it plans to deploy automated parcel-sorting systems from Ambi Robotics Inc. in its U.S. e-commerce hubs. The companies said the AmbiSort systems will help Pitney Bowes speed up parcel sortation for last-mile delivery providers on behalf of its e-commerce clients while improving operational efficiency, accuracy, and worker safety as parcel volumes continue to surge.

“As we continue to scale our global e-commerce business, Pitney Bowes is on an aggressive path to seek out the most innovative technology partners in the world to co-develop new solutions that will improve our service offerings and make ecommerce logistics easier for our clients,” stated Gregg Zegras, executive vice president and president of global e-commerce at Pitney Bowes.

“The AmbiSort AI-powered systems that Pitney Bowes has piloted over the past year and intends to deploy in our network of global e-commerce hubs over the next five years are part of a long-term plan to build the most technologically efficient, employee- and client-friendly e-commerce logistics network in the industry,” he said.

AmbiSort applies AI at Pitney Bowes

Pitney Bowes counts 90% of the Fortune 500 as clients that rely on its systems, analytics, and application programming interfaces (APIs) for e-commerce, office mailing and shipping, presort services, and financing. The Stamford, Conn.-based company recently completed a successful pilot of the AmbiSort system in its Bloomington, Calif., e-commerce hub.

Ambi Robotics said system has efficiently and accurately sorted hundreds of thousands of unique parcels, using artificial intelligence to get smarter and faster with each experience. Pitney Bowes said it plans to roll out AmbiSort to other network hubs so its clients can benefit from improved capacity, accuracy, and scalability.

“Global shippers are experiencing more demand than ever before and are turning to automated solutions that drastically reduce operating costs and increase associate productivity,” said Jim Liefer, CEO of Ambi Robotics. “We take pride in working with Pitney Bowes as they continue to transform their 100-year-young company into an industry-leading e-commerce logistics provider, and we are thrilled to support their booming demand with AmbiSort systems.”

Ambi Robotics offers upskilling opportunity

Founded in 2018, Ambi Robotics said it employs roboticists, artificial intelligence researchers, and business professionals who are building systems to help e-commerce operations meet demand while empowering humans to work smarter. The Emeryville, Calif.-based company's AmbiOS operating system uses the Dex-Net simulation-to-reality technology to operate highly dexterous robotic systems.

Ambi Robotics said this technology allows its robots to train exponentially faster than teaching algorithms in the physical world. AmbiSort robots can pick, place, and pack parcels twice as fast as manual processes, the company claimed. This significantly reduces operating costs and automates tasks that are widely regarded as among the most physically and mentally taxing in the logistics industry, often leading to high rates of employee turnover, said Ambi Robotics.

The company added that its systems represent an upskilling opportunity for Pitney Bowes associates who want to manage and operate advanced technologies.

“We’re excited about what this deployment means for the speed and efficiency of our business and the results we can deliver for our clients,” said Zegras. “We’re equally excited about what it means for our teams and our ability to attract and retain the talent we need to grow. Everything we can do to make our ecommerce hubs more innovative and our jobs more attractive gives Pitney Bowes an advantage in an increasingly competitive labor market.”