Collaborative robot automates small-item picking at Swisslog

Swisslog worked closely with parent company KUKA to develop the AIP solution, working jointly on the gripper attachment and vision technology for the solution so that the AIP’s gripper unit can spot, pick and handle a variety of items, explained Markus Schmidt, president of Swisslog Warehouse & Distribution Solutions (WDS) Americas. KUKA makes the lightweight collaborative robotic arm for the AIP solution. “The more items a gripper can cope with, the better when it comes to e-commerce, because there is such a wide variety of items to deal with,” said Schmidt.

The AIP robot can work safely side-by-side with humans, because it can sense when it comes in contact with a human, and immediately stop moving. For maximum efficiency, an AIP workstation can be paired with Swisslog’s goods-to-person solutions to move goods into place for picking.

Also being demonstrated at the booth is Swisslog’s virtual reality (VR)-based solution that lets people see a detailed, 3D view of what their automated materials handling systems will look like and how they will perform under specific order profiles. The demo makes use of HTC VR glasses, but the software enabling it is part of Swisslog’s SynQ software platform.