Mobile manipulation picks its way forward

​“Over 37,047 visitors connected with over 857 exhibitors across 405,000 sq. ft. of exhibit space,” said the Materials Handling Institute (MHI), which organizes MODEX. “This was the largest MODEX event to date for…

​If you were looking for drone deliveries, humanoid robots, or fully autonomous tractor-trailers, this was not the right show (see CES). MODEX mainly focused on the warehouse or distribution center. …

​Robotics 24/7 was inundated with press releases about corporate partnerships leading into MODEX 2022. Many of these reflect efforts to broaden product portfolios, gain access to adjacent markets, and deepen engineering teams. …

Mobile robot providers have released larger models over the past few years to address the need for moving pallets and manufacturing parts. At this year’s MODEX, robots got taller…

From mobile robots to taller lift trucks, several exhibitors positioned their products as alternatives to ASRS. For instance, Conveyco said its Go-Fer Bot offers greater flexibility at a lower price. …

​For density, automated storage systems are still hard to beat, with AutoStore and OPEX having two of the bigger demonstrations at this year’s MODEX. AutoStore recently introduced its BinLift 2.0…

​AMRs may not yet be commoditized, but there were plenty of options for MODEX attendees. Industrial automation company ABB showed its ASTI line, which it acquired last year. Zebra, which…

Mobile robots are all over the place, but there were relatively few piece-picking systems at MODEX, aside from palletizing robots that relied on suction rather than grippers. Collaborative robot leader…

​Software and AI are becoming as essential to supply chains as AMRs and WMS. RIOS noted that the robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) model can help warehouses get started with increasing productivity and…

​Last but not least, growing numbers of robots of all kinds in warehouses demand ways of managing them, regardless of manufacturer. “FedEx wants to use lots of robots, where we…