Autonomous picking robot streamlines logistics operations

The Swift, a fully autonomous mobile picking robot from IAM Robotics, is designed for supply chain and warehouse logistics operations. The robot is a key part of a complete order fulfillment solution, which includes IAM Flash, a 3D item scanner, and SwiftLink fleet management software.
“Properly executed robotic picking is a game changing technology for supply chain and warehouse managers. Our Swift piece-picking robot combines perception, manipulation and mobility to deliver a scalable solution and address a critical unmet need for lean warehouse automation,” said IAM Robotics CEO Tom Galluzzo.

Swift easily integrates into warehouse operations without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. Navigating multiple aisles and picking at or above human-level speeds, Swift enables users to cost-effectively streamline operations and handle the increasing pressures of e-commerce.
The robot can navigate by itself, detect and avoid obstacles, stop safely, and maneuver a warehouse with agility. It can work safely in conjunction with human pickers, can travel at up a jogging speed, turn on a dime, and pivot in place to fit between aisles.

It uses the company’s RapidVision technology to see and locate objects in 3D in real time. This is done via depth sensors and computing to gather 3D geometric information. This data is then matched to data collected with the Flash scanner.

The easily transportable Flash scans products to create a uniform item database, while also teaching Swift how to recognize the products it retrieves. It collects data on SKUs including weight, cube, high resolution 2D images, and 3D geometry models, then stores this information in a database, allowing Swift to recognize and pick the correct item.

SwiftLink provides a simple single point interface to connect, monitor, and coordinate a set of Swift robots with various Warehouse Management Systems (WMSs).

Equipped with one of the fastest industrial arms on the market, Swift can reach from top to bottom shelf, left and right side of the aisle, with 360° rotation capability. The flexible arm can retrieve anything up to 18 in. deep in shelving.

Swift’s carriage is able to carry totes around the warehouse to minimize travel time. The carriage raises and lowers to enable the arm to reach as high as 85 in. and low as 3 in. and also adjusts to the correct height to interface with a conveyer system. Totes on the carriage can be as heavy as 50 lb.

“Autonomous picking is a transformative, enabling technology that will help managers scale warehouse operations while reducing costs and inconsistent operations,” added Galluzzo.

See IAM Robotics in Booth 612 at RoboBusiness.

IAM Robotics
iamrobotics.com