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It’s been a pretty solid week for Plus One Robotics. On Wednesday, the San Antonio-based startup announced a partnership to integrate its PickOne perception system into FANUC’s robotic arms for a new e-commerce fulfillment system. And today Plus One Robotics named Crystal Parrott VP of engineering.

Parrott will be in charge of engineering and spearhead product development of automation solutions for e-commerce fulfilment and distribution centers. Prior to joining Plus One, she served as VP of the Robotics Center of Excellence at Dematic, where she led all robotic initiatives for the logistic market.

Crystal Parrott, VP of engineering, Plus One Robotics.

“The continued high volume in e-commerce is changing the way companies need to deliver their product to customers,” said Plus One Robotics CEO and co-founder Erik Nieves. “Supply chain operators worldwide are challenged to maintain efficiencies while grappling with a critical labor shortage, a problem further exacerbated by COVID-19. These facilities are looking to technology and warehouse automation to fill the gap. Crystal is one of the brightest minds in the business, and Plus One’s clients will benefit immensely from her engineering leadership and market acumen.”

Parrott currently serves as the Chair for The Robotics Group within MHI and is active in the Robotics Industries Association. Prior to Dematic, she spent 11 years leading the development of advanced robotics technology at Southwest Research Institute.

“Businesses accelerating their automation plans can reap great efficiencies using advanced computer vision solutions to combat the challenges of the modern warehouse. With the variability of packaging types and endless new SKUs, the time is now for e-commerce and logistics companies to unlock the value that robotics can bring,” said Parrott. She continued, “Technology is at the point where innovation in the warehouse can deliver real impact in a number of vertical markets, and I’m happy to join the team at a time of fast growth.”

Earlier in 2020, Plus One Robotics deployed four systems in the small-package sorting area of FedEx’s Memphis Hub. FedEx and Plus One Robotics have both said there are plans to expand the number of systems in the near future. Nieves recently joined The Robot Report Podcast to discuss the FedEx project, as well as the challenges of developing the company’s vision system, its human-in-the-loop approach, and why robotics-as-a-service might not be the correct sales approach for logistics customers. You can listen to the podcast below.