Rapyuta Robotics Completes Demonstration Experiment of Collaborative Picking Solution for Warehouse at Nippon Express' Domestic Logistics Base

Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd. announced that it has completed a demonstration experiment using a collaborative picking solution (AMR) for warehouses at Nippon Express’ domestic distribution base in collaboration with Nippon Express Co., Ltd.

This is a distribution center actually operated by Nippon Express, and since October 2018, Rapyuta Robotics and Nippon Express have jointly researched with the aim of improving the efficiency and productivity of picking work and reducing the burden on workers. Is what started.

It was confirmed that the work time will be shortened by this demonstration experiment, and in the future, further demonstration experiments will be conducted by September, aiming to introduce it to the existing warehouse of Nippon Express.

Below is a quote from the press release

Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Gajan Mohanarajah, hereinafter “Rapyuta Robotics”) is a warehouse together with Nippon Express Co., Ltd. (Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Saito, hereinafter “Nippon Express”). We have completed a demonstration experiment using a collaborative picking solution (AMR) for Nippon Express at Nippon Express’ domestic distribution base.

【background】
Due to chronic labor shortages and wage increases due to the declining birthrate and aging population, which have become concerns in recent years, labor shortages are becoming more serious in the logistics industry every day. It is also an urgent issue for logistics companies. Under these circumstances, Rapyuta Robotics and Nippon Express jointly conducted a demonstration experiment to introduce a highly flexible and versatile collaborative picking solution for warehouses.

[Outline of this joint demonstration experiment]
This initiative is a distribution center actually operated by Nippon Express, and has been jointly operated by Rapyuta Robotics and Nippon Express since October 2018 with the aim of improving the efficiency and productivity of picking work and reducing the burden on workers. We have started research and have been verifying the introduction of robots to date. In this demonstration experiment, we used a Rapyuta Robotics robot that can move in the picking area in the warehouse without interfering with people or objects, and used the same shipping order, and used the robot together with the case where only personnel worked. In that case, the number of steps, the distance traveled, the total work time until the end of picking, etc. were measured and compared.

[Results and future]
Through this demonstration experiment, it was confirmed that humans and robots can collaborate safely and that the use of robots shortens work time. In the future, we will conduct further demonstration experiments by September, evaluate and verify it, and aim to introduce it to Nippon Express’ existing warehouse by the end of FY2019.

[Characteristics of robot]
Can be installed in an existing warehouse without changing the layout or material handling
With automatic driving, it is possible to install multiple units at the same time, and it is possible to flexibly respond to changes in the amount of work.
Workers do not need to carry picked luggage or push carts
Workers do not need to have a picking list because the picking instructions are displayed on the robot monitor.

Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd. is a university-launched venture spun off from the ETH Zürich, which has produced a number of prominent researchers including Einstein. With the vision of “making robots convenient and familiar,” we are developing the next-generation cloud robotics platform “rapyuta.io” that utilizes the world’s most advanced control technology and artificial intelligence technology. By utilizing rapyuta.io, central management and central control of a wide variety of multiple robots can be performed intuitively and easily. In addition, rapyuta.io eliminates the need to build system components from scratch, allowing users to focus on the development of their specialty.
Headquartered in Japan, we mainly provide automation solutions using robots to major business companies.

For inquiries regarding this release:
Rapyuta Robotics Co., Ltd.
info@rapyuta-robotics.com