ABB introduces two new AI-driven modules to improve item picking and sorting processes in logistics, addressing workforce shortages and increasing demand in e-commerce.
ABB, a leader in robotic solutions, is enhancing its offerings within the logistics and e-commerce sectors by introducing two new artificial intelligence-powered functional modules in its Item Picking range. This announcement comes as an acknowledgement of the growing demand for speed and accuracy in supply chain operations, particularly driven by an anticipated annual parcel volume increase of up to nine percent as e-commerce continues to expand.
The two new modules, the Robotic Fashion Inductor and the Robotic Parcel Inductor, utilize ABB’s proprietary AI-based vision technology, which has been validated by prominent fashion retail and logistics companies. These innovations are designed to optimize two crucial processes in logistics: item picking and sorter induction.
Craig McDonnell, managing director of business line industries for ABB Robotics, highlighted the urgency for automation in the sector, noting, “At the same time, companies are finding it harder to recruit people to perform these repetitive and non-ergonomic tasks, with 37 percent of global supply chain and logistics businesses experiencing significant workforce shortages.” He further stated that this expansion in ABB’s AI-enabled item picking family helps companies enhance throughput and productivity while mitigating errors through comprehensive automation.
The Robotic Fashion Inductor focuses on singulation and sorter induction for polybagged apparel and accessories, achieving processing speeds of up to 1,300 picks per hour. Meanwhile, the Robotic Parcel Inductor is designed for small parcel processing, handling various items such as boxes, bags, and envelopes at speeds of up to 1,500 picks per hour in postal and parcel logistics facilities.
Both functional modules deliver an industry-leading picking accuracy of over 99.5 percent, even in environments marked by fluctuating item sizes, shapes, and packaging types. ABB’s AI technology can adapt to recognize and reject certain items that are unsuitable for induction, streamlining operations further and making them more efficient.
In addition to their capabilities in order fulfillment, the modules offer significant advantages when processing returned items, which can be unpredictable in terms of timing, type, or condition. The integration with ABB’s motion planning software facilitates automatic, collision-free path planning, enhancing efficiency once items have been identified.
The modules are designed for rapid deployment, with a pre-integrated setup that allows for commissioning in as little as one week, thereby reducing potential operational errors and complexity. ABB’s Application Controller Platform (ACP) enables seamless integration of various components—robots, grippers, and cameras—through a unified interface, thus enhancing user experience.
By addressing core challenges related to item detection, grasping, and motion control using pre-trained AI models and robust robotic performance, the new functional modules are expected to reduce operational time and costs significantly, while alleviating research and development risks for system integrators working on automated picking solutions.
ABB offers comprehensive support as a single-source supplier, covering dedicated application software, robotic hardware, and global after-sales service. This comprehensive approach aims to facilitate the specification, setup, and operation of logistics automation solutions, minimizing the complications associated with multi-supplier integration.
Source: Noah Wire Services
