SAN DIEGO – Brain Corp has developed a robotic application that helps retailers bridge the automation gap in moving inventory from the stockroom out to store shelves.
Brain Corp's AI technology enables safe navigation in public environments, making it the first timed up and go (TUG) application of its kind capable of operating within high-traffic commercial locations, such as retail and grocery aisles, according to robotics analyst firm ABI Research.
"The supply chain ends at the customer, not the back warehouse," said John Black, senior vice president of new product development. "These new autonomous delivery robots help automate the movement of goods for that 'last 500 feet'—the distance between the stockroom and store shelves. This has huge ramifications for increasing employee productivity, improving customer satisfaction, and reducing potential exposure to workers' comp claims. We are excited to bring this new innovation to market with our manufacturing partners."
The robots eliminate the process of having employees haul heavy, stock-laden carts from the stockroom out to store shelves for stocking. Instead, employees can use the delivery robots to automate the safe transportation of up to 1,000 pounds of goods from one point to another with the push of a button.
The units do not require any custom infrastructure or specialized training, delivering "accessible automation" on the spot. Users can leverage a patented "teach and repeat" technology that simplifies deployment and can be adapted to changes in store layout.
Brain Corp is carrying out deployment of the Brain-OS powered robots in partnership with Dane Technologies and UniCarriers Americas Corporation.
"This is a true game changer for retailers and other businesses that want to easily automate an arduous and repetitive task," said Dan Johnson, founder and chief executive officer of Dane Technologies. "The value is off the charts for this application, which can also be used to transport trash and recyclables, as well as support online order fulfillment. We are thrilled to be working with Brain Corp, an AI technology leader that has more data and edge case experience in public retail spaces than any other company out there."