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The Pixmo mobile manipulator from Anyware Robotics uses a vacuum gripper and vision guidance to acquire boxes from the container. | Source: Anyware Robotics
Last week, Anyware Robotics announced it has successfully raised $12 million in seed funding. This investment will bolster the growth of Pixmo, their innovative mobile robot designed to automate the unloading processes for containers and trucks.
Pixmo is an advanced solution that integrates an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) base with a collaborative robot (cobot) arm. It is equipped with a suite of 3D perception sensors and is powered by AI technology to tackle the challenging task of unloading boxes efficiently.
In a noteworthy enhancement, Anyware Robotics revealed a newly developed conveyor add-on for Pixmo robots in March 2024, aimed at improving throughput during unloading operations. This enhancement allows Pixmo to utilize an “pull” method to handle boxes, which streamlines the unloading process, resulting in increased speed and efficiency compared to traditional pick-and-place methods.
“Many warehouse operations struggle with significant challenges related to worker safety, labor shortages, and overall efficiency,” stated Thomas Tang, CEO and co-founder of Anyware Robotics. “With our solution, we can reduce the labor costs associated with receiving by as much as 60%, while also safeguarding workers from potentially hazardous tasks in demanding environments characterized by extreme temperatures. We are thrilled to see Pixmo bringing meaningful improvements to our clients’ operations.”
This funding round is being led by GFT Ventures, with various other investors, including Foothill Ventures, Black Forest Ventures, and Alumni Ventures, contributing as well.
Anyware Robotics Introduces Its First Public Customer
Anyware Robotics has revealed its partnership with Western Post US, marking the company’s first publicly acknowledged customer. They will be utilizing Pixmo to automate the unloading of floor-loaded containers at their receiving dock.
“In 2025, we expect to manage over forty-five thousand containers. For years, we have been searching for solutions that maintain our efficiency commitments while creating a safe work environment for our team,” said Young Liu, CEO of Western Post US. “We are eager to implement Pixmo in our warehouses, allowing us to unload containers in a safe, efficient, and sustainable manner.”
Pixmo’s applications will extend beyond just unloading containers and trailers. Future software updates will empower this multi-functional robot to carry out a variety of tasks, including mobile palletization, mobile depalletization, case picking, and container loading. This versatility will allow companies to deploy the robotic workforce dynamically according to their operational needs, as claimed by Anyware Robotics.
“What has truly impressed us is Anyware’s ability to swiftly transition from an initial concept to a market-ready solution. The team’s deep insight into warehouse challenges, combined with their practical approach and proprietary AI capabilities, positions them to effectively address the labor issues and inefficiencies facing the industry,” remarked Jay Eum, Founding Managing Partner of GFT Ventures, who will also join the company’s Board of Directors.
Source
www.therobotreport.com