In a move set to revolutionize the logistics industry, Anyware Robotics has announced an ingenious add-on for its flagship Pixmo robot, designed to streamline truck and container unloading operations. The patent-pending accessory features a vertical lift with a conveyor belt that attaches to Pixmo, bridging the gap between the robot and the boxes to be unloaded.

The need for such a solution is underscored by the staggering statistic that an estimated 28 million containers enter the United States annually, each carrying boxes that require unloading. Anyware Robotics, based in Fremont, California, has positioned its robots as the answer to this challenge, offering an autonomous, safe, cost-effective, reliable, and expeditious alternative to human labor.

The integrated Pixmo software effortlessly processes the varying heights of boxes within a container and orchestrates the conveyor of the add-on to move vertically, synchronizing with the robot arm as it unloads the boxes. This ingenious design enhancement aims to boost the robot's unloading efficiency, weight capability, and overall reliability, all while incurring only a marginal additional cost.

Eliminating the need for the robot to "rotate and place" boxes onto a conveyor, the add-on allows Pixmo to simply "pull" boxes onto the conveyor, minimizing the distance the robot arm must travel for each box. This innovative approach doubles Pixmo's throughput to an impressive 1,000 boxes per hour, while the conveyor's support increases the solution's weight capacity to a robust 65 pounds (30 kilograms).

"We are excited to showcase our Pixmo robotic solution and the innovative patent-pending add-on for unloading at MODEX," stated Thomas Tang, co-founder and CEO of Anyware Robotics. "The versatile Pixmo can easily connect to, power, and enable add-ons for different applications. This is all part of our plan to help it deliver increasing capabilities for different warehouse applications in the future."

Anyware Robotics emerged from stealth mode last month, unveiling Pixmo as a cutting-edge solution for unloading operations at transload facilities, cross docks, third-party logistics providers (3PLs), distribution centers, and e-commerce fulfillment warehouses. The company asserts that its robots can be installed within days, enhancing operational efficiencies and predictability.

Pixmo combines an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) base, a FANUC collaborative robot arm with six degrees of freedom, and a vacuum-powered end effector tailored for case handling. Notably, Pixmo does not require costly software integrations or infrastructure changes to be deployed in warehouse environments, a key advantage touted by Anyware Robotics.

With a mobile base footprint akin to a warehouse pallet, Pixmo can maneuver in any direction, creating optimal handling poses for its cobot arm, both inside and outside containers. Built on a software stack that harnesses the latest perception algorithms, learning-based motion planning, and a state-of-the-art data generation pipeline for AI training, Pixmo exemplifies the cutting edge of robotics technology.

While Anyware Robotics is currently focused on meeting the demand for truck unloading, the company recognizes the potential for Pixmo's flexible design and over-the-air software updates to enable its deployment in other warehouse tasks, such as palletizing, depalletizing, case picking, and container loading. This versatility could further accelerate the robots' return on investment (ROI).

Visitors to MODEX 2024, the premier supply chain expo, will have the opportunity to witness Pixmo and a prototype of the new add-on in action at Booth A11227. This public demonstration marks a significant milestone for Anyware Robotics and the logistics industry as a whole.

The commercial version of Pixmo is scheduled for release in the summer of 2024, with the add-on following in the third quarter. Customers will have the option to purchase the robots directly or through a robots-as-a-service (RaaS) model, allowing for scalable deployments as their business grows.

Companies interested in participating in the Pixmo pilot program or meeting with Anyware Robotics executives at MODEX can reach out to the company via its website.

As the logistics industry grapples with the ever-increasing demands of global trade, solutions like Anyware Robotics' Pixmo and its innovative add-on offer a glimpse into a future where automation and cutting-edge technology seamlessly enhance efficiency, productivity, and profitability.