Summary of Innovation
At Onward Robotics, we're lighting and leading the way to fast, reliable, and accurate order fulfillment: so businesses can not only remain competitive, but grow. Launched in 2023, our person-to-goods automation solution combines proprietary software with mobile robots to dramatically increase operational efficiency, reduce errors, and minimize unproductive work in warehousing, distribution, and fulfillment centers. Onward Robotics’ Meet Me™ solution maximizes productivity in order fulfillment processes by orchestrating picker and robot workflows independently, so they can work better together. Innovative Pyxis™ technology integrates with a facility’s WMS platform to prioritize orders, direct and assign tasks to people and robots, and communicate directly with workers via a mobile application. Pickers are empowered via wearable device with the information they need to perform: always knowing where they need to go and what to pick when they get there. High capacity Lumabot™ AMRs feature patent-pending put-to-light shelving that visually engages the picker and indicates the proper tote, shelf, and associated quantity for each line item–reducing errors and increasing pick efficiency. Powered by Pyxis, Lumabots meet the assigned worker at the next best pick location to ensure efficient end-to-end workflow.
Innovation Statement
Until now, person-to-goods autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solutions have followed two models: “find me,” in which pickers spend non-value-added time searching for a blinking robot to find work, and the “follow me” model, in which a picker is assigned to follow behind a robot and their picking speed is limited by the speed of that robot.
Onward Robotics’ revolutionary Meet Me model redefines how humans and robots work together: powerful and proprietary Pyxis technology orchestrates pickers and robots separately in their own directed workflows–instructing Lumabot AMRs to “meet” their human worker at the best pick along the best path–for optimal resource allocation and a dramatic boost in productivity. Directed by the Pyxis Point mobile app, workers don’t need to rely on robots for directions or pick information, eliminating downtime spent waiting on or finding a robot, and enabling accurate and seamless order fulfillment.
Applicability
As consumer expectations continue to rise, every company is feeling the pressure to shorten the order fulfillment cycle and do more with less. Onward Robotics’ innovative Meet Me solution reimagines how robots and humans work together: using technology to kickstart continuous and fast fulfillment while providing the boost in productivity, flexibility, and speed you need to exceed customer expectations, hit your SLAs, and continue to grow.
| Posted Date | 1/22/24 |
| Contact | Lindsay Hickey, Sr. Director of Marketing |
| Contact Email | lindsay.hickey[at]onwardrobotics.com |
| Category | Best New Innovation |