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PickoBot specializes in robotic grasping in challenging scenarios with changing items. | Source: Pickommerce
Pickommerce today announced that it has secured $3.4 million in funding. The Meitar, Israel-based company said the latest financing will help it to advance the development, production, and marketing of its PickoBot piece-picking robot.
Today’s logistics facilities are increasingly automated, with processes like crate collection and package unloading now predominantly handled by robots, noted Pickommerce.
However, the final “pick and pack” step largely relies on human pickers, even in the most advanced warehouses, according to the company. This presents a notable challenge, as there is a global shortage of tens of millions of workers in these roles.
To fill this void, piece-picking robots can increase efficiency by picking and placing inventory for a wide range of items, reducing labor needs for repetitive tasks while improving performance and decreasing errors.
“We appreciate the commitment from our investors, customers, and partners, and we are seeing significant market demand for Pickobot,” stated Kfir Nissim, co-founder and CEO of Pickommerce.
“We are pushing the boundaries of the industry by offering unmatched, robot-agnostic flexibility with the PickoBot’s diverse gripping abilities,” he added. “This is achieved through the seamless integration of advanced computer vision, a highly optimized packing algorithm, and AI-powered decision-making.”
The funding round was led by IL Ventures, a fund focused on disruptive technologies for legacy industries. It also included InNegev, Fusion VC, the Israel Innovation Authority, and strategic investor ZIM Ventures, the corporate venture arm of maritime shipping company ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.
PickoBot system the ‘missing link’
With PickoBot, Pickommerce claimed that it has delivered the missing link in achieving a fully autonomous warehouse workflow. The robot is fit for various industries, the company said. These include apparel, retail, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, agricultural, and spare parts.
PickoBot uses an advanced computer vision system powered by machine learning that enables the safe and intelligent packaging of objects of different sizes, weights, and textures. It features multiple gripping methods in a single station, including vacuum, finger-based, and patented adhesive-based end effectors.
In addition, Pickommerce equipped its robot with an AI-driven decision-making algorithm that selects the optimal gripper and grasp configuration for each item. The company asserted that its patent-protected technologies can increase the variety of products that robots can handle in logistics, as well as the level of autonomy those robots possess.
Pickommerce provides precision at Havivian Farms
Pickommerce cited its recent installation at Havivian Farm, one of the largest organic farms in Israel. The company said it showcased the adaptability and precision—or in this case, gentle touch—of its intelligent gripping technology.
The organic farming enterprise turned to Pickommerce to reduce operational costs by automating its high-volume fresh produce packing line. PickoBot can adapt to the complexities of picking and packing fresh produce at a rapid pace, said Pickommerce. It also noted that this capability is valuable for any supermarket that accepts online orders.
“At Havivian Farms, quality is at the core of everything we do,” said Boaz Havivian, owner of Havivian Farms. “From planting seeds in the soil to harvesting our crops, we are committed to ensuring our customers receive the freshest, highest-quality goods.”
“Pickommerce has been integral to this process,” he said. “Their Picobot enables us to efficiently handle and pack our produce for shipment, ensuring it reaches customers in perfect condition.”