Brightpick last week said it has installed 37 Autopicker multi-purpose robots at Superior Communications, a North American distributor of mobile accessories, to automate a distribution center in LaVergne, Tenn.
The fleet of Autopicker robots will handle all aspects of the fulfillment process, from picking and buffering orders of screen protectors, phone cases, accessories, and telecommunication equipment to consolidating and dispatching shipments to retail stores.
“We’re excited to work with Superior Communications and provide them with an easy-to-install mobile robot solution that automates the entire fulfillment process end to end,” said Jan Zizka, co-founder and CEO of Brightpick. “Once the Autopickers are installed, Superior Communications will be able to lower costs, ship more orders, and improve customer service.”
Erlanger, Ky.-based Brightpick said its AI robots can automate order fulfillment, from picking and consolidation to dispatch and stock replenishment. It won Application of the Year in the 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards for Autopicker, which combines an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with machine vision, machine learning, and a robotic arm to pick directly to onboard totes.
Brightpick to scale Autopickers over time
Brighpick plans to roll out the robots in two phases to ensure optimal integration. Phase 1 will introduce 19 Autopickers into Superior’s operations this summer.
Following the successful integration and evaluation of the initial phase, the company will install an additional 18 Autopickers. Once the 37 Autopickers are in place, Superior Communications will be able to pick more than 4,000 items per hour and up to 88,000 picks per day, supported by two to three warehouse associates per shift.
“We are committed to delivering a faster and more reliable retail experience to our valued customers,” said Solomon Chen, CEO of Superior Communications. “Working with Brightpick was an easy choice since there will be no disruption to our business model, and we could purchase the solution via RaaS [robotics as a service]. The Autopickers will provide us with higher throughput and reduce our fulfillment costs.”
Autopicker is a multi-purpose mobile manipulator capable of automating a wide range of warehouse workflows, seamlessly moving between tasks and workstations. While it doesn’t resemble a human, it performs like one. Brightpick said it equipped each robot with “eyes” (3D vision and lidar), “legs” (a mobile base), “hands” (a robotic arm), and a “brain” (AI) to perform complex tasks with human-like precision.
In addition to fully autonomous order picking, Autopicker supports goods-to-person (G2P) picking for bulky or non-robotically pickable items; assisted pallet picking for fast-moving SKUs; order buffering and sortation; and stock replenishment. When paired with Brightpick’s new Giraffe robot, Autopicker can store and retrieve items from heights of up to 20 ft. (6 m).
