While humanoid robots are not yet in warehouses or loading docks, they are inspiring automation for truck unloading. Lab0 today announced that it plans to debut its humanoid-inspired, artificial intelligence-powered system at ProMAT this month.
“Attendees will see firsthand how our automation can handle the demands of modern warehouses with sustained, real-time operation,” stated Steve Toebes, CEO of Lab0. “They will also see how our RoboGlide system delivers a complete end-to-end inbound logistics solution, from container unloading to inspection, to palletizing.”
The Ridgefield, Wash.-based startup claimed that its system integrates proprietary motion and perception systems to maximize throughput while eliminating inefficiencies. It said it designed RoboGlide for scalability, modularity, flexibility, speed, and precision.
Lab0 builds on NVIDIA simulation tools
Lab0 emerged from stealth last month after more than two years of development work. David McCalib, an MIT alumnus, founded the company. He is a robotics pioneer who played a role in integrating Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Robotics and leading advanced computer-vision projects.
Lab0 said it developed the system with a simulation-first approach using NVIDIA Isaac, a robotics platform that offers AI-driven tools, high-fidelity simulation environments, and hardware acceleration for building and deploying intelligent systems.
Specifically, the company used NVIDIA Isaac Sim, a robotics simulation platform built on NVIDIA Omniverse, and NVIDIA Isaac Lab, a framework for simulation and reinforcement learning. It added that these technologies can help enhance real-time perception, decision-making, and robotic precision.
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RoboGlide to be demonstrated in Chicago
Lab0 plans to demonstrate its automation in Booth E12006 at ProMAT 2025. The company said it will show the following capabilities:
- Patented dual-arm autonomous unloading: RoboGlide uses two robotic arms with sliders to pick and unload packages with AI-driven precision.
- End-to-end autonomous inbound logistics: Designed for high-volume distribution centers, RoboGlide fully automates unloading, sorting, package inspection, character/barcode SKU matching, damage detection, weighing, and palletizing and wrapping, said Lab0.
- AI-powered vision and motion planning: Lab0 said its PerceptO vision system, developed with Isaac Lab, detects package details, identifies anomalies, and continuously optimizes real-time handling. It also calculates the most efficient picking trajectories.
- Humanoid-inspired design: The company asserted that two arms and a powerful perception engine are key to usefulness in many warehouse tasks.
- Flexibility: RoboGlide is intended to seamlessly integrate into new or existing warehouse environments without requiring costly infrastructure changes.
- Proven in real-world environments: Already operational, RoboGlide has demonstrated its ability to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and automate inbound logistics at scale, according to Lab0.
Lab0 said its first customer is a $30 billion small-box retailer that is one of the largest importers of goods into the U.S. It has already integrated the technology as part of a broader initiative to optimize warehouse operations.
