Slip Robotics today announced that it has added SlipBot+, a suite of modular attachments for its SlipBot system. The company said the attachments will make it easier to autonomously load and unload more freight types, including loose parcels, non-stackable items, and oversized freight, in just five minutes.
“SlipBot+ attachments are a natural extension of our SlipBot platform, developed and configured alongside our diverse customer base,” stated Jordan Sanders, chief commercial officer of Slip Robotics. “Slip customers can streamline loading of all types of freight — not just pallets — while maximizing trailer space and operational throughput.”
Norcross, Ga.-based Slip Robotics claimed that its robots can load and unload any truck at any dock, with any type of freight, in any trailer, and with zero Wi-Fi or IT integration required. The company added that its robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) network can drive 10x improvements in safety, speed, and savings across the supply chain.
Manufacturers and logistics companies across North America are using SlipBots in production operations, including John Deere, GE Appliances, Nissan, and Valeo. Slip Robotics, which won a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its approach to loading and unloading, raised $28 million in December.
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SlipBot+Bin and SlipBot+Edge arrive for loose freight
SlipBot+Bin is suitable for fluid-loaded parcels, increasing throughput to more than 1,200 parcels per hour and cutting dock dwell times by over 90%, asserted Slip Robotics. Modular walls provide easy, swarm access for boxes to be stacked on and off of the bots in parallel, cutting overall freight processing time by over 60%, it added.
SlipBot+Edge is intended to enable human workers to floor-load boxes on SlipBots more easily with swarm access. Four Hands LLC, a global designer and wholesaler of home furnishings, uses it to process a diverse product mix, ranging from 2-lb. (0.9 kg) lamps to 400-lb. (181.4 kg) coffee tables.
“We’ve reduced unloading time by almost 75%, loading times by 50%, and product touches by 50%,” said Billy Malady, vice president of operations at Four Hands.
SlipBot+Rack and SlipBot+XL handle non-stackable, oversized freight
SlipBot+Rack transforms non-stackable freight into stackable units, more than doubling trailer capacity, said Slip Robotics. This configurable design enables SlipBots to handle fragile goods, irregular shapes, and soft packaging using industry-standard load bars, straps, and E-Track connectors.
Companies already have these E-Track components to use in their trailers today, so there is no need to keep up with any new or custom parts, Slip noted.
SlipBot+XL enables SlipBots to handle overhanging and oversized payloads, such as 40-ft. (12.1 m) long steel beams. Slip Robotics said it comes with easy software configuration and mounting points for any necessary fixtures. Companies can transition from the slow process of open flatbed shipments to faster enclosed trailer shipments, saving cost and reducing damages, said Slip.
“Most customers first roll out standard SlipBots for all of their standard freight,” said Sanders. “Then, they naturally ask for SlipBots to handle the rest of their freight, including non-stackable and oversized items that are typically difficult and costly to ship.” “
“Nobody wants to ship air. SlipBot+Rack and SlipBot+XL have made that possible for multiple customers, maximizing trailer space and simplifying their operations,” he said.
SlipBot+ attachments enhance SlipBot’s ability to handle even more freight types, said Slip Robotics. Now, more businesses across supply chains can use SlipBots to quickly load and unload trailers or containers.
The company will exhibit at Booth E11516 at ProMAT in Chicago next week.
