Vanderlande has signed a strategic partnership with fellow Dutch firm Fizyr to develop artificial intelligence (AI) technology for its automated order picking, storage, unloading and palletising robotic solutions.
The results will be integrated into Vanderlande’s existing product portfolio, such as Smart Item Robotics (SIR), which has been designed to handle the large variety of items common to the warehouse, parcel and airports markets.
Fizyr, pivoted from Delft University, in the Netherlands, researches and develops ‘deep-learning’ computer vision software available from a box. This enables robots to process a broad selection of items through extended flexibility and improved handling capabilities, and allows companies to maximise their operational efficiency.
Vanderlande said the partnership will help to improve its existing robotics solutions such as Smart Item Robotics as develop and introduce new robotics solutions within its markets.
“The use of robotics in the logistics industry is extremely complex due to the variety of goods being handled, for example in terms of the shape, size, colour and material,” explains Fizyr’s CEO Herbert ten Have. “By applying deep-learning technology software, we can identify the best grasp locations for a robot, allowing it to cope with a high level of variation.”
For his part, Vanderlande’s CTO Vincent Kwaks said: “Deep learning is changing our landscape over the last years and multiple applications will benefit from these techniques. That’s why we’re delighted to be partnering with Fizyr to explore the potential for our robotics solutions and maybe other automation domains.”
He added: “Fizyr is recognised as one of the leading technology companies in its field and this partnership demonstrates Vanderlande’s commitment to our customers, who look to us to create innovative solutions that help them to remain competitive."
