Pickommerce Advances Commercialization of Autonomous Pick-and-Pack Station

A provider of automated grasping solutions for the logistics sector, Pickommerce AI Robotics (PAR) announced the procurement of $3.4 million in funding to drive the development, manufacturing, and sales of its latest piece-picking robotic solution, PickoBot.

The robot employs advanced artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, gripping technology, and a sophisticated computer vision system to enable smart, safe picking and packing of goods across food and beverage, retail, electronics, e-commerce, pharmaceutical, spare parts, and agricultural industries.

The PickoBot provides machine operators with patented adhesive, finger, and vacuum-based grippers to suit different product shapes and sizes. Image used courtesy of PAR

Automating Picking and Packing Processes

At the click of a button, online shoppers can secure a purchase, whether that be a new, even thinner flat-screen TV, an unwired, automated vacuum machine, or a pair of fresh new sneakers. Sounds simple, right? But this wonderfully user-friendly transaction sets off a long chain of events that require more logistics tact to get desired goods from warehouses to a customer’s door.

Traditionally, the warehouse management system (WMS) would receive an order and mark an item for picking. A human worker would retrieve the list of items that need packing, labeling, and shipping, and then deposit these items in the right location for the next stage of the process. While this system has been in use for a long time, the lack of labor (heightened by the pandemic and supply chain woes over the past years) has proved a challenge for warehouse and logistics sectors.

The pressure of alleviating the labor shortage in this sector has led to the creation of smart, automated mobile robots (AMRs), piece-picking, and packing robots. Implementing automated machinery reduces the need for human pickers, freeing up time to concentrate on higher-value tasks that require more skill and training, developing employees, and avoiding labor shortage concerns. Automated machinery also keeps warehousing and logistics operations going 24-7 when human workers might come down with an illness and get tired, increasing the likelihood of errors and slowing order fulfillment.

The exponential growth of the e-commerce industry is the primary driver behind the growth in order fulfillment centers across the globe. According to Grand View Research, the market for warehouse order picking was valued at USD 9.19 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.8% between 2024 and 2030. Manufacturing held the largest market share at 21.9% in 2023, followed closely by transportation and logistics, retail, and e-commerce. Throughout the forecast period, the e-commerce category is anticipated to grow at the highest rate, 13.4%.

Technologies such as PAR’s PickoBot pick-and-pack station are expected to improve operational efficiency in the order fulfillment process to keep up with e-commerce customer needs.

PickoBot, the Pick & Pack Station

The PickoBot’s innovative gripper technology incorporates a continuous strip of adhesive tape for handling delicate items, specialized grippers for navigating complex item picks (such as vegetables and shoe boxes), and the optimized placement of goods. The PickoBot also features other gripping modalities, including finger and vacuum-based picking.

A brief overview of the PickoBot’s capabilities. Video used courtesy of PAR

Gripping and grasping are configured with the support of an advanced AI algorithm. Pickommerce says that its PickoBot is compatible with widely used Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS)​ and increases operational efficiency in high-SKU (stock-keeping unit) environments.

One of Israel's biggest organic farms, Havivian Farm, implemented Pickommerce's PickoBot system to automate and lower expenses on its fresh fruit and vegetable packing line. Perfect for supermarkets handling online purchases, the PickoBot technology effectively manages the intricacies of selecting and packaging fresh food.

Innovation Through Investment

The funding round was led by IL Ventures with other participating investors, including InNegev, the Israel Innovation Authority, Fusion VC, and strategic investor ZIM Ventures, the corporate venture arm of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.