In context
In early 2023, labor shortages and rising operational costs were pressing wholesale distributors and grocery warehouses to seek automation beyond traditional mechanized systems. Partnerships between robotics suppliers and software specialists were becoming a key route to integrated, high-throughput solutions.
What was reported
Addverb, an automation solutions provider, announced a partnership with Velociti Alliance to deliver "innovative futuristic warehouse automation and robotics" for the convenience store and grocery supply chain. The collaboration integrates Addverb's portfolio of mobile robots, ASRS, picking technologies, and software with Velociti's solutions to increase storage capacity and pick throughput in wholesale distribution centers.
Key technologies include Addverb's Quadron carton shuttle and Medius multi-level shuttle, combined with goods-to-person stations powered by Concinity, Addverb's warehouse execution software. The companies claim these integrated systems can achieve efficiencies up to three times higher than conventional mechanized and manually operated warehouses.
Velociti's software suite adds workflow management capabilities: CloudLogic uses game-theory-based algorithms to update picking and packing assignments in microseconds based on worker location and traffic patterns; PiecePick batches orders to shorten travel distances; and SmokePick accelerates cigarette picking, sorting, and stamping.
"Our partnership combines world-class software and hardware into a unified solution, which will drive more profit to our clients' bottom line."
Why it mattered
This partnership highlighted a growing trend in industrial automation: combining specialized robotics hardware with intelligent software to address labor shortages and boost efficiency in niche verticals like grocery distribution. The emphasis on unified solutions signaled a shift toward turnkey systems that can be deployed rapidly to meet pressing operational challenges.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2023-01-09 · “Addverb and Velociti Alliance partner to automate grocery intralogistics”