SlipBot strikes automotive elements for Nissan in Mississippi. Supply: Slip Robotics
For greater than a century, truck trailers have been loaded and unloaded in the identical method, resulting in wasted time for drivers and harmful bursts of exercise for forklift operators. Slip Robotics at present stated it has raised Collection B funding of $28 million because it presents to automate and speed up truck loading and unloading with its SlipBots.
Truckers spend 23% of their workday idling at loading docks, whereas forklift operators rush to hold freight between the trailer and staging space, regardless of 25% of all industrial accidents going down on the loading dock, in keeping with Slip Robotics.
“Modernizing loading and unloading is a gigantic drawback ready to be solved,” stated James Hardiman, common companion at lead investor DCVC. “Slip Robotics is driving a degree of change within the provide chain {industry} not seen for the reason that containerization of sea freight. Their options will not be simply theoretical—they work, and so they ship worth and scale at present.”
Slip Robotics gained a 2024 RBR50 Robotics Innovation Award for its improvement of SlipBot.
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SlipBots lower loading instances to minutes
“The necessity for larger provide chain automation has by no means been extra vital,” stated Slip Robotics. “Labor shortages, rising operational prices, and the demand for sooner supply instances are all driving a shift towards smarter, automated options.”
SlipBot allows the automated loading and unloading of any truck at any dock, with any kind of freight, in any trailer, and with zero Wi-Fi or IT integration required, claimed the Norcross, Ga.-based firm. The robots can lower loading instances from 30 to 60 minutes to only 5, it added.
Slip Robotics asserted that its programs, which it presents in a robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) community, can 10x enhancements in security, velocity, and financial savings throughout the provision chain. It stated this broad applicability and ease of deployment has fueled Slip’s speedy adoption and enlargement with clients.
Corporations throughout North America are utilizing SlipBots in 24/7 manufacturing operations, together with John Deere, GE Home equipment, Nissan, and different producers and logistics operators, stated Slip.
SlipBot automates trailer loading and loading for Valeo in Indiana. Supply: Slip Robotics
Valeo will increase throughput, security
Valeo, a multinational automotive elements producer, used SlipBots to cut back its trailer load/unload instances. It stated 26 SlipBots seamlessly built-in into its operations, enabling workers to extend dock throughput by 6x, scale back forklift visitors by 8x, and enhance security on the loading dock.
“Slip Robotics makes our lives simpler and proves that automation doesn’t must be troublesome,” stated Lou D’Allura, productiveness supervisor at Valeo. “It’s the actual deal.”
“Slip’s options don’t simply symbolize the long run—they resolve at present’s challenges,” added Chris Smith, CEO of Slip Robotics. “We’re shifting freight sooner, extra safely, and at a decrease price for industry-leading manufacturers throughout the provision chain.”
Slip Robotics invests in staffers, R&D
DCVC, a number one Silicon Valley enterprise capital agency specializing in deep tech, led Slip Robotics’ Collection B spherical. The corporate has raised $45 million to this point from buyers resembling Eve Atlas, Tech Sq. Ventures, Hyde Park Enterprise Companions, Overline, and Pathbreaker Ventures, all of which participated in its newest financing.
Slip Robotics stated the funding will assist it “to speed up change in probably the most labor-intensive elements of logistics.” The firm plans to develop its staff to help speedy development, enhance deployments, and improve its product choices.
As well as, Slip stated it’s investing in continued business development together with analysis and improvement with a deal with delivering larger worth to clients. Different builders of truck loading and unloading robots embrace Boston Dynamics, Dexterity, Mujin, Pickle Robotic, and Rightbot Applied sciences, and extra.
