Byte-Sized AI: Staples Launches Picking Robots; Startups Secure Serious Cash
Byte-Sized AI is a bi-weekly column that covers all things artificial intelligence—from startup funding, to newly inked partnerships, to just-launched, AI-powered capabilities from major retailers, software providers and supply chain players.
Staples uses inventory-picking robots to bolster next-day delivery
Staples announced a multi-ear partnership with RightHand Robotics to help with picking for e-commerce, per an announcement from RightHand.
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The office supply retailer will be using the robotics company’s RightPick system, an autonomous robot that handles picking in warehouses. Throughout its collaboration with Staples, RightHand has developed new features that allow its robots to “double the range of items that a RightPick station can handle while reducing the number of required interventions by 80 percent,” per the company.
Brian Owen, CEO of RightHand Robotics, said the partnership between the two Massachusetts-based companies exhibits the efficiency robots can bring to a sometimes mundane process.
“Our RightPick system sets a new standard in the flexibility, autonomy, and reliability of warehouse robotics. We’re thrilled that Staples recognized the benefits of using our technology to further enhance their automation strategy. It’s great to team up with an established industry leader to optimize their fulfillment operations.”
The robots have been tested for both safety and performance. According to Amit Kalra, Staples’ chief supply chain officer, noted that the technology offers strong accuracy and efficiency benefits.
“We have always valued automation, and we see it as the future of e-commerce picking,” Kalra said in a statement. “After evaluating other solutions, the RightPick system met our high performance and reliability standards, picking items with different shapes, packaging, sizes, and weight.”
Danish startup raises funds for better inventory planning
Another startup has joined the ranks of a number of companies working to prevent waste preemptively.
Hakio announced Thursday it had raised $4.3 million in seed funding, aimed at reducing waste in fashion. People Ventures and Dreamcraft Ventures co-led the funding round, supported by the startup’s existing investors, Blazar Capital and Founderment.
The startup uses AI to increase companies’ accuracy in forecasting, with the end goal of matching production to actual projected demand, rather than overproducing garments that could otherwise end up in a landfill. It does so via an analysis of about 150 variables, like macroeconomic trends, marketing insights and consumer behavior patterns.
According to Malte Vittrup, the solution will help brands and retailers to eliminate harmful partialities, ensuring more accurate ordering for future seasons.
“By removing bias when creating a baseline forecast and subsequently including expert knowledge in a sleek and user-friendly platform, fashion brands can increase planning accuracy and reduce operational costs and working capital. This means companies can free up funds to use elsewhere,” Vittrup said.
The startup will use its newly raised funds to increase its headcount and expand further into the European market, per a release. In the United States, similar solutions have recently received funding.
In 2023, Impact Analytics raised $40 million for its AI solutions, which include forecasting, and inventory optimization platform Syrup Tech saw a $17.5 million cash infusion.
Inspectorio aggregates tools into supply chain management platform
Supply chain SaaS provider Inspectorio announced Wednesday it would release the Inspectorio Supply Chain Management Platform, which combines the company’s standalone tools into one end-to-end supply chain suite, powered by AI.
The capabilities under the new platform include quality management, sustainability and compliance, production management, supply chain mapping and more. The platform can use the data pinpointed through these functions to provide analysis and recommendations to take down risk before it affects the supply chain.
Its Predictive AI and Prescriptive AI functions connect data to any potential risks while also sharing best practices to streamline operations and production.
Carlos Moncayo, Inspectorio’s co-founder and CEO, said the platform will help provide cost savings and insights at all stages of the supply chain.
“Traditionally, supply chain participants are siloed, which makes it difficult to see what’s really happening and leads to duplicated efforts, inaccurate reporting, and inefficient supply chain processes,” said Moncayo. “With the Inspectorio Supply Chain Management Platform, we deliver instant access to insights about supply chain performance, using AI to evaluate multiple factors simultaneously. Because we operate directly within the supply chain as well, this end-to-end visibility, coupled with artificial intelligence, unlocks new potential for optimization, cost savings, quality improvement, and risk mitigation.”
Sony Semiconductor spinout grabs $20 million for supply chain intelligence
Sensos, an Israeli startup that spun out of Sony Semiconductors, announced this month it had raised $20 million in Series A funding, led by Magenta Venture Partners. Other participating investors included JAL Ventures, Israel Cargo Logistics and Sumitomo Corporation.
Sony Semiconductors is a unit of major electronics player Sony. It works on image sensing and processing solutions, which have a variety of use cases. Sensos has leveraged the technology to solve for fragmented, siloed logistics tracking and operations.
According to the startup, its technology uses a cellular label to track a product from OEM to distribution center. It does so via an AI-powered control tower, which allows logistics employees to look into their data in real time.
One of its early clients is German logistics giant DB Schenker, but the startup noted that its technology can be applied to a number of industries.
Aviv Castro, Sensos’ CEO, said the technology will help break down silos, facilitating stronger information sharing and more efficient logistics processes.
“This investment from leading players in the industry is a clear vote of confidence in the team and in the solution, solving the lack of actionable data and the need for optimized execution in today’s logistics market,” Castro said in a statement. “By using the Sensos solution, companies can optimize production planning, inventory levels, and shipping efficiency and at the same time monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions meeting ESG regulations.”
My Size subsidiary unleashes new generative AI tools
SaaS company My Size, Inc. announced Thursday it had added new capabilities to its suite, which came out of its subsidiary Naiz Fit.
One of the two new functions is a search feature that would allow users to make practical searches, rather than for specific products. The capability mirrors what other technology players, like XGEN AI, Walmart and Amazon have begun to implement across the retail industry, enabling stronger product discovery.
According to the company, users can query a “specialized agent,” which would be trained on a company’s proprietary data and assortment, to receive answers to inquiries like “What should I wear to a party?” or “What would look good with my jeans?”
In addition to the new search function, Naiz Fit unveiled a new virtual try-on tool that allows consumers to mix and match products to understand how they will fit—and whether they complement each other when worn together.
Ronen Luzon, founder and CEO of My Size, said the advancements represent a valuable way to connect with clients as they consider how to leverage technology to meet their consumers where they are.
“At My Size, we are committed to driving innovation and redefining the retail experience through technology,” Luzon said in a statement. “The integration of generative AI into Naiz Fit’s offerings represents a significant milestone in our journey, offering unprecedented personalization and engagement to both brands and consumers. This is just the beginning of how we envision the future of fashion tech.”
