DB Schenker has joined a $31m Series A investment to accelerate the development and commercialization of Gideon Brothers AI & 3D vision-based autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). The technology has already been implemented in DB Schenker’s warehouse in Leipzig, Germany.
AMRs make processes and workflows more efficient and productive. This is typically achieved by performing non-value-added tasks, such as transporting, picking up, and dropping off products, in order to free up colleagues to perform other tasks that add value to the operation. DB Schenker has already introduced autonomous robots from Gideon Brothers at its location in Leipzig in Germany, thus relying on the flexible solution in existing warehouses where productivity can be gained without the need to modify facilities.
Gideon Brothers specializes in the flexible automation of horizontal and vertical material handling processes for logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and retail businesses. With its advanced mobile robots and complete software solutions for autonomous indoor and outdoor operations, the company aims to help businesses solve their most complex supply chain challenges: rising customer expectations, increased product variability and logistics volumes, growing variety of distribution channels, and ultimately, a labour shortage.
Matija Kopić, CEO of Gideon Brothers, said, “The pandemic has greatly accelerated the adoption of smart automation, and we are ready to meet the unprecedented market demand. The best way to do it is by marrying our proprietary solutions with the largest, most demanding customers out there. Our strategic partners have real challenges that our robots are already solving, and, with us, they’re seizing the incredible opportunity right now to effect robotic-powered change to some of the world’s most innovative organizations.”
According to recent research conducted by ABI Research, the global mobile robotics market is expected to grow to $158.6bn by 2030. There will be over 15m autonomous mobile robots in the world by then, and some type of Visual Perception will power 90% of those machines.
The Series A round was led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture and growth arm of Koch Industries, Inc. Gideon Brothers will expand its Board of Directors: Annant Patel, Director, KDT, and Xavier Garijo, Member of the Board of Management for Contract Logistics, DB Schenker.
Source: DB Schenker
