With new funding, Pickommerce aims to enhance its innovative PickoBot technology, addressing the global labor shortage in warehouse logistics by automating the critical pick-and-pack process.
Pickommerce, an innovator in warehouse automation, has successfully secured $3.4 million in funding to enhance its flagship piece-picking robot, PickoBot. This new capital infusion will be used to advance the development, production, and marketing of this robot, which is designed to address a critical gap in the automation of logistics operations.
The global warehouse automation market is expected to experience significant growth, with projections estimating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 53.4% and reaching a value of nearly $9 billion by 2029, according to Mordor Intelligence.
The funding round was led by IL Ventures, which focuses on disruptive technologies for legacy industries. Other contributors include InNegev, Fusion VC, the Israel Innovation Authority, and ZIM Ventures, the venture capital arm of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. The strategic backing from these investors highlights the growing demand for advanced automation solutions in logistics, particularly in light of the global labor shortage affecting warehouse operations.
Warehouse automation has already made great strides, with robots taking over tasks such as crate collection and package unloading. However, the critical “Pick and Pack” phase, which involves selecting and packaging items, has largely remained reliant on human workers.
This reliance poses a challenge for the industry, as millions of workers are needed to fill these roles globally. Enter piece-picking robots like PickoBot, which offer a solution by automating the handling and placement of inventory, thereby reducing the need for manual labor, improving accuracy, and increasing efficiency.
Pickommerce’s PickoBot is designed to work in a variety of industries, including retail, e-commerce, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, to name a few. Its advanced machine learning algorithms and computer vision system allow it to handle items of various shapes, sizes, and textures with precision. The robot features multiple gripping technologies—vacuum-based, finger-based, and adhesive-based grippers—that can be used in a single station.
According to a press release, this flexibility is made possible by AI-driven decision-making algorithms that choose the optimal gripper for each item, significantly enhancing the robot’s versatility.
IL Ventures’ Managing Partner Yoni Heilbronn praised Pickommerce for “delivering advanced solutions that streamline automation operations,” further stating that the technology would redefine standards in logistics. The PickoBot’s ability to automate tasks traditionally handled by human pickers is expected to revolutionize the industry by providing a more cost-effective and responsive system for managing warehouse operations.
One of PickoBot’s notable implementations is at Havivian Farm, an organic farm in Israel, where it has been instrumental in automating the high-volume packing of fresh produce. The robot’s ability to handle delicate items, such as fruits and vegetables, with care and precision sets it apart from competitive solutions.
This advantage has proven especially valuable for supermarkets and other retailers that process online orders, as it ensures produce is packed efficiently and delivered to customers in optimal condition. “Pickommerce has been integral to our process,” stated Boaz Havivian, the farm’s owner. “Their PickoBot ensures our produce is handled with care and reaches our customers in perfect condition.”
Kfir Nissim, Co-Founder and CEO of Pickommerce, emphasized the company’s commitment to pushing industry boundaries by offering unmatched flexibility and versatility with their PickoBot technology. He noted that this is achieved through the integration of advanced computer vision, optimized packing algorithms, and AI-powered decision-making, which together provide a high level of autonomy and efficiency in warehouse operations. “We appreciate the commitment from our investors, customers, and partners, and we are seeing significant market demand for PickoBot,” Nissim added.
Pickommerce’s focus on transforming logistics with its autonomous pick-and-pack stations comes at a crucial time as the industry faces increasing pressure to reduce operational costs and meet growing demand. By addressing the shortage of human pickers, the company aims to set new standards for efficiency, accuracy, and reliability in both traditional and automated warehouse environments.
