Uniqlo warehouse robots can pick up and pack t-shirts just as well as humans

Fashion brand Uniqlo has come closer to full automation in its factories with the introduction of robots that can pick up t-shirts. Fast Retailing, the owner of the massive Uniqlo brand, is kitting out its warehouses with the textile-packing machines, developed with Japanese startup Mujin. While the industrial power and rigid frames of many logistics robots are suited to heavy loads, textiles are lighter and require a slightly softer touch to prevent damage. But footage shows the Intelligent Piece Packing Robot's curved arm using suction to cling to plastic-packaged t-shirts and place them neatly in boxes to be shipped to customers. 'We've been putting off working with an apparel company because it's so difficult,' said Issei Takino, co-founder and chief executive of Mujin, as quoted by the Financial Times.