ShipHero, a shipping and logistics platform for more than 5,000 eCommerce brands and third-party logistics (3PL) providers, announced that it would implement inVia Robotics' robotic system at two more fulfillment centers. The company has been using inVia's automated picking and replenishment robots at its Jacksonville, Florida location, and its now adding that technology to its Allentown, Pennsylvania and Las Vegas warehouses. ShipHero and inVia have already built a native integration between inVia's warehouse execution system (WES) and ShipHero's warehouse management system (WMS) software, ensuring rapid and seamless deployments in the new facilities. "Over the last two years we've seen demand for 3PL services grow dramatically, which has led to a greater need for technology that can help keep products moving quickly through the order process," Lior Elazary, CEO and co-founder of inVia Robotics, said. "The native integration between our WES and ShipHero's WMS will allow us to very rapidly expand both of our technologies into additional warehouses, bypassing the need for time-consuming custom systems integration. We're excited to expand our AI and automation services across ShipHero's strategic distribution network."

In this episode, Lauren Klein speaks with Dr. Rand Voorhies, co-founder and CTO of inVia Robotics. In a world where consumers expect fast home delivery of a variety of goods, inVia's mission is to help warehouse workers package diverse sets of products quickly using a system of autonomous mobile robots. Voorhies describes how inVia's robots operate to pick and deliver boxes or totes of products to and from people workers in a warehouse environment eliminating the need for people to walk throughout the warehouse, and how the actions of the robots are optimized.

Warehouse robots are increasingly taking on the task of collecting the items you order online and getting them ready to ship. It used to take 6-8 weeks for an order to arrive - now Amazon and Walmart can get you your stuff the next day. How are online companies getting you your goods so fast? In many cases, robots are helping to speed things along! Recently, I visited Westlake Village, California startup inVia Robotics.