Automation on the Move: Saddle Creek Logistics Deploys Pixmo for Smarter, Safer Logistics
Saddle Creek improved safety and efficiency by deploying Pixmo mobile robots to automate heavy box handling in extreme heat.
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Challenges
Extreme temperatures create a dangerous work environment
Repetitive and ergonomically challenging, an injury-prone task
High employee turnover and limited workforce
Tight quarters and limited footprint
Results
Compact system fits into small container footprint
Reliable automated unload process completed in under 3 hours
Labor decreased from 4 to 5 people to 1 or 2
Dock injuries decreased to zero for unloading operations
Story
With more than 33 million square feet of warehouse space, Saddle Creek Logistics Services is one of the industry’s largest family-owned providers. And of its dozens of locations, its hub in Modesto, California, has proven to be particularly strategic, offering port access in one of the densest states without the high costs of Southern California real estate. But a primary challenge accompanies this region: hot, summer climates that can create temperatures of up to 140 degrees inside the carrier containers that unload daily at the warehouse.
With a focus on continuous improvement and a culture focused on caring for its associates, the company was eager to partner with Anyware Robotics to leverage automation and reduce the safety risk of one of its most undesired tasks, unloading. The FANUC Authorized System Integrator’s robot, named Pixmo, was designed to solve this exact problem. A versatile, AI-powered mobile box handling robot, Pixmo takes on what was once a burdensome manual role, decreasing the number of supporting associates from four to five to one or two.
With a patent-pending conveyor add-on, Pixmo’s functionality, which leverages the power of FANUC’s CRX cobot, increased throughput for Saddle Creek while seamlessly moving boxes much heavier than competing systems can manage. Since deployment, Pixmo has picked more than 1,700,000 pounds of product while transforming safety on site. Dock injuries have dropped to zero for unloading operations and employees have embraced automation while moving into higher-value roles.
The ease of integration, which didn’t require major infrastructure changes or fixed conveyors, allowed Saddle Creek to quickly bring in a solution that worked within their existing footprint to create immediate impact. And since its initial implementation, Pixmo has expanded to support end-of-line palletizing as well, making it the world’s first unloading and palletizing mobile cobot system for the dynamic receiving dock.
Another reason why we partnered with Anyware was that they really understood what our problem statement was. They really understood, and worked with us to design a solution that was very unique and very scalable within our building.
Harshil Aghera Sr. Director of Technology and Innovation – Saddle Creek Logistics ServicesFANUC Products Used
CRX-30iA
The FANUC CRX-30iA is a heavy-lifting cobot with a 30kg payload, featuring wrist buttons for direct, simple teaching and customization.
- Max Payload:
- 30 kg
- Reach:
- 1889 mm
Anyware Robotics
Anyware Robotics develops multi-purpose mobile robots, equipped with physical AI, to enhance operations in labor-intensive industries. Pixmo, the company’s first robot, will initially focus on unloading boxes from containers and trucks in a safe, cost-effective, and reliable way. Built for adaptability, Pixmo’s capabilities will expand with future software updates, enabling mobile palletizing, depalletizing, box picking, and truck loading. Founded by AI and robotics industry veterans, Anyware Robotics is headquartered in Fremont, CA.
Saddle Creek Logistics Company
Saddle Creek is an omnichannel supply chain solutions company providing order fulfillment, warehousing and transportation services. Our custom solutions help get products where they need to be quickly, cost-effectively and seamlessly.