5 Robotic Innovations To Help Optimize Facilities
Designed to support facility teams, these robotic innovations reduce operational strain and drive greater efficiency.
Autonomous Robotic Kitchen Technology By Aramark & RoboEatz
Autonomous Robotic Kitchen (ARK) technology was designed to assist nurses, doctors, hospital staff, and other healthcare facility workers with meal preparation during demanding shifts. The technology aims to deliver high-quality, customizable meals at any time, for any shift, and for any dietary restrictions. ARK technology operates within a 400-square-foot area and uses a robot to grab ingredients from storage bins to prepare up to four personalized bowl-based meals at a time, drawing from a selection of up to 80 fresh ingredients. Its 24/7 availability ensures consistent access to meals beyond traditional dining hours through mobile or kiosk ordering. The system requires minimal staffing and provides replenishment alerts via a mobile app to dining services. Utilizing Aramark’s Point of Sale system (POS), menu management, and supply chain, ARK can manage end-to-end kitchen tasks, including food storage, meal preparation, cleaning, and plating. The software ensures seamless integration and compliance with nutritional standards and food consistency.
K7 Autonomous Security Robot By Knightscope
The K7 Autonomous Security Robot (ASR) was designed to secure environments previously considered too large, too remote, or too dangerous for conventional solutions. It provides perimeter protection for large outdoor environments. Engineered to patrol vast outdoor areas 24/7, the K7 combines light-duty, off-road performance with Knightscope’s proven suite of AI-powered detection, deterrence, and reporting technologies—extending protection beyond the reach of traditional cameras or human guards. The K7 is designed to autonomously patrol miles of fence lines, warehouses, and open terrain—safeguarding physical assets that traditional systems struggle to reach effectively. Ideal for critical infrastructure, transportation hubs, logistics yards, industrial complexes, and defense installations, its advanced sensor array enables it to watch, listen, and patrol autonomously while relaying real-time intelligence and situational awareness.
Dex By Richtech Robotics
Dex is Richtech Robotics’ first mobile humanoid robot designed for industrial use. Dex operates in dynamic environments, adapts with real-time reasoning, and performs complex tasks with precision for a full workday on a single charge. It can learn tasks virtually and implement behaviors in live settings through a “Sim2Real” pipeline that shortens deployment cycles, enhances safety, and supports faster scaling. Dex’s two-armed precision and wheeled platform offer fast braking, tight maneuvering, and stability while maintaining lower energy and maintenance costs. The robot features a four-hour battery life in mobile mode or continuous operation from a static base, dual production arms with modular end-effectors, and a four-camera vision system for navigation and task execution. Dex supports light to medium industrial tasks such as machine operation, material handling, quality inspection, and packaging, helping manufacturers improve productivity and adapt workflows efficiently.
StackTrax By IPR Robotics
StackTrax is a customizable Dual 7th-Axis system designed to extend robot reach and reduce complexity for manufacturers. Built for computer numerical control, material removal, and other machine tending applications, StackTrax expands a robot’s working envelope while saving space and deployment time compared to overhead or traditional gantry systems. The system combines two linear axes into one compact platform, providing gantry-like reach without overhead support or extensive custom engineering. StackTrax is compatible with all major robot brands and can also operate without a robot. It can be configured for a wide range of payloads, making it suitable for both small cells and larger installations. Key benefits include a customizable design, broad payload compatibility, compact footprint, walkable covers for maintenance access, and faster installation supported by standard components. StackTrax offers a practical option for expanding automation capabilities and increasing efficiency in manufacturing environments.
UR8 Long By Universal Robots
The UR8 Long is an industrial collaborative robot designed for demanding automation tasks, offering a 68.9” reach with a slim profile. It combines reach, stability, and precision in a compact, lightweight form with a 17.6 lbs payload, making it suitable for applications ranging from weldments to dunnage picking and multi-point inspections. UR8 Long can be extended with MotionPlus, UR’s motion control technology that supports integration with linear axes, rotary positioners, and turntables for precise control and smoother trajectories. With upgraded freedrive capabilities, users can manually guide the arm for more intuitive lead-to-teach programming and faster setup on complex parts without additional interfaces or external tools. Its lighter mass and compact wrist design support mounting on gantries, rails, or overhead systems. The longer reach, compact tool flange, and fast wrist joints allow more pick positions and enable the robot to reach into bin corners, helping maintain efficient workflows in space-constrained cells.