#13 Robots Rule Warehouses: Pickle, Proxie, and Figure Gamechangers

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You're halfway through unloading a truck, drenched in sweat, back screaming, and wishing a robot could take over. Good news—Pickle, Proxie, and Figure 02 heard your cries. These robots aren’t just helping; they’re here to transform warehouses, one revolutionary gadget at a time.

Pickle Robot:Unloading the Future, One Truck at a Time

Truck unloading—dirty, backbreaking, and soul-crushing. The kind of job you’d only take if the alternative was wrestling a bear. Enter Pickle Robot. No, not a cartoon sidekick. It’s a real company automating this thankless task, and they just scored $50 million in Series B funding to make it happen.

Since 2018, Pickle has been on a mission to rescue logistics workers from truck unloading purgatory. Their robots, powered by “Physical AI” (fancy talk for sensors, machine learning, and computer vision), have already moved over 10 million pounds of everything from power tools to air fryers. The goal? Unload faster, safer, and without needing ibuprofen afterward.

Pickle’s pitch is simple: robots tackle the dull, dirty, and dangerous work so humans can do, well, literally anything else. With logistics turnover skyrocketing, this isn’t about replacing people—it’s about filling the gaps where no one wants to work.

Now armed with fresh funding, Pickle plans to automate 1 million warehouse doors in the next 10 years. They’re not just talking big—they’ve got major players like Toyota Ventures and Ranpak betting on them. These bots aren’t just unloading trucks; they’re unloading headaches for warehouse managers everywhere.

So here’s to a future where robots do the heavy lifting, and workers can focus on jobs that don’t involve throwing out their backs. Pickle Robots are changing the game, one warehouse at a time.

(And seriously, if they can figure out how to unload the dishwasher next, we’ll all owe them one.)

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Proxie Robots: The Mobile Workhorse We Didn’t Know We Needed

Forget humanoids trying to act like warehouse MVPs—Collaborative Robotics’ Proxie mobile manipulator just rolled in to show who’s boss. Unveiled publicly for the first time, this robot skips the humanoid hype and gets straight to business, moving carts and lifting logistics into the future.

Founded by Brad Porter, the guy who helped Amazon deploy 500,000 robots, Proxie isn’t just cool—it’s practical. With a four-wheel “swerve drive” base that glides like a figure skater and a knack for safely navigating warehouses, Proxie has already won over clients like Moderna and the Mayo Clinic. It’s even pulling carts for a global logistics giant. Humanoid robots? They’re cute, but Proxie’s out here moving 1,500-pound carts without breaking a sweat.

Let’s talk specs. Proxie’s got a vertical axis for cart handling and will soon offer a six-degree-of-freedom collaborative arm. Translation? It’s versatile enough to juggle workflows in manufacturing, supply chains, and healthcare. Unlike humanoids, it doesn’t need downtime to recharge its ego—or its batteries.

Porter himself isn’t shy about the humanoid vs. manipulator debate. “Humanoids look cool,” he said, “but they’re not strong enough.” It’s like comparing a bodybuilder to someone who skipped leg day for years—one’s doing the heavy lifting, and the other’s just posing for Instagram.

With $100 million in Series B funding, Proxie is set to lead the charge in mobile manipulation, proving that robots don’t need a human face to revolutionize industries. The future of automation is here, and it’s efficient, affordable, and strong enough to make humanoids rethink their career choices.

Figure 02 BWM Update

The latest update on Figure 02, BMW’s humanoid robot project, has arrived—and it’s a showstopper. The video, released on November 19, 2024, is all about highlighting advancements made during trials at BMW's Spartanburg plant. It’s flashy, exciting, and full of potential. But let’s unpack it.

According to the video, Figure 02 boasts:

• 400% faster operational speed and a sevenfold improvement in task success rates compared to earlier models. It’s now cranking out 1,000 sheet metal placements a day.

• Tech upgrades, including hands with 16 active degrees of freedom, triple the processing power, and sensory equipment that promises human-like interaction. Cameras, microphones, precision? Check, check, and check.

• A focus on ergonomics, taking over tasks that leave human workers sore and tired. This fits BMW’s BMW iFACTORY vision: safer, more digital, and more sustainable manufacturing.

Sounds like a dream robot, right? But here’s where I pause. Numbers like “400% faster” and “sevenfold improvement” are impressive, but without context, they’re hard to weigh. Faster than what? A sloth? A veteran assembly worker? Without a clear baseline, it feels like marketing math.

And then there’s the video itself. It’s all sleek transitions, cinematic angles, and shiny robotics. Sure, it’s great for the hype train, but I’d much rather see Figure 02 in an unedited, amateur clip. Show me the real deal: an awkward phone-shot video of the robot in action, maybe even struggling a bit. Authenticity beats Hollywood polish any day.

Still, I can’t deny it—Figure 02 looks incredible. With BMW and Figure Robotics behind it, this could genuinely redefine manufacturing. It’s not just about doing tasks; it’s about doing them autonomously, with precision and reliability. January 2025’s evaluation will be the moment of truth.

Until then, let’s hope for less studio gloss and more gritty reality. After all, true innovation doesn’t need a filter.

Ending

Here’s to a fresh week full of possibilities—whether you’re conquering deadlines, sipping coffee like a pro, or just taking it one step at a time. Let’s make it count, keep the momentum going, and crush whatever comes our way. Have a fantastic week ahead!