Logistics and warehousing are shifting fast toward cobots, AMRs, and flexible automation. Many of these applications run far from traditional utilities, demand rapid reconfiguration, and are under pressure to cut energy use and emissions.
piCOBOT® Electric for Logistics & Warehousing
Product Article from | Piab
Executive summary
Logistics and warehousing are shifting fast toward cobots, AMRs, and flexible automation. Many of these applications run far from traditional utilities, demand rapid reconfiguration, and are under pressure to cut energy use and emissions.
piCOBOT® Electric is Piab’s fully electric vacuum gripper platform for cobots and small industrial robots. It delivers high lifting performance without compressed air, in a compact, lightweight unit with a rich ecosystem of grippers and accessories.
For customers, that means:
- Less dependence on plant air
- Easier deployment on mobile robots and in tight spaces
- Lower energy consumption with strong, reliable gripping
- Faster reconfiguration as product mixes and flows change
Why logistics operations are going electric
Mobility and flexibility
Modern logistics sites rely increasingly on AMRs and cobots. Many of these:
- Operate in areas where compressed air is not installed or is costly to extend
- Must be redeployed quickly between lines or zones
- Need unrestricted robot arm movement, without trailing hoses
piCOBOT® Electric “operates without compressed air,” eliminating the need for hoses and giving the cobot arm complete freedom of movement. This makes it especially suitable for AMR-mounted cobots and flexible work cells in dynamic warehouses.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
Energy cost and sustainability targets are now central purchasing criteria. Piab highlights “substantial energy savings with low power consuming grippers and components,” helping logistics operators meet environmental goals.
By replacing air-driven vacuum generation with a compact electric unit, customers can:
- Reduce compressor demand and associated energy use
- Manage energy locally at the robot level for both compressed air and electricity
- Support decarbonization initiatives without compromising performance
Collaborative, space-constrained environments
Cobot cells in logistics and warehousing must fit into crowded, shared spaces and work safely around people. piCOBOT® Electric is “designed for collaborative tasks between humans and robots,” with a slim, lightweight design that mounts directly on the cobot arm.
High-value logistics applications
°AMR-mounted cobots: mobile handling and picking
°Cobot palletizing and depalletizing
°Piece picking and bin picking for e-commerce
°Training, demos, and multi-purpose cells
Summary
piCOBOT® Electric brings high-performance vacuum gripping to cobots and AMRs without the complexity of compressed air. It combines:
- Fully electric vacuum generation
- Lightweight, compact design for direct cobot mounting
- A powerful ecosystem of cups, grippers, tool changers, and docking stations
- Energy-efficient operation aligned with logistics sustainability goals
For logistics and warehousing operations looking to automate faster, move toward mobile and collaborative systems, and reduce energy and infrastructure costs, piCOBOT® Electric is a natural cornerstone of the vacuum automation strategy.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow
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