News
Discussing the Future of Robotics and Micro-Fulfillment with Mike Futch of Tompkins Robotics
In this episode, Tee sits down with Mike Futch, President of Tompkins Robotics to talk about his vast experience in the world of industrial robotics and discuss the Tompkins’ t-Sort Robot. We also talk about micro-fulfillment, how robotics affects the labor force in different markets, and what’s next for the industry.
This wide-ranging conversation includes topics such as:
- The start of Tompkins Robotics (3:19)
- Discussion about the t-Sort Robot Series and how it can be implemented (5:58)
- Focusing on micro-fulfillment in robotics (14:15)
- Dispelling the myths of robotics taking away jobs (16:45)
- What’s next for robotics? (21:02)
Mike and his team at Tompkins Robotics are doing great things and offer unique and effective t-Sort solutions for micro-fulfillment that is quickly deployed and greatly lowers labor costs while increasing the speed and accuracy of an assortment of tasks.
In response to COVID-19 and limiting travel, Tompkins Robotics is now offering interactive virtual tours using a variety of stationary and roaming cameras throughout the facility. We have the capability to demonstrate five t-Sort systems with various configurations, robots and functionalities. The main demonstration system includes three different induction types: manual, robotic and A-frame. Our systems are capable of e-commerce order fulfillment, store replenishment, backroom and parcel / postal sortation. We can demonstrate the original t-Sort robotic system in multiple dual level configurations and an elevator system to move robots between the levels. Our larger t-Sort Plus robots run on single level systems with both tilt tray and crossbelt options. In the very near future we will demonstrate the new t-Sort Mini in an additional system. We have a wide variety of inventory to demonstrate products including general merchandise, apparel, grocery, fragile goods, odd sizes and shapes and a wide range of product weights. You will also have a chance to learn about the technologies that are integrated into our system such as automated induction, automated charging, integrated weight and dimension capture, our proprietary wireless network and Warehouse Execution System (WES), new innovations such as our automated sorter exit solution and more. And if mobility and flexibility are important to you, we can demonstrate how easy it is to reconfigure a system, remove or add a sort table, and even fold a table into a smaller footprint for move or transport.
