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Robot-assisted picking could get easier with the addition of voice capabilities. Vecna Robotics today announced CaseFlow Voice, which integrates voice technology into its case-picking automation.
“CaseFlow has proven it can dramatically improve case picking throughput,” stated Karl Iagnemma, CEO of Vecna Robotics. “The solution has already helped warehouses cut training time by up to 50% and move significantly more volume with fewer pickers dedicated to travel-heavy workflows. With CaseFlow Voice, we’re extending those gains into environments like cold storage, where automation has historically struggled.”
Vecna Robotics offers autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and the Pivotal platform for flexible material handling. The Waltham, Mass.-based company said its systems orchestrate robots, people, and workflows to optimize task allocation and reduce non-value-added work.
Vecna added that it has designed its systems for high-mix, high-volume environments. The company claimed that they require no fixed infrastructure, integrate with existing warehouse software, and are supported round the clock by its Command Center.
CaseFlow Voice uses Lucas Systems technology
CaseFlow Voice embeds Lucas Systems’ Jennifer voice capabilities directly into case-picking workflows. Vecna Robotics said this enables hands-free operations that improve worker productivity and accuracy while helping warehouses improve throughput by up to 2x.
Wexford, Pa.-based Lucas Systems provides technology supporting workers in more than 400 distribution centers worldwide. Jennifer offers voice options in 37 languages, helping operators support a diverse workforce by enabling workers to interact with the system in their native language.
“For more than 28 years, Lucas Systems has been investing in the use of speech recognition and optimization technologies including AI to dramatically improve warehouse performance,” said Chris Simchick, chief growth officer at Lucas Systems.
“In fact, Lucas Systems’ Jennifer has powered more than 112 billion picks across four continents,” he said. “Our human centric approach to applying warehouse automation has a strong role in warehouses today and in the future by enabling robots and humans to seamlessly collaborate in new and efficient ways.”
Vecna Robotics handles orchestration in cold storage
CaseFlow Voice addresses a critical challenge in operations like cold storage, where gloves, condensation, and limited dexterity make screens and scanners difficult to use, noted Vecna. By supporting both voice and handheld interfaces, CaseFlow adapts to a wider range of warehouse conditions while maintaining ease of use and performance, it said.
CaseFlow orchestrates Vecna’s Co-bot Pallet Jack or CPJ robots and human workers in real time. It dynamically balances robot availability, worker location, and order priorities to streamline case-picking operations, said the company. Workers can remain focused on picking within smaller, dynamic zones, while AMRs handle pallet transport and reduce non-value-added travel, Vecna explained.
With the addition of voice technology, workers receive instructions and confirm tasks through simple voice commands. This reduces reliance on handheld devices while preserving the flexibility of existing operations.
Vecna added that hands-free picking can improve safety by allowing workers to stay focused on the task, while voice-guided workflows accelerate onboarding and reduce training time for new employees.
Vecna Robotics will provide live demonstrations of CaseFlow Voice at Booth C13183 at MODEX in Atlanta. Lucas Systems will exhibit at Booth C12783.