MHI Robotics admits Daifuku-Wynright.

The Robotics Group is intended to help automation suppliers address common challenges, discuss standards, and promote adoption.

As the robotics community grows, so too are organizations offering to help the industry. The Robotics Group last week announced the recent approval of Schneider Electric, Third Wave Automation, and Daifuku Wynright's applications to join the MHI industry group.

MHI, formerly the Material Handling Industry of America, is an international trade association that has represented the material handling, logistics, and supply chain industry since 1945. Its members include equipment and systems manufacturers, integrators, consultants, publishers, and third-party logistics providers (3PLs).

MHI offers education, networking, and sourcing for its members, their customers, and the industry as a whole through programming and events. The Charlotte, N.C.-based association sponsors the ProMat and MODEX expos to showcase the products and services of its member companies and to educate manufacturing and supply chain professionals on ways to improve productivity.

MHI groups address common challenges

Member companies of MHI can join any of its industry groups or its Solutions Community. The industry groups share information and conduct research to stay at the forefront of their industry, said the organization.

Typical group activities include industry statistics collection, standards development, technical publications, public relations, promotion of safety, and member and user education.

The Solutions Community brings MHI members together with equipment and systems users to collaborate and address common challenges and opportunities in manufacturing and supply chain in a safe-harbor environment. MHI created The Robotics Group in 2019.

The Robotics Group welcomes new members

The Robotics Group (TRG) approved the new members at MHI's 2022 Spring Meetings held in May. The industry group was formed in 2018. Its said its members include leading manufacturers, integrators, consultants, and component suppliers of robotics designed specifically for warehousing and distribution applications.

TRG member companies meet regularly to identify methods of promoting adoption of robotics and automation in material handling applications. The Robotics Group said it identifies barriers to adoption and tries to understand “the voice of the customer while creating opportunities to encourage the transition of automated technologies to promote supply chain efficiency.”

Hobart, Ind.-based Daifuku Wynright is a subsidiary of Daifuku North America that provides package conveyor and sortation systems, automated storage, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), picking systems, and other robots and software.

Schneider Electric Motion USA Inc. makes motion-control components for automation equipment. Novanta Inc. acquired the Marlborough, Conn.-based company for $115 million in July 2021.

Third Wave Automation Inc. has initially focused on automating forklifts. The Union City, Calif.-based company closed $40 million in Series B funding last August.