Latest news with #Exotec
Cision Canada
12-06-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Exotec North America Opens Exostudio: A New, State-of-the-Art Demo Center Showcasing the Latest Warehouse Automation Technology
The showroom is located in the North American HQ and features the Next Generation of Skypod system, an immersive space, and lecture-hall style room for the new Exoseminar series ATLANTA, June 12, 2025 /CNW/ -- Exotec, a global warehouse robotics provider, today announced the opening of Exostudio inside its North American headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia. The showroom serves as a customer experience center, offering prospective customers a firsthand look at the latest Exotec technology along with virtual access to client sites from across the world. Exostudio is the first permanent demonstration site in North America for the Next Generation of Skypod, launched in February of this year. Exotec's new solution comes with a number of design improvements, including a more compact Skypod robot, a workstation for robot-to-robot picking, a high-throughput Exchanger, and denser storage. These redesigns combined with advanced software features make the solution an all-in-one AS/RS, enabling customers to remove complex subsystems and optimize their entire supply chains. Alongside Exostudio, Exotec is introducing Exoseminars: a quarterly interactive workshop series designed for supply chain executives. Led by industry experts from Exotec and other leading logistics companies, each session offers in-depth insights through real-world case studies, highlighting how top brands are leveraging the latest technology to enhance supply chain performance. Request an invite here. "With the rapid growth we've experienced in the North American market, we needed a showroom that helps customers and prospects understand the operational impact of the Next Generation of Skypod," said Stanislas Normand, Managing Director of Exotec, North America. "Exostudio gives us the ability to showcase not only our cutting-edge hardware, but also the powerful software capabilities that set us apart from other solutions in the market." Since launching the Next Generation of Skypod in stealth three years ago, the company has successfully secured over 20 projects worldwide, totaling more than $400M. In North America specifically, the new solution resonated with large enterprise customers, like Oxford Industries, who are looking to address their omnichannel needs with a single elegant solution. In order to meet the increasing demand for its technology, Exotec intends to grow North American headcount by 66% in 2025, primarily in engineering roles. To learn more about the Next Generation of Skypod or schedule a visit to the Exostudio, click here. Exotec is a global warehouse robotics company powering the world's largest brands. The company combines the best of hardware and software to offer elegant warehouse robotic systems that drive operational efficiency, add resiliency, and improve working conditions for warehouse operators. 50+ industry-leading brands including Gap Inc., Carrefour, Decathlon, and UNIQLO trust Exotec to improve their operations across 150+ sites worldwide.
Metro
11-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Rich people ‘will have robot butlers by 2030′ – but there's a major flaw
We've all had fears about it, right? That one day robots will come in and takeover the world? Well we could be getting that much closer, as one expert has predicted robotic butlers will be a common toy for the super rich by 2030. Right now, humanoids are making great strides (or sometimes, falling over), but are still not quite ready for mass adoption. The chief executive of a company which makes robots used in warehouses across the world says this is about to change, however. Romain Moulin, the founder of Exotec, told Metro that within five years, those with enough money to spare will have robots to wipe their floors and maybe even fold their laundry. It won't be because they are so good at the job, though: 'It's mostly for bragging to your friends,' he said. They will be an expensive novelty at first, and will work for far less time than Jeeves could before taking a break. 'I think the first one we'll see will be like a Roomba,' Romain said. 'It will be sitting in a corner of the room. You will have some friends over and you will tell that humanoid robot, 'Please clean my floor.' 'It will pick up a broom and start cleaning, and then will go back and sit on his chair charging, because he has ten minutes of autonomy. That stuff has high power consumption.' At a push, developments in battery tech might let it keep going for 20 minutes, but ultimately it's not going to last longer than a cordless vacuum. Romain's company makes the Skypod robot, a functional piece of tech serving companies including Gap, Carrefour, Uniqlo and Decathlon. He thinks that when it comes to warehouses, humanoid robots are destined for the scrapheap. 'Nobody has a convincing answer on why you would have legs instead of wheels for an industrial environment,' he said. 'Why would you want legs on a flat concrete floor? You will save half of your robot price by removing them.' Up Next He isn't convinced that humanoid robots are the answer for companies trying to be more efficient. By replicating the shape of a person, they're optimising something 'to run in the bush and pick apples in the trees' because humans were built for prehistoric survival, not packing parcels. But he does admit they are more useful in places where humans tend to be, such as hospitals, restaurants, or houses. Bringing a robot home isn't simple, though, as it's a much less regimented environment. 'Payload, autonomy, and safety are the biggest challenges,' Romain explained. 'If you increase the performance of your robot and you want it to lift heavier things, you are creating more chance to hurt someone.' He said that for a robot to be able to stand and walk around, its legs would have to weigh some 40kg, which is already enough power to do damage. Humanoid robots are becoming more and more high profile, made by companies such as Tesla, which says their Optimus model will be 'capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive or boring'. This robot is expected to cost around $20,000, but Romain guessed that fully functioning humanoid robot capable of doing household tasks independently would be more like $200,000. While we're fascinated by robots that look like us, they are more complicated to programme than a box on wheels. Balancing is a particular issue, and if it goes wrong it can lead to disturbing scenes like this robot 'going berserk' in a Chinese workshop. Romain says this is likely to have been down to its sensors realising it was still not stable, so making bigger and bigger 'crazy' moves to try and fix the problem in a feedback loop. AI has allowed big advancements in robotics, as it is used to power their independent navigation. This is how Evri were able to test out a robotic dog to deliver parcels, and UK farmers have also embraced the tech with robot fruit pickers. You may not interact with them much yet, still, but they could become as commonplace as touchscreens for food orders soon. He said that he is concerned about the changes that are coming to the jobs market, with humanoid robots able to take on most unskilled work within 20 years, and computers just 'working alone' in offices. 'One human then will do the job of five humans now,' he said. Even though Romain works with robots them every day, though, he won't be putting a butler on preorder. 'I prefer human relations,' he said. check our news page.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
You might own a humanoid robot butler in 5 years, but will it be useful? Expert makes bizarre prediction
The promise of robot butlers has long been a staple of science fiction, but according to a robotics expert, the fantasy might be arriving sooner than we think—albeit with a strangely anticlimactic twist. As artificial intelligence evolves at breakneck speed and robotics technology begins to mimic human motion with eerie precision, companies like Tesla are unveiling humanoid robots that can walk, bend, and move with uncanny realism. Elon Musk 's 'Optimus' bot is among the most high-profile of these prototypes, raising eyebrows and expectations alike. But the road from tech demo to domestic help may be far more disappointing than most imagine. From Sci-Fi to Side Show? Romain Moulin , founder of robotics company Exotec , believes that humanoid robot butlers will become commercially available within the next five years—at least for the ultra-rich who can afford them. These high-end machines, he says, will be capable of tasks like sweeping floors or carrying objects. However, there's a catch big enough to short-circuit your excitement. As per a report from Metro , according to Moulin, the robots may only function effectively for about ten minutes at a time before needing to recharge, thanks to their high power consumption and complex mechanics. In his words, these bots might serve more as dinner party novelties than actual household staff. 'It will be sitting in a corner of the room. You will have some friends over and you will tell that humanoid robot, 'Please clean my floor,'' Moulin explained. 'It will pick up a broom and start cleaning, and then go back and sit on its chair charging, because it has ten minutes of autonomy.' You Might Also Like: Have robots learned how to fight, literally? World's first humanoid kickboxing match leaves viewers awestruck and uneasy A Power Problem and a Safety Risk The limitations don't stop at battery life. Moulin warns that the more strength and functionality we pack into these robots, the more dangerous they become. Legs alone on a humanoid robot might weigh over 40 kilograms—more than enough to injure someone if something goes wrong. Add more capacity for lifting or multitasking, and the safety risks escalate dramatically. 'There's a big concern,' Moulin said. 'If you want a robot that can lift heavy things like a human, you're also creating more potential to hurt someone. That's the trade-off nobody's talking about.' Legs vs. Wheels: The Aesthetic Illusion There's also a fierce debate brewing within the robotics community: Should humanoid robots even have legs? Moulin argues that wheels make far more sense in controlled environments like factories, where efficiency matters more than mimicry. Legs, he contends, are only practical in settings dominated by human-centric architecture—homes, hospitals, or restaurants—where steps, narrow doorways, and uneven terrain can trip up wheeled designs. But even in those cases, Moulin is skeptical. The push for bipedal robots is often about visual appeal rather than functionality. 'Legs look cool,' he said, 'but in many environments, they're just a waste of money.' You Might Also Like: AI humanoid robot winks and denies world domination; but can we trust the sweet talk? The Future Is Closer—But Stranger—Than You Think With many companies investing heavily in humanoid robots, it's clear that the race to bring AI-powered helpers into homes is on. But if Moulin's predictions prove true, the first generation of robot butlers might not revolutionize your life—they might simply be the world's most expensive party trick. So yes, your robot butler could arrive within five years. Just don't be surprised if it spends more time plugged into a wall than picking up after you. You Might Also Like: Legendary sci-fi writer's chilling AI prediction resurfaces: 'Robots will turn organic as humans become machines'
CNBC
10-06-2025
- Business
- CNBC
44. Exotec
Founders: Romain Moulin (CEO), Renaud HeitzLaunched: 2015Headquarters: Croix, FranceFunding: $445.7 million (PitchBook)Valuation: $1.9 billion (PitchBook)Key Technologies: RoboticsIndustry: LogisticsPrevious appearances on Disruptor 50 list: 3 (No. 10 in 2024) Amid the AI boom, many industries are struggling to find the right answer to the question of how human workers and robots best work together to increase productivity. However, in warehouses worldwide, that combination is already finding success, with automation being a key to meeting the modern demands of consumers. French robotics company Exotec has been at the forefront of this push, utilizing hardware and software to build warehouse robotic systems that are used by more than 50 brands, including Gap and Uniqlo. The company's signature product is the Skypod, an automated storage and retrieval system that can eliminate picking and packing zones in a warehouse, instead using robots that can bring orders that have been picked, packed and ready to ship directly to human workers. In February, Exotec announced the commercial launch of its latest Skypod system, which it said can increase the throughput of each station by 50% while also enhancing warehouse storage density by upwards of 30%, enabling upgrades in key metrics such as productivity, speed and error reduction, all critical to meeting the needs of shoppers. Exotec robots hit a major milestone in 2024, with the fleet completing over one million container presentations — a robot retrieving a container, which can fulfill up to four orders, and delivering it to a workstation where it can be processed — on a daily basis across the globe. That continued growth and innovation has helped the company expand into new markets like Austria and South Korea, grow its corporate footprint in the U.S. and Germany, and increase its headcount to 1,300 employees with plans to expand that by another 25% in 2025. It's also helping Exotec land new clients. In March, Exotec announced that it would be building its largest and most intricate robotic deployment to date for Oxford Industries, the owner of brands like Tommy Bahama and Lily Pulitzer. The more than 560,000-square-foot Georgia-based distribution center will utilize more than 450 Exotec robots to process more than 20 million units a year through end-to-end warehouse automation.
Metro
08-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Rich people ‘will have robot butlers within five years - with one major flaw'
We've all had fears about it, right? That one day robots will come in and takeover the world? Well we could be getting that much closer, as one expert has predicted robotic butlers will be a common toy for the super rich by 2030. Right now, humanoids are making great strides (or sometimes, falling over), but are still not quite ready for mass adoption. The chief executive of a company which makes robots used in warehouses across the world says this is about to change, however. Romain Moulin, the founder of Exotec, told Metro that within five years, those with enough money to spare will have robots to wipe their floors and maybe even fold their laundry. It won't be because they are so good at the job, though: 'It's mostly for bragging to your friends,' he said. They will be an expensive novelty at first, and will work for far less time than Jeeves could before taking a break. 'I think the first one we'll see will be like a Roomba,' Romain said. 'It will be sitting in a corner of the room. You will have some friends over and you will tell that humanoid robot, 'Please clean my floor.' 'It will pick up a broom and start cleaning, and then will go back and sit on his chair charging, because he has ten minutes of autonomy. That stuff has high power consumption.' At a push, developments in battery tech might let it keep going for 20 minutes, but ultimately it's not going to last longer than a cordless vacuum. Romain's company makes the Skypod robot, a functional piece of tech serving companies including Gap, Carrefour, Uniqlo and Decathlon. He thinks that when it comes to warehouses, humanoid robots are destined for the scrapheap. 'Nobody has a convincing answer on why you would have legs instead of wheels for an industrial environment,' he said. 'Why would you want legs on a flat concrete floor? You will save half of your robot price by removing them.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He isn't convinced that humanoid robots are the answer for companies trying to be more efficient. By replicating the shape of a person, they're optimising something 'to run in the bush and pick apples in the trees' because humans were built for prehistoric survival, not packing parcels. But he does admit they are more useful in places where humans tend to be, such as hospitals, restaurants, or houses. Bringing a robot home isn't simple, though, as it's a much less regimented environment. 'Payload, autonomy, and safety are the biggest challenges,' Romain explained. 'If you increase the performance of your robot and you want it to lift heavier things, you are creating more chance to hurt someone.' He said that for a robot to be able to stand and walk around, its legs would have to weigh some 40kg, which is already enough power to do damage. Do you want a robot housekeeper? Humanoid robots are becoming more and more high profile, made by companies such as Tesla, which says their Optimus model will be 'capable of performing tasks that are unsafe, repetitive or boring'. This robot is expected to cost around $20,000, but Romain guessed that fully functioning humanoid robot capable of doing household tasks independently would be more like $200,000. While we're fascinated by robots that look like us, they are more complicated to programme than a box on wheels. Balancing is a particular issue, and if it goes wrong it can lead to disturbing scenes like this robot 'going berserk' in a Chinese workshop. Romain says this is likely to have been down to its sensors realising it was still not stable, so making bigger and bigger 'crazy' moves to try and fix the problem in a feedback loop. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video AI has allowed big advancements in robotics, as it is used to power their independent navigation. This is how Evri were able to test out a robotic dog to deliver parcels, and UK farmers have also embraced the tech with robot fruit pickers. You may not interact with them much yet, still, but they could become as commonplace as touchscreens for food orders soon. More Trending He said that he is concerned about the changes that are coming to the jobs market, with humanoid robots able to take on most unskilled work within 20 years, and computers just 'working alone' in offices. 'One human then will do the job of five humans now,' he said. Even though Romain works with robots them every day, though, he won't be putting a butler on preorder. 'I prefer human relations,' he said. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Why so many young Brits are being 'manipulated' into smuggling drugs MORE: 9 best BBQs and pizza ovens from Dunelm ideal for this bank holiday weekend MORE: Uber says it's ready to put robotaxis on UK roads by 2027
