We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • ::COVID-19 COVERAGE::
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC.
    • Podcast
    • Blogs
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Best Practices
      • Dispatches
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Logistics Problem Solving
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Public Sector Logistics
      • Two Sides of the Logistics Coin
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • MODEX 2020
    • Upload Your Video
Home » 6 River Systems lands $6 million funding to develop warehouse fulfillment robot
newsworthy

6 River Systems lands $6 million funding to develop warehouse fulfillment robot

March 30, 2016
Ben Ames
No Comments

6 River Systems Inc., a developer of warehouse fulfillment robots cofounded by former executives of Kiva Systems LLC, announced Tuesday it has raised $6 million in financing from a group including iRobot Corp.

Boston-based 6 River Systems was founded in 2015 by executives from classroom technology provider Mimio and from Kiva Systems, the North Reading, Mass. firm that was acquired by Amazon.com Inc. in 2012 for $775 million after helping to pioneer the use of self-driving robots in warehouses.

Amazon has since rebranded Kiva as Amazon Robotics and ceased selling its products to any other companies, giving the e-commerce giant an advantage over its rivals in performing e-commerce fulfillment.

6 River Systems is now targeting that same application, with a mission to "redefine fulfillment automation for e-commerce and retail operations," the company website says. 6 River Systems plans to use the new funding to expand its engineering team and to support customer pilot programs now in progress.

"The acquisition of Kiva left a void in this space that has yet to be filled," Seth Winterroth of the early-stage venture fund Eclipse Ventures LLC, which joined iRobot in raising the investment, said in a statement. "This, coupled with rapid growth in e-commerce globally, has resulted in a need for next-gen automation tools."

By entering this market, 6 River Systems is joining a number of other robotics startups that are also aiming to follow Kiva's footsteps into the autonomous material handling systems business. Last week, the Canadian firm Clearpath Robotics Inc. rolled out a miniaturized model of its self-driving vehicle used in factories and warehouses. Other entries include Locus Robotics Corp. of Andover, Mass. and Harvest Automation Inc. of Billerica, Mass.

Despite only broad similarities to Kiva's approach of using robotic systems to automate fulfillment centers and cut labor costs, this new generation of companies may still face legal challenges in bringing their products to market.

Earlier this month, Harvest Automation pulled back on its plans to launch a robotic platform for shuttling merchandise around e-commerce warehouses, saying it lacked the marketing resources to break into the warehouse automation business. Instead, the company will continue to develop its sales in agricultural robotics applications such as plant nurseries, Harvest cofounder and CEO Charlie Grinnell told the Boston Globe.

In addition, some potential investors had concerns Amazon might sue for violating the patent portfolio it gained in the Kiva acquisition, but Grinnell called that scenario a red herring.

"We performed extensive IP freedom-to-operate research and always were able to convince investors that we were fine," Grinnell said in an email. "Our system is completely different from Kiva, so there really is no overlap once you look at the details."

Editor's note, March 31, 2016: This story has been modified from a previous version; the final two paragraphs were added.

Material Handling Ergonomic & Assist Equipment
KEYWORDS 6 River Systems Amazon Robotics Clearpath Robotics Eclipse Ventures Harvest Automation Kiva Systems Locus Robotics
  • Related Articles

    6 River Systems announces $25 million funding for warehouse robots

    6 River Systems rolls out mobile warehouse robot

    6 River Systems raises $15 million for e-commerce fulfillment robots

Benames
Ben Ames has spent 20 years as a journalist since starting out as a daily newspaper reporter in Pennsylvania in 1995. From 1999 forward, he has focused on business and technology reporting for a number of trade journals, beginning when he joined Design News and Modern Materials Handling magazines. Ames is author of the trail guide "Hiking Massachusetts" and is a graduate of the Columbia School of Journalism.

Recent Articles by Ben Ames

Walmart launches plan to build micro-DCs inside dozens of retail stores

UPS sells off its LTL and truckload arm for $800 million

Biden Administration names Oberman to chair Surface Transportation Board

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Cold chain giant Lineage Logistics buys its own rail operator

  • Biden names dozens of senior leaders to DOT, including FMCSA and FRA

  • Outlook 2021: What’s in store for logistics supply chain?

  • Cushman & Wakefield Brokers Sale of 170 Acres plus Lease for 1MSF Build-to-Suit for Home Improvement Retailer in Commerce City, CO.

  • Thriving in the long haul: interview with Colin Yankee

Now Playing on DCV-TV

Sick agv demo thumbnail

Optimize Load Handling Tasks with Industrial Mobile Robots

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
Intelligent sensors detect the presence of goods, check for empty shelves, or the correct alignment on the mobile platform towards the freight. The solutions range from simple detection sensors, thorough measuring devices, and 2D LiDAR sensors.

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Proven Benefits: A Compendium of Slotting Optimization Success Snapshots

  • Bridging Information Gaps in Dock and Yard Operations

  • How Intelligent Sensor Solutions Turn Data Into Action

  • Order picking Solutions: Understanding Your Options

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2021. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing