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Takeoff Technologies partners with U.S.-based Hispanic grocer to launch robotic supermarket

Sedano's Supermakets will soon be able to fulfill orders with AI robots.

Takeoff Technologies, an e-grocery solution provider, announced today the launch of the first automated hyperlocal fulfillment center, in partnership with one of the largest Hispanic grocers in the U.S., Sedano's Supermarkets.

This technology is expected to be introduced in the upcoming month. Customer orders will be placed via an online app and carried out by Takeoff's automated micro-fulfillment center, with the support of Sedano's employees. Robots enabled with artificial intelligence (AI) assemble full supermarket orders of up to 60 items in just a few minutes and are designed to reduce the speed and cost of current manual picking options.


Takeoff's first hyperlocal micro-fulfillment center will serve 14 Sedano's Supermarkets locations throughout Miami and offer consumers pickup services.

"This model gives us the ability to leap into the e-grocery industry, develop a new level of employment opportunities, and continue meeting the needs of our valued consumers by offering an affordable and convenient online service," said Javier Herran, Sedano's chief marketing officer, in a prepared statement.

Takeoff's objective is to develop hyperlocal fulfillment centers that have one-eighth the footprint of a typical supermarket by utilizing robotics and compact vertical spaces. Takeoff is currently working with five regional and national retail chains in the U.S. and has several sites in development to deploy in 2019.

As Takeoff continues to grow, James McCann, former CEO of Ahold USA, is joining as a member of the Takeoff Advisory Board and as an investor. Additionally, the company has closed its Series B financing led by Forrestal Capital, taking the total capital raised to $46M.

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Logistics gives back: February 2025

Here's our monthly roundup of some of the charitable works and donations by companies in the material handling and logistics space.

  • For the sixth consecutive year, dedicated contract carriage and freight management services provider Transervice Logistics Inc. collected books, CDs, DVDs, and magazines for Book Fairies, a nonprofit book donation organization in the New York Tri-State area. Transervice employees broke their own in-house record last year by donating 13 boxes of print and video assets to children in under-resourced communities on Long Island and the five boroughs of New York City.
  • Logistics real estate investment and development firm Dermody Properties has recognized eight community organizations in markets where it operates with its 2024 Annual Thanksgiving Capstone awards. The organizations, which included food banks and disaster relief agencies, received a combined $85,000 in awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.
  • Prime Inc. truck driver Dee Sova has donated $5,000 to Harmony House, an organization that provides shelter and support services to domestic violence survivors in Springfield, Missouri. The donation follows Sova's selection as the 2024 recipient of the Trucking Cares Foundation's John Lex Premier Achievement Award, which was accompanied by a $5,000 check to be given in her name to a charity of her choice.
  • Employees of dedicated contract carrier Lily Transportation donated dog food and supplies to a local animal shelter at a holiday event held at the company's Fort Worth, Texas, location. The event, which benefited City of Saginaw (Texas) Animal Services, was coordinated by "Lily Paws," a dedicated committee within Lily Transportation that focuses on improving the lives of shelter dogs nationwide.
  • Freight transportation conglomerate Averitt has continued its support of military service members by participating in the "10,000 for the Troops" card collection program organized by radio station New Country 96.3 KSCS in Dallas/Fort Worth. In 2024, Averitt associates collected and shipped more than 18,000 holiday cards to troops overseas. Contributions included cards from 17 different Averitt facilities, primarily in Texas, along with 4,000 cards from the company's corporate office in Cookeville, Tennessee.