Vecna Robotics debuts AI software

At a media briefing on Wednesday morning, material handling company Vecna Robotics, a maker of autonomous tuggers, pallet jacks, and conveyors, introduced Pivot.al, an artificial intelligence (AI) multi-agent orchestration engine that's designed to coordinate the work of fleets of autonomous vehicles with workers and other automation in a facility.

Pivot.al evaluates all the work that needs to be done each day and allocates tasks among the diverse types of agents (robots, human workers, and other equipment). Vecna's self-driving vehicles collect data, analyze their surroundings, and react to obstacles or any unforeseen events. Once one vehicle learns the map and layout of a facility, any subsequent Vecna units added will automatically learn from the first machine. Pivot.al provides data-driven insights at a fleet and workflow level, creating a continuous improvement cycle over time.

The software program integrates with existing legacy automation, piece-picking robots, user interfaces, warehouse management systems, and manufacturing execution systems, allowing for information sharing across people, robots, and associated systems and ensuring transparency across an entire organization.

"With Pivot.al, we've developed a system that enables humans and robots to work together in the most efficient way possible," said Dan Patt, CEO of Vecna Robotics, in a statement. "Pivot.al understands your operation and the inherent strengths of different robots and humans. It analyzes your current process state and oversees task assignments based on accessibility, location, and the ability of resources, ensuring every player on the team is optimally contributing in real time."