"Geek+ helps industries transform in the age of intelligence."
Interview with Julián Villalobos, Head of Sales for Spain and Portugal:
This is an interview published in Novologistca on March 8
Q: Geek+ has become number 1 in the AMR Market; seeing tremendous growth since 2015. However, I'm curious to know if you're satisfied with Geek+'s expansion into Spain.
Julian: Geek+ is fully active, being number 1 in the AMR Market for 3 consecutive years. Thanks to the fact that we are a global company of reference for intelligent logistics. We have been offering our solutions in the market since 2015, and for the Spanish market, we have sales groups, Key Accounts managers, and marketing colleagues. Spain is one of the world's leading markets, and together with our partners, we work every day to be more flexible, adaptable, and efficient in its warehouses and factories.
Q: What perspective of development in Spain do you have for this year 2022?
Julian: We consider consolidating our leading position in the market by reaching more than 1,000 AMRs implemented in different solutions with clients that cover Ecommerce, Logistics, Retail, and Fashion.
Q: Have you noticed an increase in orders in your robotic solutions due to the rise of eCommerce in retail? Is the traditional logistics system being transformed by intelligent solutions?
Julian: As a result of the pandemic, there has been a boom in the e-commerce sector throughout the world. This means that we must be there for the possible solutions we could provide to our clients. AMR solutions are more flexible and adaptable than traditional ones. and in times of high demand, such as Black Friday, our robots can adapt to work with a high volume of orders.
Q: AMRs have navigation and location systems implemented to perceive and control the entire warehouse environment. What are the main advantages of these systems?
Julian: Our robots make use of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence technologies that involve bringing together three parts to create an intelligent robot and be able to control where they are in the warehouse at all times:
1. The hardware: the casing of the robot and its mechanical operation
2. The software: the computer system that allows the robot to operate and perform tasks.
3. The AI: Our software and hardware are powered by artificial intelligence algorithms written by our R&D department. This allows the robot to be intelligent in making its own decisions.
Our AI technology is based on data: the more information we collect, the more accurate our algorithms will be, which will improve the robot's intelligence and provide us with new data.
Q: What are the main functions these specialized picking robots bring to the market?
Julian: Picking robots are our most demanded solution. In warehouses, picking robots can bring the shelves directly to the worker, instead of the worker going to the shelves; this is called "merchandise to person" picking, which replaces the traditional "person to merchandise" picking, which requires more time. The picking robot generates greater security in the warehouse since it involves loading shelves with many materials inside and intelligently bringing them closer to the corresponding person.
Q: In what kind of scenarios can these picking systems be used?
Julian: Geek+ helps industries transform in the age of intelligence. Geek+ solutions are adapted to industrial scenarios. The company has carried out projects in a wide range of sectors: clothing, e-commerce, retail, logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceutical. Thus, all our solutions, including picking, are adapted to the situation that the industry and the client require. Geek+ is a great opportunity to apply researched and analyzed technology to create change in the industry innovate with products that solve specific problems for companies.
Q: One of the most exciting and impressive robots available for case-to-person picking is the RoboShuttle ™. Can you tell us about its main features and what makes it so attractive?
Julian: Geek+ RoboShuttle (RS) is the world's first extended depth material handling robot. The RS8 operates in narrow aisles, and its extended arms reach new storage depths, saving up to 50% of warehouse space and significantly reducing warehouse rental costs. The robot also reaches new heights, covering storage from 0.215 meters to 8 meters. The RS8 can effectively reduce cost pressure by utilizing warehouse space and improving warehouse efficiency. Additionally, the robot uses the Geek+ intelligent system, with AI algorithms encompassing order analysis and robot programming to make overall warehouse operations more flexible, scalable, and efficient. Compared to previous models on the market, they offer a service called RaaS or robot as a service, a product developed with robots and artificial intelligence algorithms from Geek+, providing a great increase in operational capacity within the supply chain.
Q: What additional value does Geek+ provide compared to competitors?
Julian: With this innovative "RaaS" business model, Geek+ operates more than 200,000 square meters of smart warehouses and has built a shared network of thousands of robots. This shared robot service model helps customers reduce initial investment and lower barriers to market entry while improving efficiency and lowering overall operating costs. It makes robots accessible and affordable for businesses of all sizes. Geek+ will continue to expand its network of robotic services to help customers build reliable and efficient warehousing logistics capabilities in a very short time, respond quickly to market demand, and seize business opportunities.
Q: The global supply crisis caused by the stoppage suffered due to the pandemic has affected production in many companies. Has team production in Geek+ been affected because of this?
Julian: At Geek+, we have top-tier suppliers, and our production is guaranteed by being close to the production of raw materials and excellent planning.
Q: Do you have any product launches planned for 2022 in the Spanish market?
Julian: We have developed several systems that protect workers by automating large warehouse sections, essentially eliminating the need for walking, lifting, bending, climbing, and other activities that cause injuries. One of the solutions we have developed that will be increasingly present in warehouse operations this year is PopPick. PopPick represents the future of warehouse management, with fleets of autonomous robots that pick goods from storage racks and deliver them to warehouse staff at a central picking station. The solution can handle 650 containers per hour per station and can be connected to a pallet shuttle to enable super-dense storage called "channel storage ."The PopPick Workstation, Built-in turn with integrated robotics, uses its robotic arms to deliver the merchandise to the operator at the height and in the most suitable position. This increases efficiency and accuracy and creates a more ergonomic work environment.
