The International Federation of Robotics is promoting women in robotics, giving them more visibility and acknowledgement in order to inspire young women to pursue a career in STEM subjects or robotics and help companies to reach gender equality and overcome a shortage of staff. Supporting the closing of the gender gap is one of the heartfelt activities of the IFR. In times of demographic change and an increasing lack of a skilled workforce, economies around the globe cannot ignore a certain share of it. Moreover, it also proves beneficial for companies to increase diversity in their teams to improve productivity, competitiveness and innovation.
This article was first published in the April 1st 2026 issue of Warehouse & Logistics News, subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.
Warehouses lack the agility necessary to respond to unplanned disruptions and are paying a high cost as a result, according to market study insights from Lucas Systems, a distribution centre technology company providing software to workers in more than 400 warehouses worldwide. In the study, more than half (51%) of U.S. supply chain executives said their automation systems are unprepared to deal with unforeseen changes, new requirements and disruptions that are happening. And warehouses haven’t done what it takes to be adaptable as 77% of respondents admit that at least half of their hardware or software systems are too rigid to meet the need for responding to unplanned disruptions.
Hai Robotics has announced an upgraded version of its HaiPick Climb automated storage and picking system, enhancing throughput performance, storage density, and workflow flexibility while maintaining the simplicity and reliability of its proven system architecture. Built on the existing HaiPick Climb platform, the upgrade reflects real-world feedback from customers and partners and addresses evolving operational demands across warehouse environments. The upgraded system leverages agile robots and intelligent orchestration to deliver totes to picking stations in under two minutes, enabling up to 4,000 deliveries per hour.
dm-drogerie markt is expanding its logistics location in Wustermark near Berlin, Germany, relying on the intralogistics expertise of TGW Logistics. At goods receiving, delivered items will first be sorted and then stored in a highly automated shuttle system with 190,000 storage locations. As soon as orders come in from the dm markets, the system will retrieve the totes and then 30 RovoFlex robots will load the pocket sorter fully automatically. After sequencing, the market orders will continue to the dispatch area and be allocated to the various truck routes.
Logistics automation provider, KNAPP has developed an artificial intelligence platform that doesn’t simply run processes but anticipates them. Launched at the recent LogiMAT exhibition in Stuttgart, the KNAPP Brain software is the first of its kind to combine several different AI-powered software solutions – all owned by KNAPP – under one, unified platform. KNAPP Brain offers solutions for the entire value chain, reducing complexity and boosting efficiency from forecasting to the last mile.
Let’s hope more women pursue a career in robotics, helping companies achieve gender equality and overcoming staff shortages.
George Simpson
Features Editor
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