automation

Contoro Robotics raises $12M to scale AI-powered trailer unloading

Contoro Robotics announced Tuesday it has raised $12 million in a Series A funding round to scale its AI-powered trailer- and container-unloading robots.

According to a news release emailed to FreightWaves from the Austin, Texas-based automation technology company, Contoro’s robots use customer-specific AI models to ensure 99% success rates in unloading operations.

“Unloading trailers is one of the most physically demanding jobs in the warehouse, yet it remains largely manual,” said Mok Yun, CEO...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/contoro-robotics-raises-12m-to-scale-ai-powered-trailer-unloading

New American Industrial Alliance grows as tariffs boost domestic manufacturing

As market analysts continue to gauge the impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, some domestic manufacturers are banding together to revitalize America’s manufacturing sector.

Formic, a robots-as-a-service automation provider for U.S. manufacturers, has joined the New American Industrial Alliance (NAIA) to grow accessible automation and workforce training initiatives in the U.S.

The company told FreightWaves in an email that the decision comes in the face of rising tariffs as more and more...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-american-industrial-alliance-grows-as-tariffs-boost-domestic-manufacturing

Formic democratizing rental robotics amid industry growth concerns

Installing and maintaining robotics for a company’s automation needs may not be affordable for everyone, but what if there were a service to help narrow that cost-benefit gap?

While industry analysts forecast a dip in the growth of the mobile robot market through 2027, automation still appears to be breaking new ground. Last week, Washington-based industrial automation company Lab0 launched the first industrial humanoid-inspired system designed to fully automate inbound warehouse operations.

And...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/formic-democratizing-rental-robotics-amid-industry-growth-concerns

Lab0: Robotics system first to fully automate inbound warehouse ops

Ridgefield, Washington, industrial automation company Lab0 announced on Tuesday morning the launch of the first industrial humanoid-inspired system designed to fully automate inbound warehouse operations.

According to a news release emailed to FreightWaves, Lab0 has emerged after two years of secret development on the RoboGlide system to integrate multiple stages of warehouse logistics. RoboGlide is a flexible and modular system that can unload shipping containers, identify products, detect...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/lab0-robotics-system-first-to-fully-automate-inbound-warehouse-ops

Upwell secures $6.5M to automate logistics billing practices

Payment automation platform Upwell announced Monday it has secured a $6.5 million seed funding round led by Vertical Venture Partners with participation from Plug and Play Ventures, Black Dog Ventures, Neverlift Ventures, Automotive Ventures, and previous investors NVP, SaaS Ventures, Rise of the Rest, Invest Nebraska and Motivate Ventures. The company has raised $10 million since 2023.

“Our mission at Upwell is to modernize and simplify financial operations for logistics companies,

an industry...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/upwell-secures-6-5m-to-automate-logistics-billing-practices

Upwell asegura $ 6.5 millones para automatizar las prácticas de facturación de logística

La plataforma de automatización de pagos Upwell anunció el lunes que ha asegurado una ronda de fondos semillas de $ 6.5 millones dirigida por vertical Venture Partners con la participación de Plug and Play Ventures, Black Dog Ventures, NeverLift Ventures, Automotive Ventures e Investores anteriores...

https://fullavantenews.com/upwell-asegura-6-5-millones-para-automatizar-las-practicas-de-facturacion-de-logistica/?lang=es

Freight Hero exits stealth mode with backing from Dynamo and AI Fund

Automation startup Freight Hero launched Monday with backing from both logistics and technology experts looking to address long-standing challenges of traditional brokerage models.

Dynamo Ventures, co-founded by freight brokerage expert Ted Alling and other industry leaders, has partnered with artificial intelligence thought leader Andrew Ng’s AI Fund to work toward correctly balancing the human and technology interactions that power transportation providers.

“We believe Freight Hero’s model is...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/freighthero-exits-stealth-mode-with-backing-from-dynamo-and-ai-fund

How automation is solving logistics’ biggest problems in 2025

As the logistics industry prepares for a more positive 2025, the potential for automation — utilizing machine learning and AI — to impact operations has never been more significant. 

From optimizing electric vehicle fleets to mitigating fraud and automating nonrevenue tasks, automation is positioned to address some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Here’s a look at the key areas where automation could drive change in logistics this year.

Managing supplier relations

The complexity of...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-automation-is-solving-logistics-biggest-problems-in-2025

Automation leader says reshoring ‘a matter of national security’

In the latest episode of the Bring it Home podcast, Brian McMorris, founder and president of Futura Automation, said he sees robotics and investments in automation playing a role in reshoring decisions.

Bring It Home celebrates the North American manufacturing renaissance, reindustrialization and reshoring taking place across the continent. Its co-hosts are Craig Fuller, founder and CEO of Firecrown Media, and JP Hampstead, strategic analyst at Firecrown.

Meet McMorris

McMorris, whose company...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/automation-leader-says-reshoring-a-matter-of-national-security

Labor strife, tariffs to shadow ocean shipping in 2025

Ocean shippers can’t be blamed for feeling a little seasick. Port strikes, trade concerns, changing carrier alliances and geopolitics will continue to roil maritime transportation in 2025.

Red Sea

The attacks on Red Sea shipping by Yemen-based Houthi rebels that all but shut down the Suez Canal to major carriers and reshaped global supply chains have shown signs of abating. The attention of Iran, the Houthis’ main sponsor, has been distracted by serious domestic issues and Russia, which was...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/labor-strife-tariffs-to-shadow-ocean-shipping-in-2025

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