Robotics, e-retail, logistics

Kiva Robots Deliver Diapers

Wade Roush 9/17/08

It may still be a while before robots can actually change diapers, but at least they can help move them around inside warehouses. That’s the word today from Kiva Systems, the Woburn, MA-based maker of “automated fulfillment systems”—i.e. fleets of squat orange robots designed to move shelves to human order pickers, rather than forcing workers to endlessly walk warehouse aisles. Online retailer Diapers.com plans to install Kiva systems at all three of its distribution centers, where they will “store, move and sort a variety of baby products, including diapers, wipes, formula, bottles and clothes,” according to a statement from Kiva.