![]() Katz said NFI plans to deploy forklifts in its own operation that would be operated remotely at all times. "The labor shortage that they were dealing in warehouse operations was pre-pandemic.” “All the customers we are talking to are growing," Newcity said. The pandemic accelerated interest in such technology by raising health concerns about working indoors, and shrinking the pool of people willing to work in warehouses and factories, he said.ĪrcBest Chief Innovation Officer Michael Newcity, who will join Phantom's board, told Reuters the trucking and logistics company is talking to customers in the automotive and retail sectors about deploying forklifts using Phantom's remote operation system. Remote operation technology "decouples labor from location," said Phantom co-founder Elliot Katz. Phantom Auto began life focused on developing systems to remotely operate driverless robo-taxis but has shifted focus to industrial automation. The technology could allow one operator to pilot multiple forklifts in different locations, and the remote systems can also back up vehicles designed to operate autonomously.ĪrcBest and Phantom said they intend to work together to sell autonomous forklifts with remote operation capability. Phantom and ArcBest have been jointly developing forklifts that can move goods around warehouses and factories by themselves or while being operated by a driver sitting miles from the job site. Investment in industrial automation has surged during the pandemic, according to data from the Association for Advanced Automation. ArcBest and NFI said in a statement on Wednesday they will also join a $42 million investment round in Phantom. Startup Phantom Auto, which makes the remote-control forklifts, will get a double benefit from the supply chain sector's accelerating investments in automation. logistics companies ArcBest (ARCB.O) and NFI Industries plan to deploy thousands of forklifts that can be operated remotely. ![]() DETROIT, Jan 19 (Reuters) - With labor shortages straining the supply chain, big U.S.
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