Mountain View, California-based Fulfil Solutions has unveiled a fully automated platform to revolutionize online grocery, making it profitable and socially responsible.
Unlike other automation being tested in the grocery industry, Fulfil’s robots do the picking and packing across all product categories and temperature states. As it emerged from stealth, the robotics startup also announced that it recently closed a $60 million Series B round of funding led by Eclipse with participation from Khosla Ventures and DCVC.
“To address the many challenges facing online grocery, retailers must adopt efficient automation that substantially reduces costs and provides the accuracy, quality and convenience customers expect,” said Fulfil CEO and President Mir Aamir.
“That’s why our fully automated solution represents such a revolutionary step forward. Not only does it make online grocery retailing profitable while meeting customer expectations, but it also prioritizes social and environmental responsibility by cutting carbon emissions, eliminating food waste and enabling healthier food to reach more households at lower cost.”
Fulfil opened its first automated dark store, or micro-fulfillment warehouse, a few months ago in the San Francisco Bay Area city of Mountain View, in partnership with The Save Mart Companies, to power a same-day grocery delivery and pick-up service called Lucky Now. Within minutes of receiving an order, Fulfil’s robots pick all categories of groceries, including refrigerated and frozen goods. The robots bring packed grocery bags to a waiting area where drivers collect them.
To see a video of the robots in action at the Mountain View facility, visit fulfil.com/technology.
Fulfil’s differentiated platform leverages advanced AI, machine learning and optical and sensor technologies to enable inventory management and quality control. Within the warehouse, Fulfil’s proprietary dispense stations handle any grocery item with computer-vision precision and sensor fusion algorithms confirm that every item is packed.
Fulfil’s mobile robots split and sequence items to prevent damage and minimize pack time, while dispense stations redistribute inventory to balance load. A database tracks every item’s location, origin and expiration for a new level of real-time inventory management that enables perfect order accuracy and minimizes waste.
“The Save Mart Companies is thrilled to embrace innovative technologies that help deliver on-demand groceries to our customers on their own terms,” said Shane Sampson, executive chairman of the board, The Save Mart Companies.
“With Lucky Now, powered by Fulfil’s robotic automation, we are excited to offer the best value on local and fresh products that our shoppers have come to know and trust.”
