We’re in the midst of a holiday shopping season after nearly two years of elevated e-commerce demand, persistent labor and supply chain problems, and widening adoption of automation. If there was a one-size-fits-all solution to logistics challenges, it would already be in use.

But robotics suppliers do now have proven systems for materials handling in numerous environments. According to ABI Research, warehouses are starting to bring in mobile robots in larger numbers. Collaborative robot arms or cobots can work alongside human staffers and are also becoming more widespread.

After years of development, we’re also starting to see more robust picking and last-mile delivery systems. As you consider scaling your robotics fleet or just getting started, remember that the software and management around robots, as well as your own processes, are also important.

In this Special Focus Issue, we look at how asset management, artificial intelligence, and financing options can help companies of various sizes. In addition, we examine the difference between mico-fulfillment and hyperlocal fulfillment, two buzzworthy phrases in groceries and e-commerce, but not limited to those sectors.