# Trends in warehouse automation

- Show: [The Robot Report Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast)
- Published: 2023-08-10
- Length: 52m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation
- Listen: https://soundcloud.com/robot-report-podcast/trends-in-warehouse-automation

## Summary

Kevin Lawton, founder of The New Warehouse Podcast, discusses the evolution of warehouse automation, highlighting the shift from large-scale enterprise solutions to accessible models for small and medium-sized businesses. He details the strategic acquisition of Six River Systems by Ocado, noting the drastic price drop from Shopify's original purchase, and explains how this consolidates a full automation infrastructure. Lawton also shares his own venture into operating a fulfillment service center in Philadelphia and New Jersey, using it as a practical laboratory to demonstrate and test emerging robotics technologies for his audience.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=8) Introduction and Event Announcements
- [7:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=449) Kevin Lawton's Background and Career Path
- [14:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=876) Warehousing Challenges and Safety Priorities
- [27:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=1660) Autonomous Forklifts and Safety Systems
- [31:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=1875) Automation Spectrum and System Infrastructure
- [37:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=2267) Six River Systems Acquisition by Ocado
- [44:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation#t=2699) Lawton's Fulfillment Center and Content Lab

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Sustainability & circular products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sustainability-and-circularity)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- The New Warehouse Podcast (other)
- Six River Systems (company)
- Ocado (company)
- Shopify (company)
- Locust Robotics (company)
- AutoStore (company)
- SVT Robotics (company)
- Waypoint (company)
- Agility Robotics (company)
- Apptronik (company)
- Sanctuary AI (company)
- John Deere (company)
- Intuitive Surgical (company)
- Skyline Robotics (company)
- Badger Robotics (company)
- McCoys (company)
- Waymo (company)
- Vechner Robotics (company)
- Experior Global (company)
- Flexport (company)
- Wally (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [282: Inside a Warehouse Automation Project: How Sumitomo Drive Technologies Is Transforming Logistics and Reshoring Operations](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-04-07-282-inside-a-warehouse-automation-project-how-sumitomo-drive-technologies-is-tra) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [162 - LIVE at PackExpo 2022 with Steve Larsen, VP at Packsize](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/people-of-packaging/2022-10-26-162-live-at-packexpo-2022-with-steve-larsen-vp-at-packsize) (People of Packaging)
- [BONUS: The Future of Intralogistics featuring Siemens' Joel Thomas and Markus Thiel](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2026-08-04-bonus-the-future-of-intralogistics-featuring-siemens-joel-thomas-and-markus-thie) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [238: Scaling Smart: Warehouse Automation and Calculated Growth at Startups with Adi Dalvi, VP of Sales at OSARO](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-05-27-238-scaling-smart-warehouse-automation-and-calculated-growth-at-startups-with-ad) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)
- [BONUS: Leaders in Machine Vision and Robotics: Live from Boston, Pt. 2 of 2 (brought to you by A3)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2022-12-23-bonus-leaders-in-machine-vision-and-robotics-live-from-boston-pt-2-of-2-brought) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-08-10-trends-in-warehouse-automation. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to The Robot Report Podcast.