MHI Industry Group Series: TRG on the Robotics Boom Reshaping Warehousing

Written by Mike Huff on April 15, 2025. Posted in robotics.

This special episode, part of the MHI Industry Group Series on The New Warehouse Podcast, offers an in-depth look at The Robotics Group (TRG) and its impact on the evolving warehouse automation landscape. Joining Kevin are Kevin Heath, Director of Robotics at Dematic, and Jim Skelding, VP of Sales and Marketing at Motion Controls, both actively involved in TRG. They discuss the state of the robotics market, challenges in adoption, and how automation shapes the future of supply chain operations. TRG brings industry leaders together to drive innovation, collaboration, and standardization.

TRG: Fostering Collaboration in Robotics Innovation

The Robotics Group addresses the growing demand for advanced automation technologies in warehousing. As robotics adoption accelerates, TRG provides a space where industry leaders can collaborate, share insights, and navigate the complexities of implementation.

Heath states, “One of the big advantages of TRG is bringing the member companies and the individual contributors together into a safe space where people take the logos off their shirt and just have technology-level discussions.”

This environment fosters unbiased collaboration, helping companies develop solutions that benefit the industry as a whole. For instance, TRG facilitates events, marketing initiatives, and technical discussions that push the boundaries of what’s possible in warehouse automation.

The Robotics Market: Trends, Challenges, and Adoption

Despite fluctuations in manufacturing and supply chain dynamics, the robotics sector continues to grow. While there was a slowdown in early 2024, the market is rebounding, with strong demand in industries such as food and beverage, consumer goods, and pharmaceuticals.

Skelding explains, “The quoting and the release of funds is on a pretty steep incline. We’re seeing tremendous activity in food and beverage, consumer goods, construction materials, and some pharma and medical as well.”

Adoption trends are also shifting. Consequently, companies are moving from trial phases to full-scale implementation, with an increasing focus on flexible automation solutions.

Heath states, “Customers are transitioning from trial stages. They’ve tried this technology, they understand it, now they’re ready to put in five cells, 10 cells, 20 cells.”

The shift toward mobile robotics, replacing traditional conveyors with Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), is also gaining traction. Businesses recognize that modular and portable robotic solutions allow faster deployment and scalability, improving overall efficiency and adaptability.

The Future of Robotics: What’s Next in Automation?

As automation becomes more widespread, two significant advancements are shaping the next phase: improved gripping technology and enhanced artificial intelligence in robotics. For instance, traditional vacuum grippers are effective but have limitations. Hence, the push toward more dexterous robotic hands will enable broader applications in warehousing and manufacturing.

Kevin Heath states, “We’ve reached the ceiling from a vision perspective, but the hand is one of the key pieces. Getting a well-designed, industrial-ready hand that connects to the brain of the robot is going to be a key unlock.”

Additionally, programming complexity is decreasing, making robotics more accessible. Companies are even beginning to self-integrate robotics into their operations.

Jim Skelding explains, “We get calls all the time—‘Hey, we’ve got this robot here and we can’t make it work.’”

This situation underscores the need for expert guidance in robotic implementation to ensure long-term success. Looking ahead, AI-driven vision systems and quick-deploy modular robotics will shape warehouse automation.

Key Takeaways from TRG

TRG fosters collaboration among robotics leaders, creating a space for innovation and shared problem-solving.
The robotics market is rebounding, with strong demand in food, beverage, pharma, and consumer goods.
Companies are transitioning from trial phases to full-scale adoption, with modular and mobile solutions leading the way.
Advanced gripping technology is the next major challenge, enabling robots to handle various tasks.
Self-integration is increasing, but expert support remains crucial for successful deployment and scalability.

Listen to the episode and leave your thoughts in the comments.