E-commerce robotics developer Osaro plans to deploy three of its Robotic Bagging Systems to automate the online eyewear retailer Zenni’s order-fulfillment center in Novato, California, in what Osaro says is the first time a robot and an automated mechanical-bagging system will be tasked with ensuring specific orders make it into the correct bags for shipment.

The piece-picking task is unique, given the importance of getting the right prescription eyeglasses to the correct customers, Osaro says.

“The stakes are high here: Special-order, high-value items that must be bagged and labeled correctly to ensure they are sent to the right customer,” Osaro CEO Derik Pridmore said. “Our extensive experience in other e-commerce production environments, coupled with our machine-learning capabilities, enables our robotic bagging system to meet customer production targets and to deploy workers onto more important tasks.”

The pick-and-place robot’s capabilities will be tested due to the complexity of the tasks, which demand visual acuity, precision and dexterity, Osaro says. Zenni uses a team of workers capable of handling 10 orders per minute, so high-speed accuracy is critical to getting the orders right. 

Looking ahead, robots are likely to face increasingly complex e-commerce use cases like these, given the current levels of labor turnover and staff shortages in the sector and the broader economy in general.

“With a mountain of online orders and a persistent shortage of labor, we looked to Osaro to take us to the leading edge of technology to be sure our customers receive fast and accurate processing,” said Simon Goh, director of distribution and facilities at Zenni. The company has sold more than 45 million pairs of eyeglasses over the last 19 years at prices beginning at $6.95 per pair and averaging just over $40.

Automated-bagging equipment manufacturer Pregis is partnering with Osaro on the fulfillment project.