Headquartered at Port San Antonio since 2018, industry pioneer Plus One Robotics continues to connect its innovative products with key industry sectors across the nation and around the world. The company’s technology, which integrates network connectivity, visual sensors and artificial intelligence in industrial robots, is increasing worker safety and operational efficiencies in dynamic environments such as manufacturing and e-commerce operations.

The company just announced it is partnering with global shipping giant FedEx and Yaskawa on a cutting edge robotic technology solution that will make the repetitive process of sorting small packages and letters — which is increasing at an exponential rate due to the growth of e-commerce — more efficient.

The three firms are streamlining the transport of packages from a collection bin to a conveyor belt to be scanned and inducted into the sort. FedEx has already installed four fully-operational robotic arms to streamline processing at its Memphis Hub.

Having the robot complete these repetitive tasks allows team members to focus on higher value and more productive work, such as supervision and robotics operations.

According to FedEx Regional President of the Americas and VP of Global Support Richard W. Smith, the robotic arms cover the amount of work typically performed by three human staffers.

“We see automation as an opportunity to enhance our team members’ jobs, make them more comfortable and easy, and above all, as safe as possible,” said Smith. “Incorporating this robotic installation at the Memphis hub has given team members the opportunity to take on additional tasks within the operations.”

“We are excited about our latest partnership, since it further validates our credo: Robots Work, People Rule,” said Plus One’s CEO and co-founder Erik Nieves. “By partnering with global names like FedEx and Yaskawa, it positions our team to keep advancing the pace of our innovations and their applications to e-commerce and a world of other opportunities. And also of great importance, this is a key example of how automation is creating new opportunities for people to assume new roles and undertake new careers in an increasingly connected world.”

“We are tremendously proud that an industry leader like Plus One Robotics is headquartered on our rapidly growing technology innovation campus,” said Port San Antonio President and CEO Jim Perschbach. “Plus One’s innovations continue to raise our community’s profile as a strategic place for dynamic and creative companies and their talented teams to operate, develop new products and connect with industries that are being transformed as a result of these solutions.”