Schenker invests in Croatian robotic startup Gideon Brothers

DB Schenker is participating in the Croatian robotics startup Gideon Brothers. This involves a Series A funding round for the further development of artificial intelligence and 3D vision. DB Schenker’s customers will gain secure access to intelligent material handling solutions. Xavier Garijo, DB Schenker’s board member for contract logistics, will join the Board of Directors.

(Essen/Zagreb) DB Schenker and Gideon Brothers today announced the participation of the global logistics company in the Croatian startup for robotics and AI solutions. DB Schenker is one of the investors in the Series A funding round totaling 31 million US dollars, which will advance the development and marketing of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) based on artificial intelligence and 3D vision. The technology has already been implemented in DB Schenker’s warehouse in Leipzig. Xavier Garijo, board member for contract logistics at DB Schenker, will join the Board of Directors of Gideon Brothers.

Access to top-notch robotics

“This investment in the development of autonomous mobile robots once again underscores DB Schenker’s ambition to be a leader in innovation. Our partnership with Gideon Brothers secures us access to top-notch robotics and intelligent solutions for material handling. Together with Gideon Brothers, we have already developed real applications in the inbound and outbound processes of our warehouses. We see the enormous range of possibilities and are excited to build the ‘warehouse of the future’ for our customers with this technology. Together with Gideon Brothers, we want to rethink and revolutionize logistics business models,” says Xavier Garijo. Matija Kopić, CEO of Gideon Brothers, said: “The pandemic has significantly accelerated the adoption of intelligent automation. We are ready to meet the unprecedented market demand. The best way to do this is to combine our own solutions with those of our largest and most demanding customers. Our partners face real challenges that our robots can already solve, and together we are now seizing the opportunity to help some of the most innovative companies in the world evolve with the help of our robots.”

Making processes and workflows more efficient and productive

Gideon Brothers specializes in the flexible automation of horizontal and vertical material transport processes for logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, and retail. Advanced mobile robots and complete software solutions for autonomous operations indoors and outdoors support companies in the challenges of complex supply chains: rising customer expectations, increasing product variability and logistics volumes, a growing variety of distribution channels, and finally, the shortage of skilled workers. AMRs make processes and workflows more efficient and productive. Low-value tasks, such as transporting, picking, or providing products, are taken over. This frees up workers for tasks that represent higher added value in the operation. DB Schenker has already implemented autonomous robots from Gideon Brothers at its Leipzig location, opting for a flexible solution for existing warehouses where it can increase productivity without requiring renovations.

Global market for mobile robotics is rapidly growing

According to a recent study by ABI Research, the global market for mobile robotics is expected to grow to 158.6 billion US dollars by 2030. By then, there will be more than 15 million autonomous mobile robots in the world. About 90% of these machines will have their own visual perception. The Series A funding round is led by Koch Disruptive Technologies (KDT), the venture and growth arm of Koch Industries, Inc. Gideon Brothers will expand its Board of Directors with two experienced industry experts: Annant Patel, Director, KDT, and Xavier Garijo, board member for contract logistics, DB Schenker.

About Gideon Brothers

Founded in 2017, the Croatian company for robotics and AI solutions currently employs more than 90 people and specializes in the automation of horizontal and vertical material flow processes for logistics, manufacturing, and retail companies. With its advanced autonomous mobile robots based on AI & 3D vision and complete software solutions, Gideon Brothers represents a completely new generation of technology for self-driving robotic vehicles. Vehicles utilizing Gideon Brothers’ technology can automate complex workflows that were previously considered impossible to automate efficiently. Although the company is still in its early stages, it is already building solutions for some of the world’s leading and most demanding customers. Gideon Brothers was recognized as a top innovator in the recent ABI Research Competitive Ranking for industrial robots for material handling. Photo: © Gideon Brothers