Boston Dynamics, Waltham, Mass., acquired Kinema Systems, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based provider of industrial robotic arms.

Using a combination of vision sensors and deep learning software, Kinema Systems’ Pick technology works with commercial robotic arms to move boxes from pallets to conveyors or to build stacks of boxes on pallets. Pick enables logistics, retail and manufacturing companies to achieve high rates of box moving with minimal setup or training for both multi-SKU and single-SKU pallets.  

“Bringing the Kinema team into Boston Dynamics expands our perception and learning capabilities while the Pick product accelerates our entry into the logistics market,” says Marc Raibert, founder and CEO of Boston Dynamics. “Beyond being a powerful tool for industrial robotic arms, Kinema technology will help our mobile manipulation robots tackle a wide variety of complex real-world tasks.”

“Boston Dynamics’ reputation for innovation fits perfectly with our mission of developing the next generation of vision-enabled warehouse robots,” adds Sachin Chitta, founder and CEO of Kinema Systems.