Core
Core is a robotic picking system from Berkshire Grey designed to automate piece-picking in complex fulfillment environments.
Publisher review
Core is a robotic picking system from Berkshire Grey designed to automate piece-picking in complex fulfillment environments. It targets large-scale distribution centers and warehouses handling a high mix of SKU types, especially those with challenging items like polybags, irregular shapes, or delicate goods that traditional automation struggles with. The system is built for enterprises seeking to reduce manual labor and increase throughput in operations such as e-commerce, retail, and third-party logistics. Core is one of four solutions in Berkshire Grey's portfolio, alongside Dispatch (parcel sorting), Scoop (trailer unloading), and Stride (shuttle sorting), and is deployed by major brands including FedEx, Maersk, Bealls, and Walmart.
Core integrates perception, gripping, planning, and placement into a single robotic cell. Its AI-powered computer vision can handle a wide variety of tough products without pre-training, meaning it can adapt to new items on the fly. The system achieves over 99% accuracy and over 99% uptime, delivering up to 2x the pick-and-release performance of a human worker and up to 2x throughput compared to manual picking. It also reduces manual labor needs by up to 50%. Berkshire Grey's technology is SOC 2 Type II certified for security, a key requirement for risk-averse enterprise buyers.
In the warehouse automation market, Core competes with systems from Locus Robotics, Geek+, Symbotic, Covariant, and Vecna Robotics. Unlike Locus and Geek+, which offer flexible robot fleets for existing warehouses, Core is a fixed, integrated system requiring significant infrastructure changes — more akin to Symbotic's approach. Covariant focuses on being an "AI brain" for picking that can integrate with third-party hardware, whereas Core is a full hardware-software bundle. Vecna Robotics emphasizes fleet orchestration and security, while Core prioritizes high-throughput, dedicated picking cells.
The honest trade-offs: Core requires a high upfront capital investment, making it less accessible for smaller operations. It is not a plug-and-play solution; it demands a dedicated IT and operations team for integration and ongoing management. The system is best suited for new-build or heavily retrofitted facilities, not for incremental deployment in existing warehouses. Additionally, its fixed-cell design limits flexibility compared to mobile robot fleets that can be scaled up or down more easily.
How it works
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AI-powered computer vision
Handles a wide variety of tough products without pre-training, adapting to new SKUs on the fly using deep learning.
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Integrated pick-and-place
Combines perception, gripping, planning, and placement in one robotic cell for automated piece-picking.
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High throughput performance
Achieves up to 2x human pick-and-release performance and up to 2x throughput compared to manual picking.
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Over 99% accuracy
Maintains picking accuracy above 99%, reducing errors and rework in fulfillment operations.
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Over 99% uptime
Delivers continuous, reliable operations with system uptime exceeding 99%, minimizing downtime.
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SOC 2 Type II certified
Certified for security and data protection, meeting enterprise requirements for risk-averse buyers.
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Reduces labor by up to 50%
Cuts manual labor needs by up to 50%, allowing redeployment of workers to higher-value tasks.
Strengths and trade-offs
Strengths
- Handles a wide range of SKU types including polybags, irregular shapes, and delicate items without pre-training.
- Delivers up to 2x throughput compared to manual picking, verified by enterprise users reporting 2-3x increases.
- Reduces manual labor needs by up to 50%, as consistently reported by enterprise users.
- Maintains over 99% accuracy and over 99% uptime, ensuring reliable, continuous operations.
Trade-offs
- Requires a high upfront capital investment, making it less accessible for smaller or budget-constrained operations.
- Not a plug-and-play solution; demands a dedicated IT and operations team for integration and ongoing management.
- Best suited for new-build or heavily retrofitted facilities, limiting flexibility for incremental deployment.
- Fixed-cell design offers less scalability compared to mobile robot fleets that can be added or removed easily.
Pricing context
Not explicitly mentioned in the sources.
Getting started with Core
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Assess facility readiness
Evaluate your warehouse layout and infrastructure to determine if it can accommodate Core's fixed-cell design. Ensure sufficient floor space, power, and network connectivity for installation. Consult with Berkshire Grey's engineering team for a site survey.
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Integrate with WMS
Connect Core's control system to your warehouse management system (WMS) via API or middleware. Provide SKU data, order streams, and inventory locations. Work with your IT team to establish secure data exchange protocols and test connectivity.
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Configure picking parameters
Set up Core's AI vision system by defining your product catalog and picking zones. No pre-training is needed; the system adapts on the fly. Adjust throughput targets, gripper settings, and placement rules through the provided interface.
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Run initial picking tests
Load a batch of mixed SKUs into the picking cell and initiate a test cycle. Monitor the system's performance metrics, including pick accuracy and cycle time. Review any errors and fine-tune parameters as needed to optimize for your product mix.
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Schedule ongoing monitoring
Set up regular performance reviews using Core's dashboard to track uptime, throughput, and labor savings. Assign a dedicated operations team to manage daily operations and coordinate with Berkshire Grey support for updates or troubleshooting.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Core robotic picking system from Berkshire Grey?
Core is a robotic picking system from Berkshire Grey that automates piece-picking in complex fulfillment environments. It targets large-scale distribution centers handling a high mix of SKU types, including challenging items like polybags and irregular shapes, to reduce manual labor and increase throughput.
How does Core handle different types of products without pre-training?
Core uses AI-powered computer vision that adapts to new SKUs on the fly using deep learning. This allows it to handle a wide variety of tough products, such as polybags and delicate items, without needing prior training, making it flexible for changing inventory.
What performance metrics does Core achieve in warehouse operations?
Core achieves over 99% accuracy and over 99% uptime, delivering up to 2x the pick-and-release performance of a human worker and up to 2x throughput compared to manual picking. It also reduces manual labor needs by up to 50%, as reported by enterprise users.
How does Core compare to other warehouse automation systems like Locus Robotics?
Unlike Locus Robotics and Geek+, which offer flexible robot fleets for existing warehouses, Core is a fixed, integrated system requiring significant infrastructure changes. It is more akin to Symbotic's approach, focusing on high-throughput, dedicated picking cells rather than mobile robot fleets.
What are the main trade-offs of implementing Core in a warehouse?
Core requires a high upfront capital investment and is not plug-and-play, demanding a dedicated IT and operations team for integration. It is best suited for new-build or heavily retrofitted facilities, and its fixed-cell design limits scalability compared to mobile robot fleets.
What security certifications does Core have for enterprise buyers?
Core's technology is SOC 2 Type II certified for security and data protection. This certification meets the requirements of risk-averse enterprise buyers, ensuring that the system adheres to strict security standards for handling sensitive operational data.
Alternatives
How Core compares
Direct head-to-head against 2 competitors. Picked by 7wData.
Core
- Pricing
- Not explicitly mentioned in the sources.
- Target
- Core is a robotic picking system from Berkshire Grey designed to automate piece-picking in complex fulfillment environments.
- Strength
- Handles a wide range of SKU types including polybags, irregular shapes, and delicate items without pre-training.
- Watch for
- Requires a high upfront capital investment, making it less accessible for smaller or budget-constrained operations.
Procore
- Pricing
- Custom quote; estimated $10,000+/year for 10 users
- Target
- General contractors, large construction firms
- Deployment
- Cloud, mobile apps
- Strength
- Broad feature set for project management and field collaboration
- Watch for
- High cost; modular pricing can escalate with add-ons
Buildertrend
- Pricing
- From $399/month for 3 users; user tiers apply
- Target
- Residential contractors, home builders
- Deployment
- Cloud, mobile apps
- Strength
- Robust scheduling and client communication tools
- Watch for
- Cost rises significantly with additional users
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Sources
Reporting on this tool draws on these publicly available sources.