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About Us> Kiva Systems Company History

Founded in 2003, Kiva Systems is focused on solving real problems in the supply chain. Founder and CEO Mick Mountz experienced the challenges of existing material handling systems firsthand while working at online grocer Webvan. The complexity of existing material handling equipment and processes and the resulting high cost of order fulfillment ultimately was the downfall of Webvan. It occurred to Mick that there must be a better way to accomplish pick, pack and ship.

Mick then asked himself the simple question, "What if all the products in the warehouse could walk and talk on their own, couldn't they just come to me when I need to fill an order?" To pursue this idea, he sought the help of two experts in the area of complex multi-agent systems, Professors Peter Wurman and Raffaello D'Andrea, and together they began to develop the Kiva Systems concept.
 

Today, Kiva Systems applies the concepts of "distributed intelligence" to order fulfillment and inventory management using break through material handling systems and order fulfillment software. Inspired by ant colonies capable of performing large and complex tasks with limited central control, the Kiva system allows inventory to organize itself, adapting to conditions as they change. The resulting solution combines store, move and sort functions into one simple system that can now deliver any item to any operator at any time.

 

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Mobile robotics is powering Office Depot’s new demand-driven distribution center.

Modern Material Handling
August 2010
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Kiva Systems' robots, software fulfilling orders
Mass High Tech
September 1, 2010
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The robots are coming
Modern Material Handling
August 2010
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Office Depot Offically Opens Company's New State-Of-the-Art Combination Warehouse
July 29, 2010
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The Founders Behind Diapers.com Launch Soap.com: “All The Robots Are In Place”
TechCrunch
June 3, 2010
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Soon, That Nearby Worker Might Be a Robot
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June 1, 2010
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Luxury Brand Milly Implements Robotic Order Fulfillment
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May 21, 2010
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Kiva Systems robots now pick up trash
DC Velocity
May 5, 2010
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Diapers.com Rocks Online Retailing
Forbes.com
April 26, 2010
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Kiva Systems ranks #6 on 2009’s Inc. 500 list of the fastest growing companies in America.

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