According to Andrew Burer, marketing director at Corvus Robotics, these drones operate in both ambient and deep-freeze areas of the distribution system. The devices automatically scan pallet locations in warehouse areas, allowing the company to track inventory weekly instead of conducting manual warehouse counts.

An autonomous Corvus One drone for cold chain supply in a warehouse. *Corvus Robotics*

This technology supports critical operational processes, including the first-in, first-out (FIFO) principle, often applied to goods with short shelf lives.

"For cold chain operations, this solution reduces the need for employees to manually count inventory in sub-zero temperature environments, while improving shrinkage control, FIFO compliance, and data reliability for short-lifecycle items," Burer stated.

Corvus Robotics states that the Corvus One drone requires no changes to warehouse infrastructure. The system integrates directly with existing warehouse management software. It can also operate in temperatures as low as -20 degrees F (approximately -29 degrees C).

Furthermore, the drone operates without needing WiFi, indoor positioning systems, lighting changes, special barcodes, or direct human operators.

A Corvus Robotics representative mentioned that the two parties have collaborated through multiple phases, from initial trials to real-world operational deployment. However, the company has not disclosed the specific Kroger distribution centers using the system, the size of the drone fleet at each facility, or long-term expansion plans.

In recent years, warehouse inventory drones have garnered significant interest from logistics and retail businesses due to the demand for improved inventory visibility and accuracy.

Previously, in 2023, the shipping giant Maersk deployed Verity's drones to assist customers with inventory tracking. Sports brand On and logistics company UPS also partnered with Verity to implement real-time inventory tracking technology in their warehousing systems.

In addition to its cold chain drone line, Corvus Robotics also offers solutions for conventional warehouses, used by brands such as Asics, ArmorAll, and GNC.

The Dan (via Supply Chain Dive)