Canadian e - commerce firm Shopify has acquired warehouse robot manufacturer 6 River Systems for around $ 450 m . Proponents of collaborative robots say they can be added quickly to distribution centers to boost output more efficiently and cheaply than conventional automation systems such as conveyor belts. The purchase , which includes 60 % cash and 40 % stock , marks the e - commerce platform 's further commitment to physical distribution , taking on the Massachusetts - based company 's autonomous mobile robots , which work collaboratively with workers to guide them to aisles and light up when reaching an item 's location . Shopify aims to offer an efficient distribution service to small and medium - sized businesses for swift delivery across North America , leveraging automation technology to help compete against competitors .
Canadian e - commerce firm Shopify has acquired warehouse robot manufacturer 6 River Systems for around $ 450 m . The purchase , which includes 60 % cash and 40 % stock , marks the e - commerce platform 's further commitment to physical distribution , taking on the Massachusetts - based company 's autonomous mobile robots , which work collaboratively with workers to guide them to aisles and light up when reaching an item 's location . Shopify aims to offer an efficient distribution service to small and medium - sized businesses for swift delivery across North America , leveraging automation technology to help compete against competitors .