Dane AiR™ DC Sets New Standard for Autonomous Inventory Management
02 April 2025 | Expert Insight
Dane Technologies and Brain Corp executives unpack how their AI-powered robot is reshaping warehouse intelligence—one high-bay scan at a time.
In a joint interview with Robotics Business NEWS, Kim Feccia, VP of Marketing at Dane Technologies, and Zeena Keshwji, Senior Product Manager at Brain Corp, shed light on the game-changing capabilities of the Dane AiR™ DC. Built on BrainOS® and designed for high-efficiency, autonomous scanning, this compact robot is redefining how warehouses manage inventory—from eliminating manual cycle counts to integrating seamlessly with WMS platforms. Backed by pilot success and industry recognition, the AiR DC signals a smarter, more scalable future for supply chain automation.
What are the key capabilities of the Dane AiR DC, and how does it improve inventory management in warehouses and distribution centers?
The Dane AiR™ DC is an autonomous inventory scanning robot developed by Dane Technologies in partnership with Brain Corp. It is engineered to optimize inventory management in warehouses, distribution centers, and manufacturing environments by delivering:
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Autonomous pallet and case-level scanning.
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Inventory visibility up to 38 feet high, accommodating high-bay racking systems.
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Barcode reading with over 99.5% accuracy, using Cognex scanning technology.
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High-speed coverage, scanning up to 200,000 square feet in under 8 hours.
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Operability in environments 0 degree fahrenheit and above.
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RFID tag reading functionality up to 30 feet deep.
By replacing manual cycle counts with automated, high-frequency scans, the Dane AiR™ DC dramatically improves accuracy and reduces labor costs, shrink, and out-of-stock issues—ultimately enhancing overall supply chain performance.
How does the robot leverage AI and automation to enhance accuracy and efficiency in inventory tracking?
The Dane AiR™ DC leverages Brain Corp’s BrainOS® AI autonomy platform to deliver intelligent, automated inventory management at scale. Powered by the same BrainOS® platform that drives over 40,000 robots globally with more than 20 million autonomous hours, Dane AiR™ DC reliably navigates complex, dynamic warehouse environments to capture inventory data consistently, frequently, and accurately—without disrupting other workflows.
Using computer vision, RFID, and barcode scanning, the robot collects high-fidelity inventory data that can then be analyzed to help warehouses:
What sets the Dane AiR DC apart from other autonomous inventory scanning solutions currently available?
What sets the Dane AiR™ DC apart is its smart, scalable, and easy-to-integrate design. Unlike drones or bulky fixed infrastructure systems, the AiR DC is compact, cost-effective, and plug-and-play, requiring no major changes to existing warehouse layouts or workflows. Built on Brain Corp’s proven BrainOS® platform, it delivers exceptional scalability and reliability in real-world warehouse environments. With the ability to scan pallet, carton, and rack locations, reach high rack levels, and integrate seamlessly with warehouse management systems (WMS), the Dane AiR™ DC stands out as a highly adaptable and efficient solution for modern inventory operations.
Can you share any insights from pilot programs or early adopters using this technology?
Early adopters and pilot users of the Dane AiR™ DC are already experiencing significant operational improvements. Versions of AiR have been widely deployed in various environments each with their own unique challenges.
During a recent pilot deployment, the Dane AiR™ DC was deployed into a distribution facility to evaluate its effectiveness in improving inventory accuracy and operational efficiency. Over the course of several weeks, the robot scanned more than 70,000 inventory channels, identifying over 700 instances of mislocated SKUs and more than 3,100 incorrectly placed product units. These discrepancies were resolved quickly and as a result, the facility saw an estimated reduction of approximately 660 pick tickets per day, highlighting the robot’s direct impact on minimizing order errors and streamlining fulfillment processes. In addition to operational gains, the pilot revealed a positive shift in workforce dynamics. Employees reported higher satisfaction, as the robot allowed them to offload repetitive manual tasks and focus on higher-value work. The Dane AiR™ DC seamlessly integrated into existing workflows, operated autonomously during active shifts, and demonstrated strong reliability across varying aisle configurations. Altogether, the pilot confirmed that the robot not only enhances inventory visibility and accuracy at scale, but also reduces labor strain and contributes to a more efficient, empowered warehouse environment.
Following the success of this pilot, the Dane AiR™ DC was showcased at ProMat 2025, where it received strong industry interest for its ability to deliver scalable, AI-powered inventory management. Additionally, the AiR DC ™ is built on the same platform as the Dane AiR™—the robotic inventory scanning solution for retail— which was recognized with the AI Breakthrough Award for Best Robotics Sensing Solution (2024), reinforcing its position as a transformative technology for modern warehousing and supply chain operations.
How does this solution integrate with existing warehouse management systems (WMS) and logistics operations?
The Dane AiR™ DC is designed for seamless integration into existing warehouse and logistics ecosystems, allowing facilities to adopt the technology without requiring major system overhauls. It can integrate directly with most Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) via standard APIs or data connectors, delivering real-time inventory updates that align with current logistics and replenishment workflows. By enabling automated alerts for incorrect product locations, empty slots, partial pallets, etc., the AiR DC enhances supply chain responsiveness while accelerating ROI and reducing operational complexity. For customers preferring not to integrate to their WMS, AiR offers a standard data extract that can be leveraged in any WMS or BI tool.
What industries stand to benefit the most from implementing this autonomous inventory scanning robot?
The Dane AiR™ DC delivers significant value across a wide range of industries, particularly those managing high-volume, fast-moving inventory operations such as 3PLs, manufacturers and retailers. These distribution centers benefit greatly from the robot’s ability to provide real-time visibility into rapidly changing inventory levels, helping to reduce out-of-stocks and missing products while streamline order fulfillment. Third-party logistics (3PL) providers can leverage the robot’s scalable, autonomous capabilities to serve multiple clients with varying inventory profiles while minimizing labor costs and improving service-level agreements. For consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturers, the Dane AiR™ DC ensures accurate tracking of products across complex warehousing environments, supporting better demand planning and replenishment. Industrial and automotive parts warehouses, which often deal with a mix of SKUs, storage configurations, and picking methods, gain from the robot’s ability to scan deep storage and high-bay racking with precision. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics operations—where inventory accuracy, compliance, and traceability are critical—can use the Dane AiR™ DC to support regulatory standards while reducing human error. Ultimately, any operation looking to increase inventory accuracy, reduce labor costs, and accelerate digital transformation across the supply chain stands to benefit from implementing this intelligent, autonomous solution.
What are the future plans for Dane Technologies and Brain Corp in advancing AI-driven robotics for supply chain optimization?
Dane Technologies and Brain Corp are committed to expanding AI-driven automation across the supply chain. Through continuous learning, software upgrades, and fleet-level intelligence, Dane and Brain Corp aim to build a flexible, scalable robotics ecosystem that empowers supply chain operators with deeper visibility, faster responsiveness, and more intelligent automation—ultimately transforming how inventory and logistics are managed across industries. This includes expansion beyond current rack based capabilities into areas such as bulk storage and goods reception, picking and shipping.
