With the Southern Hemisphere in the grip of winter, it’s interesting to note the technological advancements in the materials handling world that take into account cold and freezing conditions.

This week the Australian unit of Dematic unveiled its third generation of freezer-rated automated guided vehicles (AGVs), while APM ordered two ZPMC “Blue Bot” straddle carriers for its port in Aarhus, Denmark, that are designed to operate automatically at low temperatures.

Sadly, industrial accidents and safety violations are also in the news this week. It’s a stark reminder of how important it is to stay safe out there, everyone.