Corvus launches autonomous drones to track inventory in -20°F freezers

Corvus Robotics has introduced Corvus One for Cold Chain, an autonomous drone system specifically engineered to manage inventory in extreme cold storage environments, operating reliably at temperatures as low as -20°F. Designed for logistics and warehousing facilities handling frozen goods with strict shelf-life and FIFO requirements, the drones perform frequent, autonomous inventory scans to provide near real-time visibility of pallet locations and dwell times. The system overcomes challenges such as frost, airflow, condensation, and glare that typically impair conventional sensors, maintaining flight stability and barcode scanning accuracy without requiring modifications to warehouse infrastructure or workflows. The drones use industrial-grade barcode scanners with adaptive focus and exposure controls to reliably capture labels even when barcodes are frosted or damaged. Corvus One for Cold Chain operates continuously during active shifts without disrupting normal freezer operations, as it does not depend on Wi-Fi, localization markers, special lighting, or modified barcodes. Currently deployed in commercial settings like Kroger’s freezer facilities, the system reduces manual cycle counts, improves inventory accuracy