Corvus Robotics Launches Dedicated Cold Chain Drones for Autonomous Inventory in Sub-Zero Warehouses

Continuous autonomous cycle counts deliver accurate inventory visibility while keeping workers out of sub-zero freezer environments


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Feb. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Corvus Robotics, a leader in deploying physical AI robotic systems for logistics and warehousing operations, today announced Corvus One™ for Cold Chain, an autonomous inventory management system engineered to operate continuously in freezer environments ranging from minus-20 degrees Fahrenheit to ambient temperatures. Designed to withstand extreme cold, airflow, frost, and condensation, the system delivers frequent, accurate inventory cycle counts without human intervention, enabling operators to maintain real-time visibility while keeping labor and equipment out of harsh freezer conditions.

Watch Corvus One for Cold Chain drones operating in freezers

“Operating autonomous aerial systems continuously in freezer environments is an engineering challenge most robotics platforms were never designed to handle,” said Jackie Wu, Chief Executive Officer, at Corvus Robotics. “Corvus One for Cold Chain required re-architecting thermal management, sensing, flight stability, and onboard perception so the system could maintain autonomy and accuracy despite frost, glare, airflow, and extreme temperature swings. The result is a system that performs reliably in environments that have historically defeated automation.”

A leading national grocer, Kroger, is already using Corvus One for Cold Chain in live freezer operations, where the system is delivering consistent inventory visibility and reducing reliance on manual cycle counts in sub-zero environments.

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A Corvus One for Cold Chain drone performs autonomous inventory scans in a freezer.

Corvus One for Cold Chain maintains full flight and scanning performance in sub-zero conditions using industrial-grade barcode scanners that provide precise control over focus and exposure. The system adapts to each environment to maintain barcode readability despite frost or glare, and automatically stabilizes flight to compensate for strong airflow, allowing freezer blowers and door activity to operate normally.

Corvus One for Cold Chain provides the following benefits:

High-Frequency Inventory Audits for Freezer SKU Velocity
Short shelf lives, strict FIFO requirements, and expanding SKU counts make frozen inventory especially difficult to manage. Corvus One performs frequent, fully autonomous cycle counts to keep inventory data continuously current. Operators gain precise visibility into pallet positions and dwell time, reducing write-offs, improving replenishment accuracy, and enabling tighter space optimization.

Reduced Labor Exposure and Improved Worker Safety
Freezer operations drive higher labor costs due to specialized gear, limited exposure windows, and shorter shifts. Corvus One for Cold Chain operates autonomously in temperatures as low as -20°F, eliminating the need for associates to enter freezer aisles for routine inventory counts and reducing both safety risk and labor overhead.

Reliable Barcode Capture in Sub-Zero Conditions
Ice buildup, condensation, glare, and damaged labels degrade the performance of conventional scanning systems. Corvus One uses industrial-grade barcode scanners with adaptive focus and exposure control, combined with stabilized flight, to consistently read frosted or low-contrast labels from multiple angles in challenging freezer environments.

Autonomous Operation Without Workflow Disruption
Corvus One for Cold Chain operates without Wi-Fi, localization markers, lighting modifications, or special barcodes. The system flies autonomously during active shifts, adapts to airflow from blowers and door activity, and maintains continuous uptime through automated battery and device health management under Corvus Robotics’ Robots-as-a-Service model.

Visit Corvus Robotics at Manifest booth #1565 and catch Jackie Wu speaking on cold chain operations Tuesday, February 10 at 11:30 a.m. in the Cold Chain Pavilion, Expo Hall.

About Corvus Robotics
Corvus Robotics provides the first and only autonomous inventory management system built on an AI world model. Purpose-built in America, its Corvus One product deploys fully autonomous, infrastructure-free drones that fly without human operators, equipping warehouses and production plants with efficient, accurate inventory management. Its data-driven, “Robot as a Service” model allows companies, such as MSI Surfaces, Dermalogica, and Staci Americas, to quickly respond to changes in demand, reduce labor costs, save hundreds of thousands of dollars annually and enhance the customer experience. For more information, visit www.corvus-robotics.com.

Media Contact:
Andrew Burer
Head of Marketing, Corvus Robotics
andrew(at)corvus-robotics.com
833-558-0812

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9bc3ad9d-7472-49da-a62f-0f93b5c34fbe