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Tag: AMR

Racks and Robots for the Future

Posted on by David Priestman

Integrating racking systems, pick towers and other storage solutions with mobile robots will provide transformative automation, says Edward Hutchison, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems.

Fast delivery times and flexibility are vital warehouse capabilities for meeting customer expectations, especially in the intensified environment of e-commerce fulfilment during seasonal peaks. The traditional solution of adding more staff is becoming increasingly difficult as it becomes harder to find and retain qualified labour. And if you can find more people, order picking operations that involve long walking distances will increase costs.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are fast becoming a familiar sight in warehouses. They offer a flexible automated solution that negates the need for extensive modifications to facilities. They can adapt easily to seasonal demands as extra robots can be added as required, providing an ideal solu¬tion for handling peaks. And when business circumstances change, operations can be further extended by simply adding robots to the fleet.

This versatility along with their performance possibilities is driving a 12.6% AMR market growth in the UK from 2024 to 2030. Many of the projects will be part of a broader storage installation and may well be working with racking and shelving.

In addition to e-commerce, mobile robots are also suited to sectors such as fashion, food and pharmaceuticals. They can be particularly useful for automating small item order picking, where collaborative robots under the direction of intelligent control software create more efficient, flexible and productive processes. Robots can double or even triple productivity levels by reducing travel times through intelligent routing, optimising processes through batch picking and increasing picking performance through zone picking. The number of order pickers can be reduced by up to 50% and processes can be optimised in the long term by allocating staff to other value-adding tasks.

When it comes to installations, integration can be performed while maintaining ongoing operations. Solutions can be adapted to a user’s existing storage installations such as pallet racking, shelving and multi-tier storage systems, with a flexible connection to existing WMS/ERP systems.

Compared with other forms of automation, investment in mobile robots is small as they do not require any supporting infrastructure and operations can start with a single unit then add others as required. This is helped by the flexible Robot-as-a-Service (RaaS) licence model offering reasonable prices, which also enables simple fleet scalability, with the short term addition of units to handle seasonal peaks.

Transformative materials handling

Well planned racking layouts providing narrow aisles will give robots access while maintaining storage density and allow picking routes to be optimised. The structures will require labelling and clearances to allow a mobile robot’s sensors to navigate effectively.

Edward Hutchison

Integrating BITO’s racking systems, pick towers and other storage solutions with mobile robots will provide transformative automation that is seamlessly integrated, error-free and deployed without operational disruptions to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving logistics landscape. When choosing a mobile robot, look at the min¬im¬um space re¬quire¬ment. An ability to work in aisles as narrow as 1.12 m will enable use in confined storage environments. Another key characteristic to consider is charge time, which is an important contributor to overall productivity. Short charging times of just 50-60 minutes will help towards uninterrupted operation.

One stop shop suppliers will make the most effective partners to provide complete robot and materials handling solutions that will be transformative for warehouse operations. In addition to providing its own LEO driverless transport system, BITO works with numerous suppliers of mobile robots to provide innovative storage and order picking solutions, which may also involve shelving and racking installations such as pick towers, as well as plastic totes and containers. This allows customers to design and implement future-proof, end-to-end warehouse solutions, integrating state-of-the-art storage systems with robotics-powered automation to create smarter, faster and more efficient supply chain operations.

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Next Generation of Automated Small Load Carriers

Posted on by David Priestman

Continental has developed an ultracompact transport robot that transports stacked small load containers (SLCs) of up to 300 kg fully automatically. The NXS 300 ensures immediately deployable automation: no infrastructure modifications to existing floor-roller tracks are needed, and thanks to native VDA 5050 integration, the NXS 300 plugs seamlessly into existing AMR fleets. It delivers top speeds of up to 2 m/s and safe omnidirectional movement thanks to its 360-degree view.

The NXS 300 comes in two versions: the base version with a 600 mm fork length for classic 400 x 600 mm SLCs on carts and the extended version with an 800 mm fork length for half-pallets to effectively double the capacity per trip. Unveiled at LogiMAT 2025 in Stuttgart, it will be available in early 2026. The NXS 300 is currently being piloted in internal projects at Continental locations in Rheinböllen (Germany) and Sibiu (Romania), with more to follow until the end of the year. First project evaluations indicate a return on investment within well under two years.

“With this small-load solution, we are further expanding our AMR portfolio for Industry 4.0 applications. Tighter floor plans, increasing product variants and cost pressures are among the most pressing problems facing production and logistics managers. With its versatility and compact build, the NXS 300 provides an answer,” says Malte Kersten, head of Continental Mobile Robots. “It expands our portfolio with a flexible small-load solution and strengthens our position as a reliable partner for Industry 4.0 – aligned with our mission of ‘Making Things Easy’”

Ultracompact design for maximum flexibility

Real-time data and increasing product variants are driving the pace in smart factories. Production managers and logistics leaders must adapt material flow quickly for new products and batch sizes. Consequently, conventional Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are hitting their limits – they remain static and are not flexible enough to change and scale with production layouts. The NXS 300 bridges this gap with an ultracompact design (1,100 × 405 × 1,025 mm) and broad adaptability. The base version, with a fork height of only 110 mm, is compatible with over 80 percent of carts available in the market. It lifts them via an integrated lift platform at sources and sinks, enabling highly efficient material flow. Omnidirectional drives allow on-the-spot rotations, while 360-degree sensors with obstacle detection ensure safe manoeuvres even in mixed-traffic scenarios in narrow aisles. Continental’s new AMR combines AGV and AMR modes for great versatility. Its flexible system configuration allows seamless adaptation to various process requirements and production layouts.

Extended version doubles the transport volume per trip

The extended version builds on this mature base system, adding a fork extended by 200 mm. This enables it to handle stacked half-pallets (800 × 600 mm) or combinations of different SLC types – doubling the transport volume per trip and maximizing transport efficiency. Beyond their technical capabilities, the NXS 300 variants deliver a compelling return on investment (ROI). By automating the transport of SLCs, they reduce manual handling, minimize process interruptions and enhance overall efficiency. Companies can expect a significant reduction in operational costs and an ROI within six to 24 months, depending on the specific application and deployment scale.


“Thanks to full VDA 5050 interoperability, the system integrates seamlessly into existing intralogistics environments. Our strong focus on cost-effectiveness enables customers to achieve a rapid return on investment. Backed by our deep expertise in robotics and automotive engineering and our global track record in industrializing complex technologies, we provide an innovation for scalable, future-proof automation,” says Alessandro Castagnotto, head of Product Line Intralogistics at Continental Mobile Robots.

Comprehensive service to facilitate operations

The ergonomic, user-friendly human-machine interface (HMI) enables intuitive operation and maintenance, while local service teams and a 24/7 hotline guarantee maximum system availability. Proactive maintenance cycles minimize downtime and ensure continuous operation.

To help customers stay ahead of evolving production requirements, future extensions of the NXS300 family are already in development, such as a top-roller variant with an active conveyor to take and deliver SLCs directly from conveyors. These will broaden the range of applications covered by the platform and enable users to address future automation needs and maximize intralogistics efficiency – all within the same familiar system architecture and service environment.

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Sorting Robots Boost Fulfilment Capacity

Posted on by David Priestman

THG Fulfil, fulfilment and courier management solution, has announced a partnership with intelligent robotics provider, Libiao. The collaboration will see the installation of 430 state-of-the-art T-sorting robots into THG Fulfil’s automated Manchester warehouse facility, a move projected to increase operational capacity by approximately 75%.

The T-sorting robots are set to be operational in September 2025, providing THG Fulfil with the capacity to output c1 million units per day – a move that will strengthen THG Fulfil’s ability to manage peak demand as it onboards new brands and retailers ahead of the holiday season.

THG Fulfil provides solutions by seamlessly integrating automation, AI-driven technology and proprietary software, delivering customer satisfaction. The strategic implementation of Libiao’s innovative robots is testament to THG Fulfil’s commitment to leveraging advanced automation to enhance speed and improve efficiency across its ecommerce operations. The modular and flexible design of the T-sorting system allows for dynamic scalability, enabling THG Fulfil to rapidly adapt to fluctuating consumer demand, regardless of seasonality.

Libiao’s T-sorting robots are renowned for their high stability and fault tolerance capabilities, boasting a remarkable sorting accuracy of up to 99.9%. The system is engineered to sort for multiple destinations simultaneously, with electroplating robots operating on optimal paths to maximise sorting efficiency. The technology also offers significant space-saving advantages due to its low footprint requirements and versatile deployment options across warehouse levels.

Furthermore, THG Fulfil is Libiao’s UK distribution partner, enabling brands and retailers to access Libiao’s cutting-edge robotics solutions and benefiting from THG Fulfil’s proprietary technology, optimisation and know-how. Brands and retailers will also benefit from rapid deployment capabilities, with installation of Libiao’s robotics solutions possible in as little as three weeks. This short project cycle contributes to fast and high return on investment, resulting in a typical return period of less than three years.

Tom Killeen, COO, THG Ingenuity, said: “We have always believed that fulfilment is a core driver of customer excellence and brand reputation. Our collaboration with Libiao further solidifies our commitment to providing brands and retailers with industry-leading, scalable automation solutions that optimise everything from pick and pack to final mile delivery, ultimately enhancing customer experience and driving loyalty. Our unique approach, which often sees 95% of all units sold moving through some form of automation, combined with our late NDD cut-off times of up to 1am, is truly what sets us apart. We are committed to investing in the future of logistics, while empowering our clients to meet and exceed evolving consumer expectations with unparalleled efficiency.

Jason Zhang, VP of Sales – Europe, Libiao, said: “We’re excited to partner with THG Fulfil, showcasing the elegance and scalability of Libiao Robotics’ solutions. Our compact, modular robots enable rapid plug-and-play deployment. With THG Fulfil as our UK distribution partner — leveraging their vast retail network and warehouse automation expertise — we look forward to expanding Libiao’s reach across new industries. At Libiao, our mission is to make the world more efficient, and this collaboration is a meaningful step toward that goal.”

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Fulfilment Service gets Robots to Boost Warehouse Efficiency

 

AI-Powered Robotics Boost Warehouse Efficiency

Posted on by David Priestman

One of the UK’s largest and longest-standing redistributor and retailer of surplus products, Company Shop Group (CSG), has announced a strategic partnership with Dexory, a leading provider of real-time warehouse visibility and automation solutions, to transform inventory accuracy, reduce waste, and improve product flow within its ambient warehouse operations.

The partnership, which uses Dexory’s autonomous robot and AI-driven platform, is delivering transformational results across CSG’s Barnsley, South Yorkshire warehouse, which holds a wide range of surplus stock across food, homeware, personal, and pet categories.

Due to the fast-paced nature of surplus redistribution, accurate and timely stock processing is critical. Historically, inaccuracies in stock levels have led to some picking and dispatch delays. By deploying Dexory’s real-time data and automation solution, CSG is now able to track stock with a level of accuracy and speed not previously possible – with an increase of over 300 pallets added to the warehouse management system (WMS) during the trial period alone.

AI-Powered Robotics

“The Dexory solution stood out as the most effective and least disruptive option after reviewing several providers,” said Martin Upton, Operations Director, Company Shop Group. “It’s fast, flexible, and has integrated seamlessly with our existing warehouse management system. The system has also significantly increased visibility into our Dispatch area – something we had limited access to before. This has dramatically increased efficiency and enabled smoother product flow throughout our operation.”

Dexory’s solution is now used not only for stock integrity – ensuring stock is stored in the right location and allowing for rapid issue resolution – but also to support dispatch operations by providing by-date priority lists and real-time views of dispatch pallets. The robot’s ability to perform multiple autonomous scans per day empowers operational teams to act quickly, identify root causes of issues, and implement targeted training and continuous improvement efforts.

“We’re proud to support a mission-led business that is tackling waste reduction across the industry,” said Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial & Product Officer and Co-founder of Dexory. “By combining our AI-powered robotics and real-time data platform, we’re enabling their team to spot issues sooner, react faster, and ultimately deliver a more effective and efficient end-to-end process – turning warehouse visibility into tangible operational and environmental impact.”

Oana Jinga
Oana Jinga, Dexory

The project has already freed up valuable time for the client’s stock control team, enabling them to focus on wider efficiency initiatives across operations. With the proven benefits in inventory control and process flow, Company Shop Group sees this partnership as a key pillar in achieving its long-term goal: creating a world where no surplus product goes to waste.

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New Bin-mover Robot Launched

Posted on by David Priestman

Supplier of intelligent warehousing and mobile robotics, Quicktron, has launched a new solution for the UK market – the M5F bin-mover robot – which further enhances its Quickbin+ solution. The launch of the M5F robot marks a milestone in Quicktron’s expansion into Europe as the AMR specialist brings its innovative, affordable and intelligent robotic solutions to new customers across the continent.

Quickbin+ combines patented bin-picker and bin-mover robots in a breakthrough intelligent warehousing system that enhances storage density, optimises efficiency and delivers substantial cost savings to maximise ROI. The compact M5F robot delivers high performance to a broad range of industries and applications, from 3PL, retail and e-commerce, to healthcare, food & beverage and manufacturing.

Adaptable, efficient and agile

The M5F robot is a key component of the Quickbin+ solution, which integrates bin-picker and bin-mover robots to deliver a cost-effective, flexible entry into intelligent warehousing with lower investment and maintenance costs, and a faster payback period (as short as two years).

Enhancing efficiency, throughput and flexibility, the durable, streamlined M5F is the next generation of bin-mover robots. It has a long 11-hour battery life to minimise downtime and eliminate mid-shift charging, an acceleration of 2 m/s², and achieves speeds of up to 4.5 m/s and.

With agile horizontal transportation and curved-turn functionality, the M5F operates effectively in tight spaces to reduce operating times and cut the number of bin-mover robots required by up to 40%. Smooth performance is achieved with ±10mm accuracy using QR codes for position tracking, while inertial sensors gather real-time data to adjust orientation, detect obstacles, and ensure smooth navigation.

Working alongside other robots

The M5F is adaptable and scalable, offering easy and seamless integration with other mobile robots, including the C56 bin-picker robot. It can be reconfigured to suit an array of different workflows and applications, while its single-column, fork-arm design improves manoeuvrability and adaptability to a wide variety of different warehouse situations.

Combined with the C56 bin-picker robot, which can operate at heights up to 12m to enhance storage density, the M5F’s dual-layer buffer zones utilise both vertical and horizontal space. The dual-depth storage allows picking from two locations along the aisles, effectively doubling capacity and providing the flexibility needed to adapt to varying SKUs and seasonal demand.

Intelligent technology

Quicktron has a growing portfolio of high-performance robotic solutions and has expanded rapidly since it was founded in 2014. With businesses facing rising pressures to improve warehouse efficiency and reduce intralogistics costs, the company has more than 30,000 operational robotic units deployed worldwide, including over 1,000 AGVs in a single warehouse. The QuickBin (QB+) system is a core offering for Quicktron and a key part of its portfolio of comprehensive warehouse solutions, which integrate intelligent intralogistics technologies, including four-way shuttles, AMRs, and tote handling systems across full-scenario operations.

Quicktron has a strong focus on R&D and intelligent solutions, with more than 500 patents to its name. A long-term strategic partnership with Dematic combines both companies’ expertise, building on a proven track record of successful collaborations, including the joint delivery of multiple QuickBin and G2P picking system projects.

Yang Wei, the CEO and founder at Quicktron Robotics, commented: “The new M5F robot is part of our commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of companies, making the industry more sustainable, and freeing workers from mundane tasks, allowing them to focus on more engaging and valuable work.

“Our strong emphasis on R&D has delivered a faster, more agile, more efficient robot that reduces warehouse and intralogistics costs even further and enhances our flagship QuickBin+ solution. Integrating the new M5F with QuickBin+ provides a 50-60% saving in labour costs and a scalable, flexible future-proof solution that can adapt to companies’ changing needs.

“The M5F robot debuted at the 2025 ProMat show in Chicago in March and we’re excited to see how it can benefit companies across Europe as part of our core QuickBin+ solution.”

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Maximum AMR Flexibility

Posted on by David Priestman

Autonomous mobile robots optimise the movement of goods in warehouses, logistics centres and manufacturing plants. The internal transport of goods is a core element of companies’ logistics operations. AMRs are intelligent vehicles designed to move loads independently, without the need for human guidance.

These high-tech machines plot their routes using virtual warehouse maps, performing their assigned tasks with the utmost efficiency. Moreover, they are equipped with innovative navigation software that enables them to identify and avoid obstacles. This technology ensures safe coexistence with other machines and people sharing the workspace.

Mecalux’s AMR line features models to manage a wide variety of loads, from boxes, totes, bins and trays to pallets and shelving. The integration of these systems significantly contributes to optimising intralogistics processes.

Meet the Models

Mecalux’s range of AMRs can handle goods weighing between 100 and 1,500 kg, making them a versatile solution adaptable to a multitude of logistics environments:
• AMR 100 Multi-Box: Incorporates a mast to transport bins, boxes, crates and trays. Maximum payload: 100 kg
• AMR 100 Box: Equipped with a conveyor to transfer boxes, trays and packages. Maximum payload: 100 kg
• AMR 600 Rack: Designed to move shelving units to pick stations. Maximum payload: 600 kg
• AMR 1500 Pallet Lifter: A lifting system transfers pallets to and from fixed platforms and conveyors. Maximum payload: 1,500 kg
• AMR 1500 Pallet Conveyor: Outfitted with a conveyor to transport pallets to the various warehouse areas. Maximum payload: 1,500 kg

AMRs can carry out a wide variety of tasks in all kinds of facilities and offer an excellent opportunity for boosting efficiency and productivity in picking. They can be integrated in three working methods:
• Goods-to-person: These devices supply pick stations with the goods required to fill orders.
• Rack-to-person: The mobile robots transport picking shelves to operator workstations.
• Person-to-goods. AMRs assist employees when locating products in the warehouse by freeing them from using picking carts.

Internal Material Transport

AMRs replace or complement handling equipment such as forklifts, conveyors and electric monorail systems. Mobile robots make product transfers more flexible: they automatically adapt to modifications made in logistics facilities. AMRs can reconfigure their routes in the event of changes in workspace layouts, racking/shelving arrangements or any other adjustments within the warehouse.

By quickly adapting to fluctuations in demand or workflow, mobile robots help companies stay competitive in an ever-evolving logistics environment. AMRs also optimise order shipping and other outbound processes. Once orders have been filled at the pick or consolidation stations, the AMRs move them to the shipping area.

By following streamlined routes and working autonomously, the robots ensure that orders are moved efficiently and promptly. AMRs – for both light and heavy loads – automate the delivery of parts, components and raw materials to work and assembly stations on the production lines in various industries.

The ability of mobile robots to adapt to dynamic environments makes them suitable for operational areas requiring flexibility and agility. Automation also reduces downtime and increases throughput in manufacturing processes.

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Gearmotors for AMR Growth

Posted on by David Priestman

Bonfiglioli’s tailored drive solutions are at the heart of a smarter, more connected future for manufacturers of AGVs and AMRs, writes Editor Peter MacLeod.

As demand for autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) surges across logistics and warehouse environments, Bonfiglioli, a long-established Italian manufacturer of gear motors and drive systems, is turning its attention to providing customised, compact, and connected solutions for OEMs. Cristiano Cattan, Global Key Account Manager, sat down with us at LogiMAT to discuss the company’s evolution and innovation trajectory.

“We’re seeing significant growth in the AMR space,” Cattan explains. “And what we’ve learned is that this is a very different business from traditional industrial markets. OEMs don’t want off-the-shelf components, they want tailored solutions.”

Bonfiglioli, known historically for industrial gearboxes, continues to expand its offering of integrated systems that combine motors, gear units, and drive controllers. This shift is more than a product evolution, it’s a strategic move to meet customer demands for turnkey solutions and to help them reduce their roster of component suppliers.

“Today, customers are coming to us not for a gearbox, but for a compact, all-in-one drive solution,” says Cattan. “They’re saying, ‘Here’s the performance spec and physical dimensions, can you build something that fits?’ And we’re answering yes, with a collaborative engineering approach between their R&D and ours.”

Valued Partner

This high-touch engagement has made Bonfiglioli a valued partner for OEMs building AMRs and AGVs, especially in space-constrained applications. It’s also pushing the company deeper into electronic integration. The 2023 acquisition of Selcom Group, an Italian electronics manufacturer, has bolstered Bonfiglioli’s in-house capabilities in drive control and edge computing, opening the door to smarter, IoT-enabled systems.

“We now offer solutions that include condition monitoring and predictive maintenance,” says Cattan. “Our gear motors can report live data on temperature, vibration and load. That means operators can identify wear or potential failures before they cause downtime.”

These insights are transmitted either through the customer’s PLC or via Bonfiglioli’s edge computing devices, enabling residual lifetime analysis of components like bearings and motors. “Customers don’t want to stop a line, even for a second,” Cattan (pictured below) adds. “So being able to plan maintenance before failure is a real value-add.”

Cristiano Cattan, Bonfiglioli

Broad Portfolio

Despite these advances, Bonfiglioli’s challenge remains market perception. “We’re still seen by many as just a gearbox supplier,” Cattan says. “But we have a broad portfolio and deep flexibility to go beyond it. We want the industry to know that Bonfiglioli offers full, intelligent drive solutions.”

Indeed, that flexibility has proven crucial, not only in AMRs but also in fixed logistics applications. While Bonfiglioli isn’t embedded in global giants such as Amazon or DHL, Cattan notes a rising interest in their smart conveyor solutions, especially for airport baggage handling and intralogistics systems.

As it evolves its product portfolio, Bonfiglioli is also positioned for a global customer base. “We have production and service locations in Europe, the US, China, and India,” says Cattan. “That global footprint is important for OEMs looking for consistent quality and local support in every major market.”

Looking ahead, Bonfiglioli is preparing to launch a new integrated AGV drive solution later this year. “It’s made entirely in Italy – motor, gear, controller, all in one. That gives us total control over quality and design, and helps our customers reduce their supplier base without compromising performance.”

For Bonfiglioli, the future is compact, smart, and collaborative. And as the AMR and logistics sectors continue to demand speed, flexibility and intelligence, it is really gearing up to meet it.

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Intelligent Scheduling of AMR Robots

Posted on by David Priestman

How can warehouse AMR robots achieve orderly collaboration on a multi-machine scale? How do they adapt to terminal-diversified logistics scenarios? We analyze how one manufacturer’s system can improve the efficiency of factory logistics for typical scenarios.

Intelligent scheduling can be solved by integrating the ‘smart brain’ of automated logistics. SEER Robotics‘s M4 Smart Logistics Management System, which integrates robot scheduling and business systems, provides a one-stop management service for robot-centered automated warehousing and logistics.

M4 consists of five plates, including the RDS unified resource scheduling system with multi-vehicle scheduling as the core, which can meet the business needs of enterprises in different scenarios of scheduling. It provides the optimal solution for robot task allocation, route planning, traffic control, and equipment docking.

Scheduling Across Floors

In large facilities it is common to perform tasks across multiple floors and areas, and so cooperation between robots and intelligent devices is increasing. As an intermediary, the RDS system will dock the upper-level business systems of customers to exchange data and convey tasks downwards to managing robots and other smart devices such as elevators and automatic doors.

Dynamic Global Programming

In an equipment manufacturing workshop conditions for multiple robots to perform tasks are even stricter, such as the narrow aisles that only allow a single vehicle to pass through and the mixed operation environment of humans and machines, making them highly susceptible to congestion and deadlocks due to conflicting robot paths.

However, the RDS system supports dynamic global collaborative planning. By analyzing the robot’s position in real-time, setting task priorities, and considering environmental changes, it can perform multi-robot path search and traffic control and dynamically adjust paths to avoid congestion.

Toy manufacturer Winfat Holdings has 44 intelligent forklifts, with multiple human-robot interaction scenarios. Based on the collaborative planning of the RDS system dozens of robots avoided deadlocks, congestion, and other problems, achieving an overall production efficiency improvement of 300%.

Prevent Empty Loads

Resource waste caused by unloaded robots has always been a problem for most businesses. To solve this problem RDS introduces the modes of ‘hitchhiking’ and ’pre-ordering’ to improve production efficiency. Based on the integrated evaluation function, the RDS system considers the global optimal task allocation scheme from the bottom and provides the pre-order mode for the round-trip transportation from the warehouse to the production line. It prioritizes assigning waybills to robots that are about to complete their tasks. For multi-storage robots, such as the container robots, it provides the ‘hitchhiking’ mode, which allows them to pick up and place their goods at the nearest warehouse to prevent robots from running empty and increase the tempo.

At the Chinawrr warehouse managers can more accurately understand the dynamics of the area based on the real-time data of the RDS system, which facilitates the dynamic adjustment of the task allocation of the inbound and outbound warehouses. It realizes the inbound and outbound warehousing of 290 pallets/hour unilaterally, and the storage capacity has been increased by 20%.

Beat Simulation

How to accurately assess the production cycle and determine the number of robots required is the first consideration for enterprises to implement robots. RDS creates simulation tasks through the Tianfeng task system, adds the number of robots dynamically, and supports random library and concurrent design to simulate production scenarios in real life, facilitate timely adjustments, and make the most accurate evaluations.

For example, the Swedish factory of Electrolux uses the RDS system to conduct simulation of robot and system interfacing, troubleshoot business logic, optimize multi-system communication and production beat problems. They successfully land the robots to optimize the production process from semi-finished products to finished product transportation.

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Autonomous Pallet-Moving Robot Debuts

Posted on by David Priestman

Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA), part of Ocado Group, has introduced Porter AMR, a pallet-moving autonomous mobile robot (AMR) that navigates warehouses to automate several warehouse workflows such as cross-docking, bulk-item picking, putaway, and pallet movement.

OIA’s patented system-directed software intelligently orchestrates each Porter autonomous pallet-moving robot – or a whole fleet of them – to reduce travel times and avoid warehouse congestion. Ocado’s Fulfillment Execution System (FES) groups orders to maximize case picking, optimize route plans and reduce steps between picks. Meanwhile, machine learning prioritizes and plans pallet stacking intelligently to avoid product damage.

“Porter from OIA automates low-value, manual tasks and fosters a more productive workplace by supporting associates, increasing case picking rates, and automating the movement of high volumes of inventory,” said Jeff Larson, Director of Solutions Design for Ocado Mobile Robot System at OIA. “Companies in third-party logistics, retail, e-commerce, distribution, and healthcare can maximize warehouse productivity and scale operations up or down easily without depending on manual forklifts and expensive certified forklift drivers.”

Automates Point-to-Point Movement of Pallets and Cages

Porter picks, moves and places pallets directly from the floor with precision, even when they are aligned back-to-back. It recognizes its surroundings to safely handle and transport heavy loads autonomously and can be configured to handle cages, increasing flexibility and expanding fulfillment capabilities.

Porter AMR features:

• An onboard touchscreen with live front-camera view, enabling associates to safely maneuver Porter in manual mode.
• A 3,300-pound (1,500 kilograms) payload capacity to transport densely packed pallets.
• The ability to transport one pallet or two roll cages on a single trip.
• Dynamic task-switching software that seamlessly transitions Porter between inventory movement and case-picking tasks as operational needs evolve.
• Advanced built-in sensors to detect, recognize and handle any open or closed standard pallet types, including Commonwealth Handling Equipment Pool (CHEP), Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and European Pallet Association e.V.(EPAL) pallets.
• A slim, counterbalance-free design with a tight turning radius to operate in pallet lanes as narrow as 51 inches (1.3 meters) wide.

Streamline Warehouse Operations with Robust Integrations

Porter integrates with existing wall-to-wall fulfillment platforms, Warehouse Execution Systems (WES), Warehouse Control Systems (WCS) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), to seamlessly prioritize tasks with minimal disruption and increase warehouse productivity. These systems can collaborate to:
• Pick and pass complex orders across multiple robots.
• Automate inbound and outbound pallet movement from Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) from OIA or other Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
• Connect to robotic arms to deliver or pick pallets from palletizing and depalletizing areas.

Intelligent Navigation Supports Warehouse Safety

Porter’s advanced vision system enables it to navigate safely and autonomously without requiring infrastructure changes or manual intervention. Moving at speeds of up to 4.5 miles per hour, the AMR dynamically adjusts its speed when detecting people or equipment in the area, ensuring workplace safety. Porter intelligently parallel parks itself in aisles to reduce congestion, keeping operations seamless for both robots and human associates.

Porter AMR is a component of the Ocado Mobile Robot System (OMRS), an advanced fulfillment system for intelligent workflow orchestration.

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Asset Tracing and Transport Flow Optimization with ANT Locator

Posted on by David Priestman

Autonomous navigation and fleet management equipment supplier BlueBotics – whose ANT navigation technology drives over 6,000 AGVs and AMRs around the world – has announced ANT locator, a new and highly flexible vehicle tracking and mixed fleet management solution that will be commercially available from June 2025.

“Based on our proven vehicle positioning technology, ANT locator allows companies to understand exactly where their forklifts are, and therefore where their pallets are too, whether inside or outdoors,” explains Dr. Nicola Tomatis, CEO of BlueBotics. “ANT locator also addresses an evolving challenge for internal logistics teams: how to ensure effective interactions between manual forklifts and driverless AGVs and AMRs, by enabling traffic light systems for mixed vehicle types, smart interactions in pre-defined zones, and the integrated monitoring of all vehicles.”

ANT locator is natively integrated with BlueBotics’ popular ANT server AGV/AMR fleet manager. It can also be integrated with a customer’s existing WMS, MES, ERP, or fleet management system. Further add-ons are also available, for example for outdoor use, and to manage the tracking of other mobile assets – such as pallet jacks, or staff – within shared spaces.

Designed to meet the needs of AGV/AMR and manual forklift producers, third-party software providers, and end users alike, ANT locator’s functionality spans three key use cases:

1. Optimization of transport flows on mixed vehicle sites
While automated vehicles like AGVs are a proven productivity booster, operating these in the same spaces as manual trucks is a challenge, especially on complex, confined sites. How can transport flows be optimized? Who has right of way? How can efficiency-killing deadlocks and accidents be avoided?

With ANT locator, the live coordinates of manual trucks are integrated directly into BlueBotics’ ANT server AGV fleet manager. This precise positioning data enables the software to automatically manage interactions between automated vehicles, manual trucks, and even human staff – for example, via the use of traffic light systems – helping companies to use their space as intelligently and safely as possible.

2. Precise tracing of manually moved goods

For material handling to run efficiently, knowing the precise location of every pallet is key. But while the drop-off points of automated vehicles are pre-programmed, knowing the precise location of every manual truck’s drop-off is far from guaranteed. With ANT locator integrated into every manual truck, the precise positions of these vehicles can be communicated continuously to a company’s existing WMS/logistics software, allowing material handling teams to trace the exact location of every payload – at pick-up, at drop-off, and everywhere in between.

3. Improvement of manual truck operations through data analytics

One of the biggest barriers to optimizing forklift use is not knowing how they are currently being used. Which flows are most common? Are drivers using the most efficient routes? The precise positioning data and analytics that ANT locator supplies allow companies to improve their manual truck flows, by understanding and optimizing their usage based on real-world insights. No asking, no watching, no guessing — just track, analyze, adjust, and advise.

Positive market feedback

German warehouse management software supplier, SEP Logistik, is an early adopter of ANT locator. “We use ANT locator in our RELAG-System to determine the exact position of each forklift. The system, which provides a real-time 3D visual of the warehouse to the operator, then can show them the most efficient path to reach their target location. ANT locator even enables us to offer this functionality outdoors,” explains Markus Fischbacher. “On one project for example, thanks to the efficiency gains achieved, we enabled a sheet metal producer to reduce the number of forklifts they required by 20%. With ANT locator inside our RELAG-System, our customers can enjoy greater intralogistics transparency and traceability, without needing to leave the office.”

Tomatis of BlueBotics concludes, “For manufacturers and warehouse operators looking to improve the efficiency of their internal logistics, ANT locator is a great fit. It provides the accurate vehicle positions and usage data they need to optimize truck flows, track pallets, manage mixed vehicle interactions and enhance on-site safety.”

Safety can be further boosted with additional collision avoidance solutions from Ubiquicom, which ZAPI GROUP acquired in October 2024. These solutions include proximity sensors that can be integrated into ANT server to create additional smart behaviors related to the operation of manual vehicles, AGVs, and AMRs. Conversely, ANT locator is able to interface seamlessly with Ubiquicom’s range of ‘Forklift Ecosystem’ solutions, enabling ZAPI GROUP to meet the needs of every internal logistics and warehouse management team.

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