Gessmann, a provider of automation solutions, is showcasing advanced systems for the intelligent deployment of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) and cobots at Automatica in Munich. A key highlight is a robotic solution that has already been successfully trialled and further developed in partnership with Volkswagen.
“With our innovative GESSbot GB 350 robotics solution, we are setting new standards in intralogistics and delivering genuine added value for our customers. As the leading trade fair for smart automation and robotics, Automatica provides the perfect platform to present our technology to an international expert audience and explore new business opportunities,” explains Steffen Kuhnle, Head of the Robotics Division at Gessmann.
Volkswagen serves as a prime example of the GESSbot’s potential. At one of the car manufacturer’s logistics centres, Gessmann’s robotics solution is already being adapted for series production to optimise intralogistics processes. The close collaboration between Gessmann and Volkswagen clearly demonstrates how modern robotic technologies can help overcome the current challenges faced by industry. “As one of our key partners, Volkswagen highlights the relevance of our robotics solution for high-level industrial applications — particularly in areas where efficiency and cost pressures are critical,” says Kuhnle. The results to date speak for themselves.
In logistics, the GESSbot, when combined with a cobot, unlocks significant potential for process optimisation. Traditional warehouse tasks — where employees manually pick items using paper lists — are time-consuming, prone to error, and physically demanding. The GESSbot GB 350 offers an efficient alternative by handling repetitive tasks such as order picking in close cooperation with staff. This not only reduces strain on employees but also improves workplace ergonomics.
Intelligent Navigation for Dynamic Environments
With a payload capacity of up to 350 kg and modular attachments including a shelving unit, roller conveyor, Z-lift system or wagon transporter, the GESSbot offers maximum flexibility across a wide range of applications. The system is complemented by the Techman cobot by Techman, suitable for tasks in the automotive, mechanical engineering, semiconductor, consumer electronics, and food industries.
“With a reach of up to 1.90 m and a payload of up to 35 kg, it is ideal for processes such as palletising. It is also user-friendly, as tasks can be intuitively programmed via a touchscreen. As a certified partner, we are able to train our customers in the use of cobots and provide them with the best possible support.” explains Kuhnle.
Another standout feature of the system is its intelligent navigation. The GESSbot detects and avoids obstacles in real time, adapting dynamically to changes in its environment. It navigates reliably in both wide open spaces and narrow, complex areas — without requiring complex installations. Additionally, the GESSbot’s behaviour is predictable for nearby personnel. It communicates actively via a sound system, display, and LED indicators, and is perceived as approachable and almost human-like thanks to its expressive ‘eyes’.
A Partnership, Not Just a Product
“The experience with VW highlights the full potential of this robotic technology,” emphasises Kuhnle. The close, hands-on cooperation with Volkswagen has enabled VW to independently programme the GESSbot and further develop its automation systems internally. This partnership-driven approach strengthens the customer’s in-house expertise over the long term. The integration of Nvidia Omniverse also allows for realistic simulations and the use of synthetic data, significantly reducing development times and simplifying system commissioning.
Manufacturing and integrating a wide range of materials handling systems and equipment in-house brings control and benefits to systems integrators. David Priestman spoke with Bas van der Velden, Director of Intralogistics for Bowe Group, about how one intralogistics company achieves this.
Logistics Business (LB): Was LogiMAT Stuttgart where Bowe first demonstrated its new range of companies, brands and products?
Bas van der Velden (BvdV, pictured below): “Yes, it was where we really showed what we call the ‘Bowe ecosystem’, which is basically a combination of all the business units, and how that works together. ‘IQ’ is of course, as you know, the overlayer of everything concerning the controls part and also basically the brains of everything you have to move.”
LB: Bowe predominantly integrates its own products?
BvdV: “Yes, for 90% of all our projects we’re using our own portfolio. We see more and more that we can integrate many parts for our customers. So going, for example, from a letter sorter for DHL we can stack all those letters into a box. That box goes on to a conveyor belt. We have a robot arm picking those boxes with letters on the trolley and then an AMR takes that trolley away to a different part of the warehouse, for example. That is the Bowe ecosystem which we want to create.”
LB: How has the product range grown?
BvdV: “I feel it more than ever that things are really falling into place. We started, of course, with Intralogistics as the first part almost 10 years ago. We developed IQ from 2019 and Move is a little bit newer. But things are really falling into place now, and we see that also with the customers. We add value now with a larger perspective than before when it was only the sorting systems, for example.”
Bas van der Velden
LB: Within Bowe Move you offer an AMR range, including the Tugbot with its roll cage gripper?
BvdV: “Correct. The Tugbot can be everything. What is so special about it is that the gripper is very flexible and because it’s so small. We can navigate in small spaces, where maybe other suppliers are unable to. It can also go into reverse mode and park backwards. Those are definitely the unique selling points.”
LB: The Palletbot has forks?
BvdV: “Yeah, exactly, this is a fork-based AMR and the biggest of the products. You would sell this to customers with pallet handling operations.”
LB: In addition to other products?
BvdV: “Correct. If you look at AMRs, it’s all-round materials handling, basically going from A to B in a production or logistical process. In fast-moving consumer goods and food we see a lot of pallet movements and therefore the Palletbot is a good solution for that. In the warehouse, if you want to move things with an AMR you need flexibility. We have a product for all this.”
LB: Lastly, the Flexbot. This is the one with the picking arm. What are the specific applications for that?
BvdV: “The Flexbot is relatively new. If you have a multi-product warehouse and use different shipment containers or pallets then a Flexbot is a good choice because it offers flexibility for lower weights.”
Robust and Reliable
LB: Looking at Bowe IQ, this is the ‘yellow brand’. One solution that’s interesting here is the RFID gate.
BvdV: “Yes, you know that RFID was a real hype 10 years ago. I wouldn’t say it’s slowed down because it’s always been present, but people were talking less and less about it. We still see that people are using RFID, people want to use RFID, and our gates are perfect for it. If you have a full pallet, we move it around with the Palletbot and it needs to go from one part of the warehouse to the other or even goes to outbound. The RFID gate will scan everything automatically on the pallet and provide confirmation that everything is on it. Or maybe there is a product on it which shouldn’t be leaving that part of the warehouse or that its missing what was expected. That is all managed by us. The hardware is one part, so is alarming the operation and saying, ‘hey, we’re missing things’ or ‘wrong things are going to the wrong destination’ or to a wrong position in the warehouse.”
Most Efficient Solution
LB: Moving to your speciality area, Bas, – Bowe Intralogistics. This is kind of the legacy business, with the Optimus products. Is that the biggest of the three segments?
BvdV: “Well we have 4 sections if you include Bowe Systec, which is our postal sorting business. I cannot provide percentages, but Intralogistics is the largest business and became part of Bowe in 2016, with the Optimus acquisition. Of course, we’ve grown since then. We have a facility in Sweden and we have a production facility in Italy. Our turnover was about €7m when we entered the Bowe Group. Now our Dutch office is doing over €30 million alone.
“We’re performing well and we see a lot of interest in our products. I think it’s good that we do our own integration. We do basically everything from A-Z, the one-stop-shop principle and we keep adding products. This is unique in the market. It’s all our own manufacturing, always with the same principles. It needs to be very robust and very reliable. This is one of the key reasons why customers choose us. Another big pointer is that we always want to go for the most efficient solution, with the most efficient products around it. If you look at the legacy business from Systec you see letter sorters and mailing machines. We were always the fastest, the only ones who were hitting the very high speeds.”
LB: The different sections of the business learn from each other?
BvdV: “We looked at that business model and we said, at Intralogistics, we can do roughly the same. We know that 95% of solutions that we deliver are sorting solutions and it’s always about input but combination with output is the most important thing. The shortest system will run reliably, has very high availability, low maintenance and service cost. If we are able to keep a constant high pace, then you have the perfect solution.
“This is where ‘Perfect Index’ or ‘Perfect Pitch’ comes in. If you look at the letter machines, they need to shoot in the envelopes at incredibly high pace and the way that they do that is by reducing the pitch between the letters as to as small as possible. What is the perfect induct, infeed line? We are trying to make them as efficient as possible by keeping the pitches and the gaps between parcels very small. We have very high outputs even on slower systems. In general, systems run one metre or 1.2 metres per second. If you look at the other suppliers and crossbelts, they need to run 2 metres or sometimes 2.6 metres per second. In most cases if you look at net output we are getting the same output as other suppliers.
“The market average for any sort of solution is to be around 75% or 80% operational. We are hitting above 90% and feeling great. We believe, well, we not only believe, we know it’s unique in the market. It’s a mechanical product, so you always need the operation to be good as well. We try to reduce the influence of the operator as much as possible. Let’s say it like this, David. If we step into a Formula One car, we are most likely not even able to start the car and when Verstappen goes in, or Hamilton, they are really getting the most output out of it. It works exactly the same with warehouse automation. You know you can place €100 million, €200 million or even a billion dollar’s worth of automation in a warehouse. But if the people around it are not aligned or don’t have a good day then the output will stall and not be not be what everybody expects. W we try to reduce that human factor by creating that consistency.”
Flexible and International
LB: Finally, to MOV.AI. This is the software for the AMRs. Is it an orchestration software for different types of AMRs, from different manufacturers? Is it a separate business from Bowe or a sister company?
BvdV: “Correct. Bowe has a majority share in MOV.AI. Like you say, it’s more of an orchestration software and the top layer of AMRs, doing the routing of the robots, which in essence is the most important part. You can have AMRs running around like crazy, but if you can utilise them and make it as efficient as possible, that’s good. I think the beauty about MOV.AI is that it doesn’t only work for our AMR infrastructure, but it also works for all AMRs, from different suppliers. So if you have multiple suppliers of AMR hardware in your warehouse then you can put the software of MOV.AI on top of it and everything connects with each other. This is also unique in the market.”
LB: Tell us a little bit about the Modular Vertical Sorter. Is this the new product for this year?
BvdV: “We introduced it last year in our customer days – a small exhibition where we invite customers to look at the ecosystem and show what we can do. We’re not only an IT company. We’re not only a mechanical sorting company. What makes these AMR so interesting for customers and why did we all jump on it? Because of the flexibility that they have, the very fast deployment time, but also if they need to change warehouse or change their operation, then their automation needs to evolve with them, to expand or in some cases even slimming it down a little bit. So we looked at traditional sorting and we said we need to do something similar, regarding visibility of the deployment rate and make it as easy as possible.
“The Modular Vertical Sorter was born to be very robust, very reliable, high capacity at lower speeds. But we needed to make it in a smaller package, which we can deliver very fast to help our customers, so they can extend if they need more capacity on site or even for example, if their peak period is over. It’s not even dismantling, just moving the sorter to a different place in the warehouse so that you get some operational work area back. It’s our standard vertical sorter, but we build it in modules. So you have a head and a tail module and a very large section of middle modules to extend the shoots with. We have the units in stock, so we can deliver. From the order to full integration on the warehouse floor in two to three months, which is unique in the market.
“What we usually see is that most customers are luckily for us on time with ordering their warehouse equipment, but it usually takes 6 to 9 months from order to implementation. We always have customers coming in the Spring and saying, do you still have availability, can we have a sorter for the for the peak season because we need to have that capacity. We unfortunately always needed to say no because it physically was not possible, but it is possible now. If customers come to us in June asking for extra peak capacity in November then that’s no problem. Use it, get extra capacity in their warehouse up to 10,000 pieces per hour. And if they don’t need it in their warehouse anymore after peak, they can basically pack it up. Takes a day. Put it in a different warehouse to gain extra capacity there or add some modules in between it as well to increase the sort capacity.”
LB: You have been future-proofing your portfolio.
BvdV: “We can do any anything from 500 pieces per hour up until 20,000 pieces per hour. That’s a very wide range. In every range of that sorting capacity we have very competitive portfolio. We are not just integrating. We control everything from a quality aspect from the purchasing part up until the integration and then the aftersales service.”
Automated picking and handling operations often require the usage of more than one technology in the robotic area. They should be both scalable and flexible. David Priestman got an update from a key player.
“We’re experts in the hardest area, which is individual item picking,” Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA) CEO Mark Richardson told me when we caught up with each other at LogiMAT. Having seen the hive OSRS storage and retrieval system close-up myself it is impossible not to be highly impressed by it. With OIA firmly planting its flag in the global materials handling industry, exhibiting at both LogiMAT and ProMat, having both the right mix of products combined with the best route to market is the name of the game now.
Robotic Area
As well as selling directly to non-grocery customers internationally OIA is going to leverage resellers to grow market share. The first deal announced, non-exclusively for the German-speaking market, was with Gebhardt Intralogistics Group. Gebhardt has a wide range of excellent handling and conveying systems, but not an ASRS. “We don’t have presence in Germany, so we’re looking forward to having access to a market that probably wouldn’t (readily) talk to us,” Richardson said. “It gives reassurance to customers that we have a presence. Gebhardt has a stellar reputation in the sector and across Europe, and we trust them to bring deep value and expertise to customers in the region. They have good mid-size capability.”
OIA is in discussion with a small number of other resellers internationally. “It was always our plan to use resellers,” Richardson added. “We’re picky about who.” He anticipates doing projects lead by and sold by Gebhardt (and other resellers) but also vice-versa, with OIA winning the business and taking the lead, utilising local installation, service and maintenance. Expect more announcements.
Call the Porter
The company is extending the ‘Chuck’ range of AMRs to automate further processes. ‘Porter’ is a new AMR pallet-carrier that drives pallets point-to-point, all using the Chuck tech-stack. 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 fulfilment capabilities.
“Customers might buy just the Porter or Porter plus Chuck,” Richardson informed me. “In existing operations it can be used as an inexpensive palletmover, collecting open or closed pallets and it can stack pallets immediately adjacent to each other, so there are no gaps. Porter takes us into the case handling and de-palletising robotics area, extending our product range. It will be used for inbound, from the dock door to the OSRS induct stations and loading into the grid – bringing the pallet to the decanter.”
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.
Finally, I asked Richardson for an update on OSRS projects being delivered. Canadian pharmaceutical distributor McKesson’s installation will be finished this summer, ready for final testing and go-live. “We have a full pipeline,” Richardson stated, “as well as bidding for many projects.” Watch this space and listen to our Logistics Business Conversations Podcast with OIA on Spotify and other platforms.
Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a manufacturer of collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), has announced the MiR VDA 5050 Adapter that bridges the company’s AMRs with VDA 5050-compatible third-party fleet management systems.
By simplifying integration to third-party systems, this new software adapter enables interoperability for warehouses, distribution centres and manufacturing facilities seeking a standardized approach to managing diverse heritage robot fleets, reducing integration complexities, and improving operational efficiency.
Initiated by the German Automotive Industry Association (VDA) and the VDMA Material Handling and Intralogistics Association, the VDA 5050 standard enables communication between multiple AMR robot types from various suppliers using a common control system. The standard allows customers to improve traffic management and coordinate operations when using different automated vehicles – from general AMRs to specialized vehicles such as forklifts and high-reach trucks.
“In today’s increasingly diverse automation environments, deploying mobile automation platforms that can communicate with each other no matter type or brand is especially important for material handling projects to be successful,” Kevin Dumas, Vice President of Product at MiR, said. “Our new VDA 5050 Adapter provides this multi-vendor integration to offer smooth deployment and configuration, compliance with industry standards and ongoing alignment with advancements and customer needs. It delivers our customers more choice and flexibility throughout their automation journey.”
Developed in collaboration
The MiR VDA 5050 Adapter is developed in close collaboration with MHP, SYNAOS, Siemens SIMOVE, and KINEXON – all of whom provide technical expertise to adapt the solution to the specific needs of third-party fleet management systems.
The adapter connects MiR’s existing RESTFUL robot interface with the MQTT protocols facilitating VDA message exchange between MiR AMRs and third-party systems. The VDA5050 Adapter is available worldwide through global certified system integrators. MiR will provide optional support agreements for continued updates and compatibility assurance as standards evolve.
As part of a company-wide digital transformation to overcome labour shortages, a leading Japanese 3PL company has commissioned an AirRob automated warehouse storage system from Libiao Robotics to serve its eCommerce business. The AirRob system is located in the company’s newly-built warehouse in the Tokyo metropolitan area, providing it with automated storage and retrieval functions for shoes, clothing, cosmetics and other products. This introduction is not only the company’s first installation of an automated tote handling system, but also the first AirRob system to operate anywhere in Japan.
Commenting on the decision to specify AirRob for the company’s new warehouse, its Business Manager said: “As Japan’s population declines, we need to expand our business scope. In order to strengthen the competitiveness of our logistics business, we focus on certain industries, especially improving our ability to handle a variety of small quantities of goods. In this trend, we expect to achieve the dual goals of high storage density and high operating efficiency, so when we first saw AirRob, we felt that this was exactly the solution we needed.”
Regarding the actual operation of the system, his colleague, the Director of the 3PL’s Innovation Promotion Office, expressed great satisfaction: “If we hadn’t used the AirRob system, we would have required at least 300 tsubos (about 1,000 square metres) of space, and the workers’ movement routes would have been very long, which takes a lot of time. Now we only need about 100 tsubos (about 330 square metres) to solve the storage problem. At the same time, employees don’t require too much training. They can operate by just staying at the workstation and scanning the code, so even those who join the company on the same day can start working straight away.”
As the warehouse is located on the third floor of a building, it was considered difficult to use automated equipment. However, in this regard the Business Manager said: “Even though we only have 4.5 to 5 metres of floor height here, we can store 6,000 SKUs in a 1,000-square-metre space. During the installation and deployment process, there was almost no change to the entire infrastructural environment, which has been a huge advantage.” Furthermore, AirRob’s lightweight design meant it could be installed on an upper storey of the Tokyo warehouse without compromising the load capacity of the floor.
Return on Investment
As Japan is one of the markets that is particularly affected by a labour shortage, the introduction of automated equipment must be precisely calculated. “Under the traditional model, the company often needed three forklift operators to handle 6,000 SKUs of goods , which was labour-intensive and time-consuming,” added the Business Manager. “After the introduction of the AirRob system, only one worker now operates calmly in the same working space. Not only has the labour cost been sharply reduced, but the operating efficiency has also increased exponentially, allowing the company to witness significant economic benefits in a short period of time. In addition, there is no need for additional electricity to drive air conditioners and other equipment in the storage area to maintain the environment, which effectively reduces energy consumption. After deploying this system, if expansion is required in the future, there is no need to re-lay power lines, etc.”
As part of its carefully planned mid-term business strategy, the leading 3PL company outlined two core development directions for its business. On the one hand, its focus is on analysing and strengthening the unique advantages of its logistics business by optimising processes and improving service quality; on the other hand, it is focusing on horizontal expansion, taking logistics as its foundation and actively exploring diversified business expansion paths to grow the company’s business territory.
In actual business operations, the company is keenly aware that it has accumulated rich experience in the field of multi-variety, small-batch cargo handling and this is where it has a unique advantage. It has found that the outstanding characteristics of the AirRob system are perfectly matched with this advantage. Its flexible storage architecture and efficient and smooth operation process not only meet the current small-batch and high-frequency logistics needs, but also offers strong scalability, providing a solid guarantee for the continued growth of future business and the richness and diversity of categories.
Logistics Technology Innovation
Over the years, this 3PL company has been at the forefront of logistics technology innovation and has worked hand-in-hand with its partners. From the initial introduction of the Libiao T-Sort 3D system at start of its exploration of automated logistics, through to the upgrade of the system in 2021 to optimise operations, mutual running-in and trust have gradually increased during this process. After initially deploying the T-Sort 3D system, the company experienced a significant improvement in sorting efficiency, saving 57% of space and helping it to become more and more receptive to Libiao’s solutions.
The addition of the AirRob system has now pushed this cooperation to a new level, leading the 3PL’s Director of the Innovation Promotion Office to say: “We still hope that Libiao can continue to launch innovative new products so that we can introduce them and turn them into our competitive advantage.”
At a ceremonial opening ceremony, Ms. Xia Huiling, CEO of Libiao Robotics, said via video link: “Today is not only the launch of a project, but also represents your attempts and recognition of new technologies. This cooperation is just a starting point. In the future, we will continue to work with you to create better solutions.”
The AirRob installation at this 3PL giant is the first of several new AirRob projects being installed in Japan in 2025, as warehouse robotics pioneer Libiao continues to achieve wider global acclaim for the many advantages AirRob holds compared to other AirRob-like systems.
An omnichannel warehouse differs from a traditional warehouse as it manages incoming orders from offline store, online webshop, and other possible channels. Megvii Automation & Robotics delve into why omnichannel warehouses are necessary and how they impact warehouse configuration and operations.
What is Omnichannel?
Before defining an omnichannel warehouse, it’s crucial to understand omnichannel commerce, which these warehouses support. Omnichannel is a kind strategy focused on providing seamless customer experiences across multiple channels, instead of providing a fragmented experience on independent channel. Statistics show that more than half of buyers always check a product online before buying through a physical store, and sometimes they purchase online after visiting the offline store. Omnichannel strategy is aimed to create a consistent experience at every touchpoint, whether customers shop online from apps, websites, emails, brick-and-mortar stores, social media channels, etc.
Omnichannel vs. Multichannel: What’s the Difference?
You may have heard the term ‘Multichannel’ and wondered about its differences from omnichannel. Here’s a breakdown:
Multichannel: Selling your product on various channels, which your customers can use to interact with you. You interact with customers via online or offline channels.
Omnichannel: Similar to multichannel, but it connects all channels. This means customers have a seamless experience across every platform. Without multichannel, there is no omnichannel.
Benefits of Omnichannel
– Boost Customer Experience and Loyalty:
Omnichannel strategies allow businesses to unify inventories for online and offline sales channels, integrating the entire process. This provides customers with unparalleled access to inventory and quick order fulfillment, creating a streamlined shopping experience. Improved customer experience leads to higher satisfaction and loyalty, with customers more likely to recommend the brand.
– Increase Sales and Revenue:
Studies show omnichannel customers spend more than single-channel customers. If customers can’t purchase goods through their preferred channel promptly, they may abandon the purchase. Omnichannel offers multiple purchasing options, enhancing the likelihood of sales. It also guarantees timely delivery, crucial for purchase decisions. Comprehensive inventory management prevents stockouts in individual channels, further boosting revenue. Omnichannel customers spent an average of 18% more compared to single-channel shoppers.
– Reduce Warehouse Footprint Costs:
Omnichannel fulfillment optimizes logistics and supply chain operations, efficiently fulfilling orders across channels. Retailers can use physical stores as fulfillment centers, leveraging existing infrastructure to expand their online reach.
– Better Understanding of Customers:
Effective data analytics help retailers understand online and in-store customer preferences, enabling more personalized experiences.
What Is an Omnichannel Warehouse?
After acknowledging what is omnichannel commerce, it would be easier to understand what omnichannel warehouse is and why it is so important to upgrade your traditional warehouse to an omnichannel warehouse.
In omnichannel supply chains, orders come from various sources, including store replenishments and e-commerce orders, putting pressure on order fulfillment infrastructure. Unlike traditional warehouses, omnichannel warehouses seamlessly execute order fulfillment (receiving, put-away, retrieving, picking, packaging, and shipping) for multiple channels within a single facility. The variation in order types contributes to diverse goods sizes, storage and picking formats, and packaging standards. Large retailers with extensive SKU mixes often implement varied automation solutions within the warehouse to meet these needs.
Omnichannel warehouses require more investment due to their complexity, shorter fulfillment times, and larger footprint. The Matrix8 solution can simplify omnichannel warehouse configuration. Matrix8, developed by MEGVII, integrates three modular subsystems to streamline fulfillment processes, employing heterogeneous robots in a single zone for comprehensive SKU storage and picking.
– MATRIX8 Storage Subsystem:
This high-density dynamic pallet storage system uses MEGVII self-developed four-way shuttle technology, offering high density, flexibility, and scalability. It supports high throughput, with some projects achieving up to 1000 pallets/hour. The MATRIX8 Storage+ subsystem combines four-way shuttles with AMRs for ground-level storage and retrieval, extending connections to picking stations and production lines.
– Matrix8 Hybrid Handling Subsystem:
The system employs heterogeneous robots in the same area to handle different types of container. Each robot type performs specific tasks, maximizing handling capacity and efficiency. The modular design allows flexible combinations to meet customized needs.
– Matrix8 Hybrid Picking Subsystem:
This G2P picking subsystem supports mixed storage of various container types, maximizing space utilization and eliminating subsequent consolidation processes. It optimizes picking processes for 2B and 2C business scenarios, enhancing efficiency.
Combining all three subsystems, Matrix8 supports comprehensive SKU storage, handling and picking, simplifying processes and reducing warehouse footprint.
Kuehne+Nagel has introduced a new robotised order sorting system from Libiao Robotics at its multi-client Châtres warehouse, situated south-west of Paris, France. The new technology is designed to improve productivity, accommodate high volumes during peak times, develop collaborative technologies to support human resources, and reduce repetitive manual tasks.
Logistics provider Kuehne+Nagel is automating its Châtres logistics centre in the Seine-et-Marne region by deploying collaborative autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) supplied by Chinese company Libiao Robotics. Kuehne+Nagel claims it is the first third-party logistics provider (3PL) in France to use automate order sorting in such a way, and the first of its warehouses worldwide to be equipped with the technology.
Dedicated to fulfilling orders for customers in the eCommerce and fashion sectors, the Libiao solution, “enables teams to maintain continuity of operations while remaining flexible and responsive, particularly during seasonal peaks or site changes”, explains Christophe Vandrome, Contract Logistics Director at Kuehne+Nagel France.
The robots – nicknamed ‘mini yellows’ by Libiao Robotics and its customers thanks to their distinctive colour – receive packed and pre-labelled parcels in their tilting platforms from warehouse operatives and transfer the parcels to the correct bin ready to go out for delivery. As well as saving time, the collaborative technology has led to a reduction in error rate, which is now close to zero, according to Kuehne+Nagel.
The integration of collaborative robots in warehouses is necessary, particularly in sectors where seasonal variations in volumes are significant. Robotic technologies are effective solutions for managing these fluctuations, not least because of their ease of use.
These collaborative robotic technologies, “are designed to meet customers’ needs while focusing on the well-being and efficiency of employees”, adds Vandrome. “Our teams are delighted to have these robots, because they enable them to reduce the drudgery of logistics tasks and concentrate on higher added-value operations such as personalising parcels.” The robotisation of the facility is also leading to the creation of new jobs and new skills in areas such as robot maintenance.
With around 50 Libiao AMRs, the Châtres installation was integrated by Körber Supply Chain Software, Libiao’s global partner-integrator for the past three years. The solution is a further building block in a wider project to adopt collaborative, flexible and scalable technologies. In an initial, successful pilot project, Kuehne+Nagel set up a system of nine Libiao robots deployed as part of a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) approach to help sort parcels, envelopes and goods. Thirty per cent of the orders placed during the last peak season were processed using the sorting robots during this first phase. The company has now gone one step further with a wider deployment of a new generation of robots to consolidate items by order.
Continental Mobile Robots, leveraging the power of Amazon Web Services (AWS), has developed new software solutions for Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR). The engagement focuses on managing the hybrid deployment of Continental’s scalable AMR navigation software stack, which powers multiple product lines such as intralogistics and agriculture. Continental has developed a robot autonomy software stack and worked with the AWS Prototyping and Cloud Engineering (PACE) team to accelerate its innovation journey and implement the first version of this solution.
The work between Continental and AWS helps customers manage deployments more effectively at scale over the lifetime of the robot. Features such as remote debugging and monitoring or streamlining the deployment qualification and onboarding process can be realized by detailed simulations. The stack also enables on-demand compute for AI modules to support for example safe navigation. The engagement continues AWS’ and Continental’s long-standing relationship and combines Continental’s expertise in AMR technology with AWS’ cloud capabilities to drive innovation and further accelerate the large-scale adoption of Mobile Robots.
“Innovation-driven services from AWS will help us to deliver state of the art Mobile Robots with outstanding safety and reliability. The platform has already been deployed successfully in first customer use cases in the Intralogistics environment. We look forward to bringing an industry leading experience for deployment and operations of our Mobile Robots to even more of our customers,” said Rahul Singh, Global Head of AMR Software at Continental.
“At AWS, we are adept at leveraging our industry expertise and purpose-built services, together with new and emerging technologies to help our customers experiment and push the boundaries of what’s possible in their sector,” said Adrian De Luca, Director of Cloud Acceleration for Asia, Pacific, and Japan, at AWS. “Our collaborative work with Continental across a number of areas demonstrates that through the power of the cloud and AWS’ deep industry knowledge, we can help customers unlock the true potential of Autonomous Mobile Robots for their industries.”
Software solutions for better control and monitoring of AMR fleets
Continental’s comprehensive AMR solutions comprise robot hardware, an advanced autonomy software stack and AI-enabled fleet management software supported by strong partners. Using AWS’ services, Continental Mobile Robots is developing a cloud-based platform for managing Mobile Robots that provides customers and partners with the flexibility to customize solutions to their unique industry needs. This scalable and flexible platform for successful AMR deployment and operations is built by a global team of experts from Continental Mobile Robots on AWS services with assistance and industry-specific guidance from AWS. Utilizing AWS’ serverless computing, analytics, machine learning and other advanced capabilities such as Internet of Things (IoT), Continental Mobile Robots aims to improve its technological infrastructure.
Home Bargains, a high-street discount retailer, has successfully implemented a large-scale automated marshalling solution from Lowpad at its Amesbury, UK distribution centre. This initiative addresses recruitment challenges and optimizes the final stage of its modern warehouse facility, creating a 24/7 operational marshalling solution managed by Lowpad’s fleet manager software.
Home Bargains’ Amesbury distribution centre faced significant recruitment challenges due to its remote location, requiring a large workforce for labour-intensive tasks. To alleviate the recruitment burden and reduce operational costs, Home Bargains implemented an automated marshalling process. The new system processes over 200,000 roll cages weekly using 91 Lowpad AMRs and 36 handover locations, 21 of which are fully automated.
Chris Tilly, General Manager of Home Bargains, praised the impact of Lowpad’s solution: “Lowpad has significantly reduced the number of workers needed, considerably decreasing staff numbers, helping us achieve our cost-saving goals and addressing our recruitment challenges.”
Lowpad effectively integrated new equipment with Home Bargains’ existing infrastructure, creating a fully integrated process. This streamlined, automated process now requires minimal manual intervention, from pallet intake into the warehouse to dispatch pick stock in roll cages, resulting in an effective, 24/7 operational system that significantly reduces the dependency on manual resources.
Jonathan van den Dool, Sales Director at Lowpad, highlighted the project’s success: “Lowpad’s automation solution not only streamlined Home Bargains’ operations but also addressed critical recruitment challenges. Implementing a fully integrated system in an existing and operational environment demonstrates our capability to provide effective brownfield automation solutions for retail distribution.”
Key features of the project:
– Processes over 200,000 roll cages weekly
– Utilizes 91 Lowpads, managed by Lowpad Supervisor software
– Includes 36 handover locations, 21 of which are fully automated
Locus Robotics, a leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for fulfillment warehouses, has announced that its valued customer, DHL Supply Chain reached the milestone of 500 million picks accomplished using Locus’ innovative LocusBot robots. This achievement underscores the transformative impact of Locus’ AMR technology on productivity and operational efficiency at an unprecedented scale.
The historic 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024, at DHL’s Toledo, Spain facility, where a LocusBot retrieved a consumer home goods product. While it took 2.5 years for DHL to reach the first 10 million picks, the next 100 million picks were accomplished in just 28 months. Remarkably, the last 100 million picks took a mere 154 days. Attaining this milestone exemplifies the power of human-robot collaboration and the exponential growth of the technology, with LocusBots seamlessly augmenting DHL’s human workforce to deliver unparalleled performance.
“At DHL, we are relentlessly focused on driving innovation and operational excellence through our Accelerated Digitalization strategy aimed at deploying automated solutions at scale,” said Sally Miller, Chief Information Officer at DHL Supply Chain. “Locus Robotics has been a trusted partner in this effort and this milestone achievement underscores the improved productivity, accuracy, and employee ergonomics we’ve enjoyed across our global network.”
With LocusBots deployed at more than 35 DHL-managed sites worldwide, the partnership between the two companies continues to thrive, setting new benchmarks for efficiency and performance in the logistics industry.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous achievement with our esteemed partner, DHL Supply Chain,” said Rick Faulk, CEO of Locus Robotics. “Their unwavering commitment to innovation and their trust in our LocusBot solution have been instrumental in attaining this remarkable milestone. We are proud to play a pivotal role in DHL’s ongoing success and look forward to many more milestones as we continue our collaboration.”
Locus Robotics’ multi-bot solution incorporates powerful and AI-driven, intelligent AMRs that operate collaboratively with human workers, dramatically improving productivity while reducing labour requirements compared to traditional fulfillment systems. This award-winning technology helps solve challenges faced by companies across multiple industries, including labor shortages, inefficient processes, and the need to meet ever-increasing throughput demands.
