Global logistics services provider Rhenus Logistics has deployed autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at its warehouse in Switzerland as part of its automation of goods-to-person picking operations.
The self-driving shelf system was designed to allow the AMR to select the shelf holding the product that needs to be picked, then take the goods to workstations where employees can handle the items.
This is the first installation of this technology at Rhenus’ warehouse in Basel, Switzerland. The facility contains 13,320 shelf spaces.
Two of the sites’ major customers are toy wholesalers Waldmeier and Max Bersinger, both of which Rhenus says are set to benefit from its recent investment in automation.
Philipp Bittner, Chief Operating Officer at Rhenus Logistics, said, “After receiving the positive feedback from our colleagues in Hong Kong, it was very easy for us to follow suit.
“The AMRs not only optimise our processes but also help us to reduce energy consumption.”
Rhenus hopes to strengthen its partnership with AMR supplier Geek+ by embarking on additional projects to automate its global network of warehouses, with the next scheduled collaboration reportedly taking place in Switzerland in 2024.
Geek+ exhibited at IntraLogisteX 2023 in March. IntraLogisteX is returning to the NEC, Birmingham on 19-20 March 2024, once again co-located with Robotics and Automation and with the new addition of the Sustainable Supply Chain Exhibition.
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