Newegg Commerce, Inc., an e-commerce company for technology products, has introduced a shelf-to-person mobile picking system that uses autonomous mobile robots (AMR) in its warehouse in Ontario, California.
The AMR system was set up so that a fleet of robots operates within a designated area, where they lift and carry mobile shelves to workstations. Employees then pick and scan products to prepare them for shipping to customers.
The solution was supplied by warehouse automation specialist Geek+ and reportedly includes 24,360 storage locations for products within hundreds of shelves.
Software, also provided by the robotics company, is used to assign duties to the bots based on the nature and volume of inbound customer orders.
The P800 robots, after moving across the warehouse floor and parking under a rack, lift the rick and carry it to an employee to pick the products. According to Geek+, the bots can reach speeds of more than 3.5mph and can lift and transport weights in excess of 2,200lbs.
The AMRs can also rotate the racks to provide products from two opposite sides.
The company has reported increased efficiency and accuracy after the deployment of the robots, and that the AMRs have enabled products to be picked, packed and shipped faster than use of traditional manual picking methods.
“We’re optimistic about seeing improvements in picking efficiency and storage space optimisation with the new Geek+ robotics system in our Ontario warehouse,” said Tim Zhou, IT manager for Newegg.
“Newegg pursues advanced technology solutions throughout our business to offer the best services for customers, so this new system is part of fulfilling that commitment.”
One of the key benefits of the system, as highlighted by Geek+, is that the robots can assume repetitive and physically demanding tasks, allowing workers to be redeployed value-added activities.
It added that they can also be used to cut down on employees’ walking time and reduce the physical strain and risk of injuries among manual picking processes.
Geek+ is a finalist for the first-ever Robotics & Automation Awards in the Best Use of Robotics or Automation in Retail and Innovation in the Warehouse categories. Interested in attending this unmissable event for the robotics and automation sectors? Book your table now!
