Zebra Technologies has introduced its latest autonomous mobile robot (AMR) based picking solutions to help businesses improve fulfilment operations.
Consisting of three new AMRs – FlexShelf, FlexShelf Guide, and RollerTop Guide – and a new FetchCore fulfilment software package, the solution was developed for order or batch picking.
Zebra said these new offerings are designed to automate and digitise critical workflows in warehouses, distribution and fulfilment centres as order volumes increase, labour pools get more competitive and customer expectations continue to rise.
Fetch AMR’s can deliver up to three times increased productivity in fulfilment operations while total throughput in a facility is increased as a result of these new AMRs operating up to 50% faster than other fulfilment AMRs.
Read more: Zebra Technologies acquires AMR provider Fetch Robotics
Built on the Fetch Freight100 platform, the FlexShelf and FlexShelf Guide provide flexible configurations for bin sizing and spacing, which increases the types of items that can be picked using AMRs.
Both AMRs also aim to reduce worker training time and increase picking accuracy by incorporating put-to-light and pick-side lighting – a critical element during seasonal peak periods when order volumes and seasonal staff are at their highest levels.
Attracting and retaining staff is easier as the solution can reduce the amount of time pickers spend walking by up to 60%, and features like ANSI RIA R15.08 compliance to help keep workers safe, according to the company.
A forklift detection feature enables the AMRs to avoid forklift blind spots helping prevent damage to the AMRs. Businesses deploying the RollerTop Guide AMR can integrate each picking workflows with existing fixed conveyance, sortation and automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS).
Furthermore, FetchCore enterprise cloud software allows companies to quickly modify workflows on-demand for warehouse operations. It enables the dynamic orchestration of labour and robots by integrating with leading warehouse management systems and warehouse execution systems to optimise order, batch, case, and pallet picking workflows.
The fulfilment software package incorporates warehouse annotation, wave management, a pick heatmap, advanced fulfilment analytics and forklift detection features. The warehouse annotation feature superimposes the physical pick locations in a facility logically into FetchCore eliminating the need for QR codes and enabling AMRs to automatically adjust to reslotting within a warehouse.
