Thanks to continuous innovations in software, robots and workstations, AutoStore now offers an enormous variety of applications right up to the high-performance range. The automated storage and picking system can currently handle three different container sizes and is suitable for use at temperatures from -25 to +35 °C for a wide range of items in non-refrigerated, refrigerated and deep-freeze environments.

Technology for maximum speed

The performance of the AutoStore system has made great progress, particularly with the introduction of the router software. This innovation gave a significant boost to the entire technology. Robot performance was increased by 40%, throughput per grid was quadrupled and the number of robots per grid was doubled. AutoStore has thus advanced into the high-performance area of goods-to-person picking. Large systems with a volume of 100,000 bins, 320 robots and 26 RelayPorts achieve outputs of 10,000 bins per hour, which corresponds to 30 to 40 double cycles per robot. The average time required to process an order is around three and a half minutes.

The Swedish online fashion retailer Boozt.com operates the world's largest AutoStore with over 1 million bins, 1,150 robots and around 300 ports. Fast deliveries are essential for the e-commerce retailer, especially during peak periods such as Black Friday. According to its own calculations, the fastest order from check-out in the online store to delivery from the warehouse took just 63 seconds. Thanks to the short processing times, rush orders can be processed and the time for orders to be dispatched on the same day can be pushed back. On its most efficient day to date, Boozt retrieved 190,000 items in 24 hours.

Anticipating change and growth

A decisive advantage of AutoStore technology is its simple scalability. Companies can implement both small and large grids with different throughput rates, depending on the number of robots and workstations. This means that both systems with a high storage capacity and low to moderate performance as well as high-performance systems can be implemented. This flexibility makes it possible to adapt each system to current performance and capacity requirements. This minimizes the investment risk for operators with regard to uncertain business developments.

The average uptime across all systems worldwide is currently 99.7% and AutoStore is working to further optimize availability.

Flexible fulfillment of B2B and B2C orders

Warehouse operators who have items from different clients and process B2B and B2C orders in parallel can process all orders from one AutoStore despite different quantities and order structures, as all items can be accessed from every workstation. All picking strategies can be mapped, whether single-stage (pick/pack), two-stage with consolidation function, as a single or multi-order workstation or even directly connected to automatic packaging machines. The flexibility to adapt each system to changing order structures or business models at short notice makes AutoStore a versatile solution for companies of all sizes and with different requirements.

Shape the future of your warehouse with automation solutions from AutoStore and contact our team