Giraffe helps Brightpick reach new heights

WHILE BRIGHTPICK recently sold 3D machine vision brand Photoneo to Zebra Technologies, the robotics firm is not resting on its laurels.

In fact, Brightpick has unveiled the Giraffe, a robot system capable of reaching up to 6 metres. With this, Brightpick users can now achieve up to three times the warehouse storage density of manual operations and double the density compared to the previous Brightpick robotic picking solution.

Jan enthuses: “We are supplying a very cohesive system that will tackle different warehouse processes. For example, fast-moving SKUs can be picked directly from pallets into order totes carried by the robots. This simplifies replenishment and eliminates the need to decant and putaway fast movers.”

Brightpick Giraffe is designed to work alongside Brightpick Autopicker robots. It retrieves storage totes from upper-level shelf locations and delivers them to lower levels, where an Autopicker can access them for picking (up to a height of 11 feet / 3.4 m). After the pick is completed, Giraffe returns the product tote to its original upper-level storage location.

The system maximises both density and throughput by storing slower-moving items on upper levels (accessible to Giraffes) and fast-moving products within easy reach of Autopickers on lower levels. In a typical setup, the solution will include one Giraffe for five Autopickers, creating an optimal balance between cost, density, and performance. Beyond their primary tote retrieval function, Giraffes can also handle inventory replenishment and order picking using Goods-to-Person stations.

The Brightpick Giraffe features a telescopic lift that retracts during travel, reducing its height to a compact 2.6m. This design ensures easy deployment in warehouses, as each robot arrives pre-assembled, enabling customers to seamlessly add Giraffes to their fleet with minimal installation time and effort.

Jan says: “Brightpick has always excelled at providing high throughput and maximum labour savings at a competitive price. Now, with Giraffe, we deliver these same benefits as well as improved warehouse space utilisation through expanded storage density.

“It’s about more than picking though, the system can also tackle replenishment, decanting, order buffering, and pack-out. Robotic picking on its own is not such a big competitive advantage on its own. Creating the right business model will be part of the right innovation. 

“I think people will appreciate RaaS more and more. As a warehouse occupier do you really need to own the robots? Over the next five years the robots will be better and smarter, so having them on a subscription basis might make a lot more sense.”

The system is already seeing success. Two US companies are set to install Brightpick Giraffe in 2025. Ecomm retailer The Feed is an existing Brightpick customer currently operating 48 Autopickers at its Colorado fulfillment centre. The Feed will expand its system with an additional 25 Autopickers and 6 Giraffes, boosting throughput by 50% to 75,000 picks per day – and doubling storage capacity.

The second customer, medical wholesaler McGuff Company Inc will deploy 12 Autopickers and 4 Giraffes at its California warehouse. This integrated system will enable a throughput of more than 850 picks per hour, ensuring precise handling and faster fulfillment of critical medical products.

Brightpick has experience in a variety of industries including pharma, eComm, grocery, cosmetics and small electronics.

For more information, visit www.brightpick.ai