Calling London - Swisslog to revolutionise urban fulfilment

Yet, meeting that demand requires moving inventory closer to those consumers, where land is scarce and high-priced. A new innovation being pioneered by Swisslog may present a solution to this challenge. It is building on the principles of the future-ready warehouse—flexible, data-driven and robotic—to create a family of compact, movable material handling modules that can be quickly and easily deployed to almost any location—and redeployed as needs change.

The fundamental building block for this innovation is one of the true workhorses of logistics: the humble shipping container.

The standardised modules with integrated storage and conveying automation can be configured together to adapt to a wide range of requirements. One of the keys to configuration flexibility is the versatile Connection Module, which features conveyor connections at the front, back and sides, as well as the ability to support elevators for vertical connectivity, enabling numerous system configurations.

Additional modules provide dedicated inventory storage, carton and bin handling, and customer pickup using proven material handling technology. Supported by Swisslog’s integrated SynQ WMS platform, these modules, when connected directly to each other or through the Connection Module, support true plug-and-play configurability and re-configurability.

Swisslog believes the modules will be suitable for a wide range of applications across the supply chain, but the impetus for their development is urban fulfillment and support for last-mile delivery. 

With their plug-and-play connectivity, automated container-based modules can support distribution centres as simple as a single storage module to supplement in-store inventory or as sophisticated as a complete multi-story fulfillment centre with automated customer pickup. 

This as a new innovation but much closer to reality than you might expect. Initial specifications for individual modules for this product, which we call QTainer, have been developed. Swisslog is actively engaging with customers that want to be part of the development process. 

For more information on QTainer, read Swisslog's new white paper, Mobilizing Inventory and Increasing Flexibility Through Container-Based Automation Solutions.