AutoStore launches AI-driven robotic piece picking

THE PICK of the bunch is arguably CarouselAI – a robotic piece picking system and launches also include an all-in-one workstation, an expanded product range for Pio, a cost-efficient service area, a comprehensive software package, and various software enhancements.

AutoStore chief product officer Parth Joshi, says: “Today’s unveiling of our latest releases underscores our dedication to customer-centricity, empowering businesses to boost productivity and reduce costs through advanced automation. I’m especially proud of CarouselAI, which leverages automation and AI to better serve our customers, along with a new world-class Essentials Software Package that supports every stage of the customer journey – from pre-sales to system operations and analytics.”

He adds the future is going to be about solving more complex problems, catering to more use cases and helping out with adjacent processes also.

Does that mean AutoStore will focus on end-to-end robotics solutions for the warehouse, as other vendors have done?

Parth answers: “Our focus is on cube storage, it is still early. We think this a $400bn market potentially, so there is a huge white space opportunity. We believe our solution has by far the best combination of density, velocity and reliability.”

CarouselAI

CarouselAI is AutoStore’s first turnkey robotic piece-picking solution and has been purpose-built for AutoStore in collaboration with Berkshire Grey. CarouselAI is designed to automate labour-intensive, costly, and error-prone order-picking tasks with consistent, high-productivity performance. It can operate 24/7, delivering 99.5% accuracy and offering best-in-class SKU coverage, says the firm. This further improves the AutoStore solution ROI, with a typical payback period now 1.5 to 2 years. Existing AutoStore customers can seamlessly upgrade their CarouselPort 4.0 to robotic picking with the CarouselAI Upgrade retrofit solution. Upgrade will be available for order through AutoStore partners from the summer. 

Parth explains: “High accuracy, AI-enhanced vision tech powers CarouselAI. I don’t believe in using AI for the sake of it but AI will also make its way into analytics and reporting products, we believe. Vision is the first example, but there is more coming. People will see two big product announcements from us each year going forward.”

Pio

Automation isn’t just for the big players. Pio aims to make automation accessible and affordable for everyone, from small startups to rapidly scaling eComm brands. Pio expands its product range with the P200, P400, and P600. These standardised products simplify the journey to automation with their plug-and-play design, ensuring easy deployment (days or weeks rather than months) and stress-free integration. Pio products are now also available through selected AutoStore partners.

Parth explains: “We announced the first version just a few months ago and had positive feedback on the P100, which is why we have expanded with P200, P300, P600. These are all supported by an OPEX focused subscription model. We are also opening up Pio to go through our partner network. We see this appealing to SMEs and larger companies that need to service smaller locations.”

VersaPort

AutoStore has also launched the VersaPort, which conceals all moving parts to provide frontline employees with a sense of workplace safety to boost employee retention.

Service Tower

Service and maintenance areas are crucial for any warehouse automation initiative, but they can be hard to justify when they impact allocated resources. The Service Tower ensures businesses can fully leverage their funding and space for value-generating processes while still allowing for efficient service and maintenance work. With the capability to transport robots via a lift and personnel by a set of stairs, the Service Tower eliminates the need for a costly mezzanine-level service area and heavy equipment. Service Tower is available for order.

Essentials software package

With the Essentials package, businesses can maximise the AutoStore, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency through data analytics. The essentials package will be implemented for all new AutoStore customers from June 13, 2025. 

Software enhancements

Significant improvements have been made to both cube control software and the data platform, Unify Analytics. These enhancements provide customers with improved uptime and density. Customers can now dive into extensive live data from their AutoStore systems, gaining insights to optimise operations.

For more information, visit www.autostoresystem.com