RoboShuttle catches the eye
Fast growing Chinese robotics firm Geek+ lit up the recent LogiMAT event with its ever-expanding portfolio of solutions.
WITH THE global logistics industry under pressure to deliver faster, smarter, and more sustainable operations, Geek+ is stepping up with three new solutions that aim to set a benchmark for intelligent automation.
The manufacturer’s RoboShuttle 4.0 system caught the eye, with rack climbing robots whizzing along in a bid to assist the firm’s established AMRs.
This speedy tote-to-person solution seeks to redefine high-volume order fulfillment with higher throughput and 5x
storage capacity. By combining RS and new RS Air robots, this solution handles both steady and variable traffic, making it suited for peak.
The firm also used the show to highlight dynamic slotting with the Shelf-to-Person solution PopPick v2. PopPick v2 delivers 67% higher efficiency than traditional picking methods and reduces the required footprint by 50%. The system’s dynamic slotting feature enables smarter inventory management, while its ergonomic PopPick Lite workstations prioritise operator comfort and safety.
While many Geek+ solutions are focused on smaller load form factors, it has also made further progress in terms of integration with pallet based operations.
SkyCube v2 integrates pallet storage and picking operations and offers up to 35% higher storage density than traditional automated systems and 5-8 times greater efficiency than floor storage. Designed for cross-floor operations, the solution integrates seamlessly with the software platform for unified scheduling, reducing rack steel usage and offering a cost-effective solution for large-scale operations.
Simon Houghton, director of sales Northern Europe, Geek+ told Logistics Matters that Geek+ was making fast progress in the UK market with a number of recent wins with top retailers.
“The speed of change in automation is remarkable, every few months we have new products and developments coming.
“AMRs are definitely here to stay, the big point of discussion now is hybrid solutions, combining different technologies to handle different processes and SKUs,” he explains.
Simon says that many of its customers are using robotic installations as part of staff recruitment and retention plans, boosting the image of the industry and emphasising the attractiveness of working in automated warehouses.
Recent labour cost increases prompted by Budget changes to national insurance contributions may also add impetus to companies that have previously been reluctant to automate.
“We are being contacted on a daily basis, as companies that have traditionally regarded themselves as managers of people start to consider automation more,” says Simon.
“This applies to SMEs as well. If you’ve got 12-15 people on a shift you will tend to see fast ROI from automation.”
It is exciting times ahead for Geek+, which has hired Morgan Stanley to help it file for IPO on the Hong Kong stock exchange. The company is anticipated to float later this year.
