AutoStore is the new
technology about warehousing. To clarify in dept what makes AutoStore
innovating we dive into the details of the technology of AutoStore. On this
page we will talk about the current state of the art and the expected future
developments of AutoStore, divided into hardware and software.
State of
the Art
In here we give overview in the current
situation and possibilities of AutoStore and talk about specifications and
details of this technology. This will give insights in what AutoStore really
consists of.
Hardware
AutoStore is based on optimizing the
utilization of the warehousing space and minimizing the time each order takes.
The warehouse is a grid where separate bins hang in rows next to each other.
The grid is an aluminium construction an can grow as large as possible, with a
maximum height of 5,4 meters. The length
and width are variable and can ben chosen to each demand. The dept can be
height to a maximum of 15 bins. One of the most desirable benefits with
AutoStore is the possibility to expand the inventory capacity without losing a
day of operation.
Before choosing the grid size, you need to make
a decision about the bins. There are two bins that can be chosen:
Everything of AutoStore is related to the bin
size you chose, and it is only possible to choose one type of bin. Different
bins won’t fit together in the same AutoStore Warehouse, because of the grid
and robot sizes.
On top of the grid there a certain amount of
robots. These robots can move across the complete grid in four directions:
forwards, backwards, left and right. Each robot is numbered and can carry one
bin at the time. They can reach a maximum of approximately 11 km/h.
The robots have electric engines and automatically
charge themselves when they are standing still for longer than five minutes.
Furthermore, there are two types of ports: a
conveyor port and a carousel port. The conveyor port is a convenient picking
and putaway port, mostly used for filling up the bins. The carousel port is a
high performance picking and putaway port, mostly used as a picking point. In
this carousel the next bin will always be ready to be picked, so there is no
time-loss by waiting for the next bin. It’s up to you to decide how many of
each ports you want at which place, in here there are many possibilities.
Finally AutoStore affects the total costs of
electricity. This technology is very energy efficient and reduces the total
electricity costs drastically. Approximately 10 robots use the same amount of energy
as 1 vacuum cleaner.
Software
A very important aspect of AutoStore is their self-developed
software: the RLS LogiCS Software. This software is known to be very standard
and easy to operate and is fully focussed on responsiveness. The software does
not include WMS or ERP. To manage your own warehouse and orders you would need separate
systems. These systems must be aligned with eachother to make sure no faults
occur during the daily activities.
The robots are only controlled by RLS LogiCS Software
which ensures the best possible order handling. It dramatically reduces the
chances of pick errors and increases the pick efficiency. This whole system
works fully autonomous. Through algorithms in the software the robots always
have the most optimized route plan and operate in the most efficient way. The software knows which products are in which
bin and also keeps track of the amount. When a bin is getting too empty, the
system will alarm to restock the bin.
Future Developments
Now that you know how AutoStore functions, you
might wonder how this piece of machinery can be even more efficient. Well
that’s what we would like to dig in as well. Through research we’ve come across
a contact at Hatteland AutoStore in Norway. Hatteland AutoStore is the
manufacturar and developer of AutoStore. The contact, Johan Kuijs, is
originally from Eindhoven and is currently living and working in Norway. He
stated that Hatteland AutoStore is always looking for improvements that can be
made on AutoStore. However, he also stated that no information can be given
that can jeopardize the future of AutoStore. Nonetheless, some minor spoilers
were given to indicate what kind of developments Hatteland AutoStore is working
on to ensure AutoStore’s future.
Hardware
AutoStore consists of multiple components, such
as the grids, robots and bins. Mr. Kuijs has stated that the bins will likely
not change in size, because this will result in a whole new system. The
standard sizes for these bins are 60x40 cm, with two different heights possible.
However, the robots can now hold a maximum weight of 30 kilograms. Hints have
been dropped that in the future those same robots will be able to carry more
weight.
After a robot has taken a bin it still needs to
get picked. As you can see in the picture the bins will have to be manually picked
by an employee. This can be extremely one-sided work and therefor is not
motivating for the employee that has to execute the job. Rumour is that
Hatteland AutoStore is looking for a way to make the picking automated. This
way it will no longer be necessary to have an employee work in an environment that’s
not satisfying.
Software
According to our sources AutoStore is using a
software which is quite easy and standard. Hatteland only focusses on removing
bugs and increasing the system’s efficiency. This is what makes the system as
functional as it is right now. Therefore integration with other systems from
the user will not get tangled by AutoStore’s software. However, the software of
AutoStore focusses on responsiveness. This means that orders that have to be
handled the fastest will have priority over orders that are bigger and naturally
take more time. When we visited Accell Group, we found out that the system of
AutoStore isn’t in line with the system that Accell uses. Accell focuses on
orders that originate from foreign countries first, because these orders will
take longer to reach their customers. AutoStore’s system does not recognize
this and Accell had to somehow make the integration of those systems work. With
the help of Hatteland, Accell managed to make this integration work in a way
that AutoStore now successfully recognizes the priorities in