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New sorting robot solution launched for Australia and New Zealand

Cohesio Group, part of Körber Supply Chain has launched a new sorting robot solution as the number of pop-up distribution centres and dark fulfilment stores in Australia and New Zealand rises.

Designed for limited spaces, the Körber AutoSort Mobile solution is set to give logistics operators the opportunity to maximise operational capabilities through flexible, affordable and scalable automation.

Boasting some of the biggest names in retail and logistics on its roster, Cohesio Group has deployed autonomous solutions for Wesfarmers, Bollore and CEVA Logistics, among others.

This new solution will compliment Cohesio Group’s current portfolio of enterprise-grade solutions including voice-powered technology and goods-to-person automated mobile robots (AMR), manufactured by Zhejiang Libiao Robotics Co., Ltd. (AIC Systems), a modern high-tech enterprise specialising in R&D, manufacturing and the sale of robotic products.

Nishan Wijemanne, CEO of Cohesio Group said since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant surge in e-commerce and online shopping consumers.

He said in order to fulfil this challenging demand, many of the Group’s clients are exploring further opportunities in automation.

“We have listened to their requests for more scalable and affordable automation solutions – whether that be automation installed in limited spaces or mezzanine levels or those that can be quickly deployed in pop—up DCs or dark fulfilment store. I am very proud to add the new Körber AutoSort Mobile table-top sorting AMR solution to our existing AMR portfolio,” Nishan said.

 

The Körber AutoSort Mobile offering differs from a traditional sortation system in that it does not require a fixed track.

The solution uses free-moving, independent robots that help businesses reduce their heavy reliance and investment in fixed automation. Instead, the Körber AutoSort Mobile AMRs offer greater scalability at a comparatively economical investment and thus a much quick return on investment.

It utilises AMRs that allow dynamic sortation, taking the shortest and most direct path. This kind of flexibility offers significant efficiency and productivity gains over a traditional cross belt or shoe sorter. As this solution can also be operated on a table-top, this form of picking or sortation offers increased flexibility during peak periods, such as what has been seen during COVID-19.

“Robots can be added during peaks in demand, and the system expanded at any time. The system can be very easily redeployed elsewhere in the warehouse when needed. This is particularly helpful when you see spikes in demand for specific SKUs, like we know retailers have experienced during COVID-19,” Nishan said.

According to the Group, the capital required for deploying the Körber AutoSort Mobile solution is up to 60 per cent less than a traditional sortation system.

Ravi Nath, Head of Automated Solutions at Cohesio Group said he is confident that this new offering will shake up warehousing and logistics operations in Australia and New Zealand.

“As the level of investment is notably lower than traditional sorting methods, and we can offer implementation timeframes of as little as three to five months, this system generates more than twice the ROI of traditional sorting systems,” he said.

Rizan Mawzoon, Head of Transformation at Cohesio Group said with this solution, if there is any failure it will only impact one single element, enabling the solution to continue.

“The Körber AutoSort Mobile requires shorter lead times and significantly less space than traditional sortation systems. A further advantage is that there is no single point of failure anywhere in the system. We know that conveyor downtime can be a huge cost to any operation,” he said.

The Körber AutoSort Mobile can be utilised for picking, sortation, table-top and mezzanine sortation and is capable of handling goods of up to 25 kilograms.

Additional robots can be added to the operation in a matter of seconds, ensuring that there is no interruption in workflow or downtime.

“The use cases for this kind of automation are vast, whether it’s a large-scale e-commerce operation, retailer, 3PL or freight provider. Simply put, it’s for anyone who has a volume or pop up requirement for sorting products,” Nishan said.

The leading technology provider was acquired by Körber in September last year, and recently announced that it would join eleven other sister companies under the umbrella Körber Supply Chain.

The united brand will become a leading international technology provider with a diverse range of capabilities spanning software, automation, voice, robotics and material handling equipment.

Learn more about Körber AutoSort by clicking here.

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