Warehouse automation supplier Invar Group has reached an agreement to supply autonomous case-handling robotic (ACR) systems developed by manufacturer Hai Robotics to its customers in the UK, Europe and the USA.
The autonomous order-picking robots can pick and place totes or cartons on shelves up to 7m high and are able to carry up to eight loads at a time, offering a continuous feed for goods-to-person picking stations. The HaiPick solution increases storage density by 80-130% and improves operational efficiency by over 300% compared with a manual process.
To date, more than 2,000 HaiPick robots have been deployed in more than 200 ongoing projects worldwide. The latest application of the technology at Australia’s largest online book retailer, Booktopia, has boosted picking and dispatch efficiency by 800% at the company’s 14,000m2 distribution center in Lidcombe, New South Wales.
Craig Whitehouse, managing director of Invar Integration, said, “These are exciting times. Robotics has transformed automation in the warehouse. Their flexibility, scalability and low-capex appeal offer huge advantages over fixed solutions. Hai Robotics has a fantastic range of intelligent ACRs, well-suited to the varied demands of fulfillment applications, and so we are delighted to include Hai Robotics’ advanced ACRs in our fast-expanding solutions suite.”
Kane Luo, vice president of sales for Hai Robotics, said, “The partnership will be able to offer warehouse operators a unique and innovative solution that delivers higher fulfillment volumes, at lower operation costs and with better distribution efficiency.”