Goods-to-person
Brings bins or shelves to a fixed picking station so employees walk less.
Warehousing and fulfilment
Robots for order picking
Automating order picking starts with the goods flow. See which robots bring goods to a picker, support walking routes or actually grasp products.
The task
What does this robot do?
An order-picking solution can guide employees to the right location, bring bins to a workstation or pick up items with a robot arm. Those are different tasks. The assortment, the order structure and the existing WMS determine which approach is relevant.
In practice
What is this solution used for?
Pick assist
Guides the picker along locations and supports collecting and checking.
Robot picking
A gripper and vision system pick suitable items from a bin or off a conveyor.
Supply and removal
Mobile robots bring order bins to consolidation, packing or shipping.
Business considerations
When does automation become interesting?
Use these signals as a starting point for research, not as a guarantee of a result.
- Many repeated order lines and walking metres
- Predictable packaging or item shapes
- A WMS that can exchange tasks
- Peaks in which capacity has to move along quickly
Comparing technologies
Which approach fits the task?
Goods-to-person
Moves stock to people. The person picks and assesses items; the system mainly reduces walking work.
Autonomous grasping
A robot arm picks items itself. Variation in shape, grip and packaging determines which products are feasible.
Models
Robots for this application
Linked on the basis of the recorded application and robot type. Check the suitability for your process per model.
Exotec
Skypod
Warehouse robots · Order picking
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Geek+
P800
Warehouse robots · Order picking
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GreyOrange
Ranger Assist
Warehouse robots · Order picking
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Locus Robotics
Origin
Logistics robots · Order picking
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Locus Robotics
Vector
Warehouse robots · Order picking
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Quicktron
M100
Warehouse robots · Order picking
View robotSuppliers
Suppliers for this application
These suppliers are linked to the robot models shown. Check delivery area, integration and service directly with the supplier.
What does implementation require?
The robot choice follows from the workplace and the process. Discuss these points before comparing models.
- 01Map orders, items and exceptions.
- 02Test packaging, weight and fragility of products.
- 03Check the WMS link, scan moments and error handling.
- 04Decide on space for picking stations, charging points and safe routes.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about warehousing and fulfilment
What does an order-picking robot do?
Depending on the system, it brings goods to a picker, supports the picking route or picks items itself.
Does every warehouse robot pick products itself?
No. Many mobile robots move bins or shelves; the picking then remains human work.
Is goods-to-person the same as robot picking?
No. With goods-to-person, stock comes to an employee. With robot picking, a robot arm grasps the item.
Can order picking work with an existing WMS?
That differs per system. Check the interfaces and process agreements with the supplier.
Which items are suitable for autonomous grasping?
Shape, dimensions, packaging, weight and fragility determine whether a gripper can work reliably.
Compare solutions for your situation
Start with the task and then test model, supplier and implementation.