Robotic Piece-Picking for AutoStore: Integrating RightHand Robotics

Technology Overview

Robotic piece-picking represents a significant advancement in automating the most complex and variable task in warehouse fulfillment: selecting individual items from inventory. This technology moves beyond automated storage and retrieval to address the "last mile" of automation within the picking process itself. The solution highlighted integrates specialized robotic arms, such as those from RightHand Robotics, with the high-density storage and retrieval capabilities of an AutoStore system. This creates a closed-loop, goods-to-robot workflow where AutoStore delivers bins containing specific items to a robotic station, and the robot performs the precise task of identifying, grasping, and placing the correct item into an order container. This integration is orchestrated by sophisticated software that manages the entire sequence, aiming to deliver unprecedented speed, accuracy, and labor efficiency.

How It Works

Core Principles

The core principle is a hybrid automation model combining cube-based storage with robotic manipulation. The AutoStore system acts as a high-density goods-to-person front, delivering bins with required SKUs to a picking port. At the port, a robotic arm equipped with advanced vision and gripper technology identifies the target item within the bin, picks it, and places it into an outbound order tote or carton. The entire process is managed by orchestration software that synchronizes the AutoStore robots and the picking robot.

Key Features & Capabilities

The solution's foundation is its ability to seamlessly integrate robotic piece-picking arms with AutoStore systems, creating a powerful combined automation cell. The intelligence of the system lies in the software that acts as the conductor, orchestrating the entire multi-robot operation (AutoStore bots and picking arm). The robotic arm is capable of picking and placing thousands of different products at high speed, handling the variety typical of e-commerce. A critical outcome is its ability to eliminate human picking errors, thereby ensuring near-perfect order accuracy. Furthermore, it is designed for integration with AutoStore, the eManager WMS, and other warehouse management software, ensuring it fits into existing IT landscapes.

Advantages & Benefits

The system is designed to deliver a strong Return on Investment (ROI) through labor savings and increased throughput. It directly improves operational efficiency, enhances pick quality, and can operate during unfavorable working hours, providing flexibility. This technology is viewed not as a sudden disruption but as the evolutionary future of logistics automation, representing the next logical step. Adopting it allows businesses to gain critical competency and know-how in robotic piece-picking, positioning them for future advancements.

Implementation Considerations

Successful adoption requires customers to be willing to adapt their existing workflows, organizational structure, and operational processes. It is not just a technology install but a process transformation. Therefore, gaining new internal competencies and know-how is a necessary part of the journey. Effective change management is essential to navigate the organizational shifts required by this evolving technology.

Use Cases & Applications

Ideal For

This solution is ideal for medium to high-volume e-commerce, retail, and distribution operations that already use or are considering AutoStore and are looking to automate the final, manual piece-picking step to achieve full end-to-end automation.

Conclusion

The integration of robotic piece-picking with AutoStore, as offered by Element Logic and RightHand Robotics, marks a pivotal evolution in warehouse automation. It successfully bridges the gap between automated storage and the final, complex task of item selection. While it requires thoughtful implementation and organizational adaptation, the potential rewards in efficiency, accuracy, and ROI are substantial. For companies using AutoStore and facing labor challenges or seeking next-level performance, this robotic piece-picking solution represents a strategic and forward-looking investment. As the industry consensus suggests, robotic piece-picking is an inevitable evolution in logistics—progressive companies are advised to start their journey now to build the necessary competencies and secure a competitive advantage for the future.