With the fully automated fulfilment solution Brightpick, Rohlik, Parent company of the German online food delivery service Knuspr, increase the efficiency of its fulfilment centre in Prague.
The Rohlik Group is continuing to drive forward the automation of food order processing: the use of Brightpick is a pilot project that is 3D vision with AI algorithms, modern mobile robotics and intuitive fulfilment centre optimisation software united. The test project is expected to start in Prague in summer 2022.
„Automation is a decisive factor for growth and increasing the efficiency of supply chains. It enables even faster and more precise order processing, with the customer ultimately benefiting from our innovative approaches to improving customer service.“
Tomáš Čupr, founder and CEO of the Rohlik Group
The walking robots from Brightpick are seamlessly connected to automated robot picking stations. This is done using innovative software that optimises the picking process and simultaneously controls the walking robots, picking robots and order consolidation. Brightpick robots are used, to autonomously transfer containers with products to the advanced 3D vision-controlled robot arms with AI object recognition for order picking and then transport the completed orders through the rest of Rohlik's delivery preparation process. According to the manufacturer, the walking robots are able to fulfil their tasks in 15 seconds or less.
„The potential of this next-generation warehouse automation technology is immense as it is highly configurable and scalable, adapts to changing business needs and has no weak link. It helps to optimise processes, save space and increase efficiency compared to manual work. Brightpick's end-to-end, fully automated fulfilment solution can be implemented within a few days, is easily scalable from 500 to 10,000 picks per hour and can also consolidate orders from different zones without a conveyor belt. All in all, it can fulfil up to 100,000 orders per day.“
Jan Žižka, CEO of Brightpick
The solution will be integrated into the existing supply chain processes during the test phase in order to improve the end-to-end fulfilment process. „The unique thing about this test project is the segmentation it enables, prepare several orders at the same time and prioritise the best-selling goods“, explains Aleš Malucha, Chief Automation Officer of the Rohlik Group. „We want to test two application examples in this pilot project - in processing with 900 picks per hour and in handling with 2,000 container movements per hour. If the requirements of the pilot project are met, we will move to the introduction of this solution in our other fulfilment centres into consideration.“
Following the successful outcome of the pilot project in Prague, the Brightpick service will also be rolled out in the German locations of Munich and Hamburg. As announced in 2021, the Knuspr Fulfillment Centre in Garching near Munich is currently already equipped with AutoStore - an automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The automation in Garching will be followed by a gradual roll-out in the Rohlik Group's existing and new European stores. In the first phase, 45 million euros have already been invested in automation, and up to 400 million euros are to be invested in the expansion of further department stores by 2025.
Source: Raw material
