In warehouse logistics today, everything revolves around automation and the use of state-of-the-art robotic systems. The people behind the automation are often overlooked. But they are essential, as only qualified employees control, maintain and supervise the automation systems. Swiss intralogistics specialist Swisslog is now focussing on this „human side of automation“.
On the occasion of its 125th anniversary this year, the provider of automated intralogistics solutions is underlining its commitment to human-centred automation and meets current challenges such as labour shortages and unattractive working environments with new solutions. People are at the centre of every project, says the Swiss company, which aims to support customers at every stage of the supply chain.
One example is refrigerated logistics. Working conditions here are often characterised by high levels of stress. It is difficult for many companies to find employees for the refrigerated area, says Markus Kirchhoff, Senior Vice President Sales & Accounts EMEA at Swisslog. „We have therefore developed our new AutoStore Multi-Temperature solution specifically for this area.“ The system Enables continuous storage in different temperature zones for the first time - from ambient to -25 °C - within a single system.
Last year, Swisslog realised its first project for combined dry, chilled and frozen logistics with the French company La Réserve des Saveurs. The new AutoStore Multi-Temperature technology enables the Simultaneous storage of fresh, frozen and dry products. Under the control of Swisslog's SynQ software, two systems stand side by side, connected by a conveyor belt: one for chilled products, the other for fresh products with two deep-freeze modules. Picking and replenishment are then centralised at a single point.
The new solution reduces reliance on manual labour by automating the storage and retrieval of chilled and frozen goods. Employees now have to work less in harsh and cold environments. This in turn ensures More safety in the workplace, reduces fatigue and improves working conditions overall.
With more than 400 projects, Swisslog is now a leading global integrator for the Norwegian company's robot systems Autostore. In combination with Swisslog's AI-based, fully automated robot picking solution ItemPiQ and the SynQ warehouse management software, processes can be automated and intelligently controlled step by step. Added to this is a constantly growing portfolio of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), ranging from pallet transport to rack-to-person systems.
With its current solutions, Swisslog aims to show how automation can be human-centred and prove that technology is only truly intelligent when it is puts people at the centre.
packaging journal 3/2025
