Fetch Robotics' new case pick-to-pallet solution

Fetch Robotics has announced a new integrated case pick-to-pallet solution with Körber. The new solution dynamically orchestrates the movement of warehouse staff and robots, combining the power of Fetch's Freight500 and Freight1500 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with the optimisation capabilities of Körber's warehouse management systems, supporting case picking workflows for facilities of all sizes.

"Warehouses today are contending with record order volumes and limited access to labour, and need flexible solutions more than ever before," says Stefan Nusser, chief product officer at Fetch Robotics. "Our new case picking solution enables customers to achieve safer, more efficient case picking in facilities of all sizes."

In a traditional case pick-to-pallet workflow, pickers spend the majority of their shifts driving a forklift or pulling a manual pallet jack around the warehouse to each location on their pick sheet or RF device. After arriving, the picker must manually find the correct product, execute the pick, return to the forklift or pallet jack, and travel to the next location until the entire pallet is complete. While this model is widely used, it comes with extensive drawbacks. Often, it requires travelling long distances and leading to congestion in warehouse aisles as multiple pickers are using the same routes.

The new case picking solution from Fetch and Körber enables zone-based picking, which keeps employees in aisles and enhances picking across numerous orders. This workflow leverages pick path optimisation functionality from the Körber WMS, which directs AMRs to the correct locations in the correct sequence for optimal pallet build. This solution can be deployed via RF scanners, voice picking, or along with vision-based picking solutions.

Moreover, it offers substantial safety benefits. Each year, over 11% of all forklifts are involved in an injury, and a single work site injury can cost facility owners an estimated USD150,000. Leveraging AMRs in a zone picking environment enables distribution centres to reduce reliance on manually operated forklifts, especially throughout congested areas. Hence, combining Fetch's automated materials handling capabilities with Körber's WMS, facilities realise benefits almost immediately.