Dynamic, scalable solution for modern warehouse automation

Toyota Material Handling Europe’s automated warehouse transport system combines the Toyota SAI125CB Automated Counterbalance Stacker with T-ONE Control System, intelligent automation software. Swarm Automation Transport easily fits into any major warehouse flow, supporting various warehouse activities and seamlessly integrates into any complex warehouse environment. This holistic solution is particularly valuable for businesses handling multiple pallet types, like euro pallets or bottom-deck pallets, or requiring specific handling procedures such as turned pallet loading.

In support of warehouse efficiency, this new dynamic solution can be deployed for fully automated performance, engineered to operate in sync with other AGVs including Toyota’s automated reach trucks. For businesses combining automation with manual handling, the system supports a hybrid, semi-automated functionality, optimising productivity through effortless coordination with conventional warehouse trucks.

This solution is perfectly suited to a wide range of industries, including warehouse logistics, industrial production and manufacturing, retail distribution and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), food retail, as well as other dynamic sectors such as parcel delivery, airport operations and e-commerce.

Transport and storage for conventional racking

Swarm Automation Transport offers a practical and cost-effective solution for businesses looking to start their automation journey. Ideal for stacking near conveyors or cells, this solution can also benefit existing automation users who aim to maximise their ROI, as it integrates easily with different fleet types. Pallet storage can be done up to 5 m in height, with a maximum of 12 m when paired with other Toyota automated reach trucks.

“Swarm Automation Transport marks a major step in our mission to make automation accessible to every warehouse,” says José Maria Gener, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Toyota Material Handling Europe, “By combining the strength of our automated counterbalanced stacker with the intelligence of our automation software T-ONE, we’re giving customers a scalable solution that elevates safety, efficiency and performance across their entire operation.”

Further reinforcing its commitment to responsible design, Toyota Material Handling equips its latest solution with high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries and automatic charging capabilities. The result is reduced overall energy consumption, smooth recharging and longer usage cycles. The 360° Personal Protection System integrates sensors, scanners and bumpers for an overall safer experience.

Automation at every level

Swarm Automation Transport is highly beneficial for generating streamlined fully automated and semi-automated workflows. It is also perfect for managing repetitive transport tasks, pallet handling in buffer areas and for optimising replenishment processes.

Their latest automated solution represents Toyota Material Handling Europe’s continued commitment to developing technologies that elevate safety, efficiency and scalability across every layer of the supply chain.

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Available for ‘ANT driven’ AGVs and AMRs, SmartPass is a robust, safe, and highly configurable technology that meets the core efficiency goal of obstacle avoidance without the drawbacks of traditional AMRs. SmartPass suits all types of automated vehicles and industrial sites.

No matter how clean a site, and how well trained its staff, the paths of mobile robots sometimes become blocked… AGVs typically manage this situation by sending an alarm to an operator, while AMRs take any route possible, without limitation. The first can lead to transport delays, the second to traffic deadlocks. SmartPass effectively bridges the gap between the two.

commented BlueBotics’ CEO, Dr. Nicola Tomatis.

Bridging the gap between AGVs & AMRs

SmartPass enables automated vehicles to follow virtual paths most of the time — for efficient, robust, and repeatable operation — while performing pragmatic obstacle avoidance maneuvers when blockages are detected.

“Rather than layering basic traffic management over obstacle avoidance functionality — which AMR producers have attempted with limited results — SmartPass does the opposite,” Tomatis explained. “It adds smart, configurable obstacle avoidance to ANT navigation’s default ‘virtual path follower’ mode. This ensures the powerful traffic management features of our ANT server fleet manager are also applied to SmartPass maneuvers.”

Three key SmartPass benefits

ANT’s SmartPass function offers three key benefits that together are unique in the mobile robot industry:

1. Efficiency-focused movement
   • Vehicles using SmartPass take the shortest route around an obstacle — within pre-configured limits — before returning immediately to their virtual path.
   • SmartPass-enabled vehicles also move faster than traditional AMRs. Travelling at optimal speeds and with optimal acceleration, they follow virtual paths and respect clear traffic rules most of the time, switching to slower, more reactive speeds only when needed.
   • Vehicle actions like moving forks and communicating with equipment take place during SmartPass maneuvers, saving time versus the more common sequential approach.
   • SmartPass maneuvers are blocked near pick/drop points to guarantee precision.
2. Minimizes deadlocks
   • By managing the movements of vehicles within the ANT server’s existing traffic management framework, SmartPass guarantees that vehicles only avoid obstacles when there is no risk of blocking another robot, minimizing the chance of deadlocks.
   • Vehicles only move around objects and never around other vehicles, a further cause of deadlocks.
3. Fully configurable
   • SmartPass can be configured to suit every user’s site and operational needs. Customers can define, for example, the maximum distance a vehicle is allowed to travel from its virtual path; the areas (and even individual routes) of a site where SmartPass cannot be used; and vehicle-specific parameters such as the exact distance to stop before an obstacle.

“SmartPass doesn’t allow robots to roam freely, and it is built from the ground up on ANT server’s powerful traffic management, virtually eliminating the chance of deadlocks,” Tomatis added. “We are confident this safe, prudent approach best meets the needs of industrial customers looking to deploy AGVs and AMRs in what are often high-traffic locations.”

SmartPass is available now for vehicle makers, system integrators, and end users deploying ‘ANT driven’ AGVs/AMRs managed by BlueBotics’ ANT server fleet manager.

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At the International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo humanoids stole the show once again. Machines that walk, grip, and gesture like us have an undeniable magnetism, part science fiction promise, part genuine engineering marvel. Yet behind the spectacle, logistics leaders are asking whether these machines deliver demonstrable ROI, or if the industry is chasing a compelling idea that cannot yet scale.

Investment banks are certainly bullish. Morgan Stanley forecasts a global humanoid robot market worth $5 trillion by 2050, with deployment rates eventually reaching one machine for every ten humans. Those forecasts may well prove directionally right over decades. But logistics buyers don’t invest on 2050 narratives, they invest based on what can be deployed, integrated, and scaled in the next 12–24 months.

Innovation is only real when scaled

I’ve had countless conversations with CEOs in this industry who express frustration about being trapped in endless pilots and struggling to achieve meaningful traction. The pattern is familiar; exciting technology, impressive demonstrations, but no clear path to the kind of measurable, referenceable customer value that drives genuine adoption. What’s changed in warehouse automation is that customers are no longer rewarding novelty, they’re rewarding repeatable, referenceable outcomes delivered fast, in brownfield sites, under real volatility.

While there has become a hyperfocus on humanoids, most of the attention is driven by the fact that they generate a big reaction. We live in a world where reaction doesn’t equate to return on investment. Tim Tetzlaff, Global Head of Digital Transformation at DHL, captured this dynamic perfectly when he said: “Innovation is only real when scaled. Otherwise, it’s just a nice idea.” Too many robotics companies have compelling ideas but struggle to scale effectively, missing the chance to create meaningful customer impact. In practice, the winners in this cycle are the firms that scale through software-defined flexibility, not the ones chasing the most cinematic demo.

There’s a real risk that funding will dry up as ambitions collide with reality. Training robots through thousands of hours of simulation can produce impressive physical capabilities, but it grants them little genuine understanding of how the real world actually works. Warehouses are messy, stochastic environments: congestion, mixed Stock Keeping Units (SKUs), shifting priorities, human variability, and peak swings that don’t show up in lab conditions. Physical AI only becomes meaningful when systems learn from millions of real tasks in production. Purpose-built fleets do that every day, they don’t just learn how to move, they learn how the operation actually behaves. Purpose-built warehouse robots accumulate vast operational experience in the environments they are designed to serve. They know the warehouse floor because they have worked it.

The Gap Between Demo and Deployment

This gap between demonstration and deployment is the crux of the matter. Promotional videos may show humanoids performing acrobatic feats, but none can yet walk into an unfamiliar warehouse and reliably execute the complex, repetitive tasks that drive logistics operations. The most advanced humanoid models on the market today are still positioned as research platforms rather than production ready solutions. Production environments don’t just need a capable robot, they need an orchestration layer that can integrate with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), balance priorities in real time, and keep performance stable through peak periods.

As such, I expect 2026 to bring a wave of consolidation across the robotics sector, as companies locked into humanoid development face mounting pressure to demonstrate tangible commercial value. We’ll see the hype start to fade as customers and investors demand real world results, creating an environment where only the purpose built will survive.

The Opportunity in Front of Us

Here’s the reality that often gets lost in the humanoid excitement, we estimate that less than ten percent of warehouses globally have sufficient levels of automation today. The opportunity isn’t to build robots that look like humans. It’s to build the right solutions for the right tasks. That’s also why flexible automation is winning: operators want capability they can deploy in weeks, scale up or down, and reconfigure when volumes or product mix shift. In a world of uncertainty, adaptability is the real throughput advantage.

At Locus Robotics, we’ve moved beyond Person-to-Goods automation to define an entirely new category: Robots-to-Goods. Robots can now autonomously pick, move, and replenish inventory, performing tasks that previously required multiple human touches. But the hardware is only one piece of the puzzle. The real breakthrough comes from integrating Agentic AI with Physical AI to create systems that sense, decide, and act as one. The value isn’t one heroic robot, it’s a software-defined operation that keeps improving because it learns from the work. Warehouses become cohesive ecosystems rather than disconnected islands of automation.

The Financial Times suggests Japan, with its shrinking population and cultural openness to robotics, could become one of the first major democracies to experiment with widescale humanoid adoption. Perhaps. But for logistics leaders making investment decisions today, the question is not whether humanoid robots are impressive, they unquestionably are, but whether they can deliver the demonstrable, referenceable ROI that operations demand. Purpose built robotics already can and already do.

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At the heart of Atomix’s solution is its ‘1+4’ technology platform. The ‘1’ refers to Atomixer, an AI-native orchestration software platform that enables real-time coordination of heterogeneous robotic fleets while integrating seamlessly with existing WMS/WCS systems.

The ‘4’ represents Atomix’s four families of self-developed robotics, including 4-way pallet shuttles, pallet AMRs, and tote Storage Transfer Robots and Tote AMRs, designed for high-density storage, flexible handling, and efficient picking. These technologies are modularly combined into three subsystem solutions — ‘Storage Mix’, ‘Handling Mix’, and ‘Picking Mix’ — allowing system integrators to configure scalable automation systems tailored to specific warehouse needs.

A key differentiator of Atomix is its ability to orchestrate heterogeneous robotic fleets within the same environment. Powered by advanced AI algorithms such as MAPF and decentralized deadlock avoidance, Atomixer enables seamless collaboration between different robot types and third-party equipment, optimizing warehouse operations in real time.

Demo Centre

Globally, Atomix works through a partner-based delivery model, providing core technologies and products while local system integrators deliver project implementation and lifecycle services. With over 500 projects across 20+ countries, Atomix has built long-term partnerships with companies including Coca-Cola, Nestlé, Toyota, Yum China, Lotte, ITW, and Lenovo, achieving a 71% customer renewal rate.

In Europe, Atomix continues to expand through local integrator partnerships. The company has recently opened a Demo & Experience Centre in Belgium to support partners and customers across the region. Recent projects delivered in Romania and Greece demonstrate the flexibility of Atomix solutions across industries such as manufacturing and cold-chain logistics.

Visitors to LogiMAT 2026 are invited to meet the Atomix team to explore AI-powered automation solutions and discuss partnership opportunities. If you would like a free visitor ticket you can register here.

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Autonomous robots

First up is Dr. Marcus Scheunemann, Head of Autonomy for Dexory, who believes the top trend will be the subject of autonomous robots: “2026 will mark a significant step towards full autonomy for robots. Advances in AI paired with increasingly sophisticated robotic control systems are allowing autonomous machines to interpret their surroundings more precisely and manage unpredictable situations better. As these technologies mature together, we will see a noticeable shift in what autonomous robots can reliably handle without human input.

“This shift will pave the way for organisations to operate entire fleets with far less day-to-day oversight. If this pace continues, it’s fair to say we will reach a point where most routine operational tasks could run independently, with only very unusual scenarios still requiring human support. Achieving this level of autonomy within the next two to three years would set a new standard for how autonomous systems perform in real-world environments and represent a significant milestone for the entire robotics sector.”

Warehouse visibility

Todd Boone, Vice President North America, Dexory picked the issue of visibility in warehouses: “In 2026, true warehouse intelligence based on data rather than assumptions will shift from being a novelty to becoming a standard expectation. Customers will increasingly require insights they can act on, drawn from rich and comprehensive data sets rather than simply faster inventory counts.

“As this shift accelerates, the limitations of drone-based solutions will become more apparent because they do not capture enough of the right data to meaningfully influence operations at scale. As warehouse visibility and analytics mature, organisations will expect full-spectrum intelligence, making partial solutions far less viable.”

Agentic warehouses

Divya Gautam, Head of AI, Dexory focuses on agentic AI: “2026 will be the year the warehouse becomes ‘agentic’. The industry will move beyond passive visibility, where AI surfaces endless unprioritised alerts, to active intelligence where autonomous systems interpret context, reasons, and recommend the next best action. Competitive advantage will shift to warehouses that turn raw data into autonomous decision-support by using AI agents that collaborate with human teams to resolve issues faster and more accurately.”

Collaborative agents

Finally, Oana Jinga, Chief Commercial & Product Officer & Co-Founder of Dexory, opted to discuss collaborative agents: “In 2026, multi-AI agent systems will become the backbone of next-generation warehouse automation. Instead of a single monolithic software controlling operations, warehouses will deploy collaborative AI agents — each specializing in tasks such as real-time inventory perception, traffic optimization, predictive maintenance, labour allocation, and exception handling. These agents will communicate continuously with each other and with fleets of autonomous robots, enabling a fluid, self-optimizing warehouse ecosystem.”

8 Areas to optimise

The warehousing industry is evolving faster than ever. Rising customer expectations, growing SKU complexity and global supply chain pressures demand faster fulfilment, better use of space, and uncompromising safety. Yet for many warehouses, inefficiency persists – lost pallets, underused aisles, and inconsistent data updates. The question is no longer if automation drives ROI, but how fast you can capture it.

That’s where optimisation comes in. High levels of stock integrity mean warehouses can operate with faster, more reliable workflows and optimal use of resources. But once inventory health and visibility are firmly in place, the next step is to unlock the full potential of your operations through targeted, AI-driven optimisation strategies.

By enhancing the flow of goods, maximising space utilisation, and refining processes, operations can keep pace with rising demand with precision and speed. Dexory outlines eight areas for warehouse optimisation – from real-time visibility and block stack digitisation to AI-powered consolidation planning and weight restriction monitoring:

1. Inventory integrity as the cornerstone of efficient operations
   High levels of stock integrity mean warehouses can operate with faster, more reliable workflows and optimal use of resources, while enabling confident decision-making and minimising operational disruptions.
2. Real-time visibility that turns blind spots into insights
   Only 6% of logistics companies report full visibility over their operations. This gap can mean missed opportunities, safety risks, and slower fulfilment.
3. Block stack storage visibility without disruption
   What if you could eliminate the blind spots in deep storage areas? No more guessing, lifting, or forklift repositioning. Just evaluating discrepancies in real time, such as missing, miscounted, or incorrectly placed items.
4. Pick face optimisation for smarter cycle counts
   Every day, the WMS generates a cycle count list. You know most of it is wasted effort, but you still have to check every single location. Instead, how about shrinking the cycle, freeing up resources, and finally getting control of your pick face locations with maximum efficiency?
5. Maximising storage utilisation
   AI-powered consolidation planning can identify opportunities to group compatible items together while avoiding conflicts like mismatched batch codes or incompatible products. This reduces wasted space and unproductive travel time between storage locations. Optimal space utilisation and efficient stock handling bolster long-term reputational gains by showcasing operational excellence and dependability.
6. Improved compliance and safety with advanced slotting verification
   Every warehouse faces risks from incorrect slotting. By aligning slotting with both safety and efficiency, warehouses ensure that they remain audit-ready, compliant, and secure.
7. Faster fulfilment, no picking delays
   Poor replenishment leads to picker delays, slow order fulfilment and reduction in storage efficiency. But with advanced robotics and automation systems, warehouses can achieve faster fulfilment and throughput without extra headcount.
8. Weight restriction monitoring for safer, risk-free warehouses
   Overloaded bays and racks put staff and infrastructure at risk. Manual checks are slow, error-prone, and often inconsistent. At the same time, WMS rules are static, they don’t
   prevent live overloads. With the right use of automation, warehouses can ensure risk-free operations where safety is never compromised.

The post Warehouse Technology Predictions appeared first on Logistics Business.

Highlights of its portfolio include the H125 shuttle, claimed to be the world’s first 20-wheeled 4-way pallet shuttle, which offers exceptional stability, enhanced battery life, and flexibility. The company aims to empower warehouses across various industries in Europe and the United States with more mature solutions, making intralogistics safer and easier to use.

ZS Robotics says it has a plan to establish a subsidiary in the Netherlands in the second half of this year,
providing timely and comprehensive support to European clients. With over 200 successful project implementations across the globe, the company has sharpened its edge in 4-way shuttle warehouse automation solutions tailored to diverse environments and product types across industries such as food, pharmaceuticals, cold chain, retail, energy, manufacturing, and 3PL. The solutions are aligned with the global push for safer, greener, and more efficient industrial practices amid intensifying space and labour shortages.

“At ZS Robotics, our focus is singular: to solve the last 0.01% of challenges in the deployment and operation of automated warehousing projects using our four-way shuttle technology, relentlessly refining our products to achieve genuine safety and ease of use in warehousing,” said Gianni Girolami, Sales Director, Europe, at ZS Robotics.

ZS Robotics’ technology is reliably applied in over 1,000 4-way shuttles deployed across the globe, serving clients from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, as well as Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. These systems, leveraging key innovations including a cold chain camera system, and advanced cluster scheduling, have effectively eased installation and maintenance, enhance safety and ease of use.

“We aim to solve the warehousing challenges of customers across various industries as comprehensively as possible with a more complete, integrated hardware and software product portfolio,” Girolami stated, emphasising that ZS Robotics has obtained multiple safety compliance certifications, including EU CE. “We don’t just deliver technology. We empower our customers to master it.”

ZS Robotics’ key exhibits will be H150 shuttle and its self-developed ZSmart Intelligent Platform (including
WCS, WMS, RCS, and control terminals). The company will also highlight the H125 shuttle and the Single-
Position Lift.

• The H125 Shuttle: A lightweight and more powerful 4-way shuttle, and industry-unique 20-wheel
  model. Despite its compact size (L1106×W940×H125mm), it delivers a powerful 1,500 kg load
  capacity, ensuring exceptional stability and durability in warehouse operations.
• The H150 Shuttle: A mature and highly reliable workhorse, extensively validated across numerous
  projects for its robust performance.
• Single-Position Lift: A space-efficient in-rack lift that occupies only a single storage position,
  regardless of location, significantly increasing overall warehouse storage density without layout
  constraints.
• ZSmart Intelligent Platform: An integrated software suite (including WMS, WCS, and RCS) that
  leverages advanced algorithms to optimise warehouse efficiency and provide a user-friendly
  interface for seamless operations.

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Debuting at LogiMAT Stuttgart, March 23–25th, TAL unites the combined strengths of Bastian Solutions, Vanderlande’s Warehousing business, and viastore under one brand formally launching on April 1, 2026. This powerful combination enables the delivery of scalable systems, intelligent software, and comprehensive lifecycle services – all with the quality and reliability associated with the Toyota brand.

“Thomas Hibinger and Aaron Jones have a solid track record of strong performance leading two of our warehouse automation businesses. Their vision has shaped the future of automated warehousing and guided the delivery of innovative and pragmatic solutions to solve customers’ complex and shifting logistics challenges,” said Hitoshi Matsuoka, Central CEO, TAL. “Their appointments as regional CEOs reflect TICO’s commitment to build on the collective depth and breadth of our world-class technologies, software and services while delivering a seamless customer experience across regions.”

“I look forward to this new chapter, allowing TAL to bring automated logistics to the next level by combining our global strength and expertise under one roof,” states Thomas Hibinger, CEO, EMEA and APAC. “Warehouse and fulfillment operations never stop, nor are they constrained by time zones or geography. With this unification, we aim to deliver greater scalability, innovation and long-term value for our customers worldwide.”

The fast-growing market for warehouse automation is spurred by greater demand for next- or same-day deliveries, ever-faster throughput, absolute order accuracy and optimal warehouse performance. Through seamless integration across the automation landscape, TAL addresses these needs end to end. This approach supports organizations at every stage of their automation journey, whether taking the first steps to automate manual processes in legacy warehouses or refining the advanced distribution centres relied on by the largest e-commerce platforms and the global fulfillment operations of leading brands.

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When Maersk set out to transform its e-commerce fulfilment operation for its Danish retailer customer Flying Tiger, it faced a familiar modern logistics dilemma: how to scale rapidly, cope with extreme seasonal peaks, and maintain service levels, all within the constraints of an existing warehouse footprint and with tight implementation timelines.

The answer at its Wrocław facility in southern Poland came in the form of autonomous mobile robotics from Locus Robotics. I was lucky enough to be invited for a tour of this impressive site which, albeit not one of Locus’ largest installations by far, nevertheless highlights in a nutshell what cutting-edge robotics can bring to a project to drive efficiency and cost savings. My visit just so happened to be during the Christmas peak, which gave me particular insight into how well things were going.

The site serves as the central European hub for all of Flying Tiger’s European online orders (retail fulfilment remains out of Copenhagen), shipping orders across the EU from a single 5,700 sqm operation. Since going live in May 2023, it has become a showcase for how robot-assisted picking can deliver speed, flexibility and cost control in a fast-growing retail environment.

High-Growth Under Pressure

Before automation, the pick process was struggling. Manual productivity was running at around 40 order lines per person per hour, well below the 120 lines per hour target. The operation was characterised by long walking distances (up to 20,000 steps per picker per day), aisle congestion, heavy trolleys, long onboarding times and a growing risk of errors and injuries.

With Q4 volumes peaking at five times the average and only 22 weeks before the next peak season, Maersk needed a solution that could be deployed quickly, scaled easily, and funded in a way that avoided heavy capital expenditure.

Bots to the Rescue

After analysing a range of goods-to-person and person-to-goods automation options, Maersk selected a
mobile robot ‘person-to-goods’ RaaS (Robots-as-a-Service) model offered by Locus Robotics. The decision was driven by several key criteria: flexibility, rapid deployment, low upfront cost, ease of integration and the ability to scale both labour and automation in line with demand.

The RaaS commercial model was particularly attractive, for instead of committing to a fixed fleet size,
Maersk can scale robots up and down according to volume. This was an important advantage for a business shaped by influencer-driven spikes and intense seasonal surges. Just as importantly, the solution could be implemented in the existing building, which has a height limit of 12.2 m and no scope for major structural changes.

From decision to go-live took just 16–18 weeks, a timeline that was later recognised by Locus as one of its fastest and best implementations in Europe.

How it Works

At the heart of the operation is a fleet of Locus Origin robots, a nimble autonomous mobile robot designed for collaborative picking. Associates remain in their aisles while robots travel between locations, presenting the next task and carrying multiple totes for batch and multi-order picking.

Orders are orchestrated by the LocusONE platform, which integrates with Maersk’s INFOR WMS and dynamically clusters tasks to optimise pick paths, balance workloads and maintain service level priorities. The system supports multiple workflows, including batch picking, pick-and-pass, and point-to-point transport, enabling Maersk to adapt processes as volumes and profiles change.

Each robot guides the associate through the pick with a clear, multilingual interface (important to have in this region of Europe, close to the Czech/Slovakian borders), product images, tote position indicators and
built-in scanning. Locus’s patented autoidentification technology recognises the worker based on proximity, automatically switching the screen language to the associate’s preferred setting, a major benefit in such a multicultural workforce.

Navigation and fleet management are handled by proprietary AI, which continuously optimises routes,
avoids obstacles and balances robot traffic across the floor. The result is a system that can be deployed in
brownfield environments with minimal infrastructure changes and no fixed conveyors.

Transformational Results

The impact at Wrocław has been dramatic. Pick productivity has increased from 40 to 140 order lines per hour – a 250% improvement, if my maths is right. Onboarding time for new staff has been reduced from three days to just 20 minutes. Average walking distance has dropped from 20,000 steps to around 8,000 per day, significantly reducing fatigue.

The number of active packing stations has been increased from 16 to 40, and despite a reduction in available aisles for picking, overall throughput has increased substantially. Service performance has improved too, with 60–100% of parcels now shipped within 24 hours, and the Christmas cut-off date brought forward by six days compared to 2023. As I stood there watching order pass by in front of me, Flying Tiger seemed to be doing a – pardon the pun – ‘roaring’ trade in seasonal wrapping paper.

From a financial perspective, the results are equally compelling. Maersk has said that the introduction of Locus has significantly reduced pick process costs, equating to a 33% saving even after including the robot service fees. Forecasts for full-year 2025 point to a further 24% cost reduction.

There have also been significant soft benefits. For example, the site has recorded zero push-and-pull
injuries, sick leave has fallen by 15%, and employee retention has improved by 8%, reflecting a more attractive, less physically demanding type of work. I love to hear about those sorts of benefits.

Flexibility and Scale

For Locus, the Wrocław project is a textbook example of its core value proposition, namely unmatched flexibility and unlimited throughput. Unlike fixed automation, the Locus approach allows Maersk to add or remove robots in minutes, introduce new workflows without disruption, scale from dozens to hundreds of robots as volumes grow, and operate across multiple shifts or 24/7 without physical reconfiguration.

The platform has already proven capable of supporting 25,000+ units per hour on a single site and handling 150,000 lines in a single day in other deployments. While the Wrocław operation does not yet operate at those extremes, the architecture ensures that throughput can grow well beyond current requirements.

Crucially for Maersk, this flexibility aligns perfectly with Flying Tiger’s volatile demand profile. Whether
reacting to a viral social media trend or preparing for a Q4 surge, capacity can be adjusted simply by deploying more robots.

European Blueprint

The Wrocław project was Locus’s first major automation deployment in Europe with Maersk and is already being viewed as a blueprint for other sites. The modular nature of the installation makes it easy to replicate in additional warehouses. From Maersk’s perspective, the collaboration has demonstrated that high levels of automation do not require long lead times, heavy CapEx or purpose-built facilities. Instead, robotics can be layered onto existing operations to deliver rapid, measurable improvements.

For Flying Tiger, it means faster order fulfilment, better service levels for customers across Europe, and the confidence that its logistics partner can keep pace with growth.

A Modern Model

As European ecommerce continues to grow, and as labour markets remain tight, the Maersk–Locus–Flying Tiger partnership offers a compelling model for other retailers and 3PLs. By choosing a flexible, rapidly deployable robotic solution, Maersk has transformed a struggling manual process into a highperformance
fulfilment engine capable of absorbing growth, coping with volatility, and delivering measurable financial returns.

For Locus Robotics, Wrocław stands as a high-profile demonstration of how its technology can support complex, high-growth operations in real-world conditions. And for Flying Tiger’s customers across Europe, it simply means their colourful household items, party accessories and impulse buys will arrive faster and more reliably than ever.

The post Easy Robotics for Flying Tiger appeared first on Logistics Business.

Rob Fisher, who transitioned from a publishing background to leading UKMHA, shares his insights on the industry’s evolution, emphasizing the critical role of safety and training. The discussion highlights the historical significance of IMHX and UKMHA’s strategic partnership with Informa Markets, which plays a pivotal role in shaping future industry events. A key focus of the conversation is the importance of fostering a robust safety culture, illustrated by innovative initiatives such as the forklift mock trial, which aims to enhance safety awareness and preparedness.

Rob also discusses the modernization of safety standards through thorough examinations and the adoption of digital tools, which are transforming traditional practices.

UKMHA’s commitment to workforce development is evident in its new technical training hub, designed to cultivate skilled service engineers essential for maintaining industry operations. The episode delves into the transformative impact of automation, including the integration of autonomous forklifts, and how these advancements are reshaping logistics operations and improving warehouse workplace safety.

Rob Fisher outlines strategies to attract younger talent and promote diversity within the sector, addressing common misconceptions and highlighting the dynamic career opportunities available. Furthermore, UKMHA’s advocacy efforts in navigating Brexit, ensuring CE marking continuity, and engaging with EU legislation are crucial in maintaining the industry’s global competitiveness.

The conversation concludes with a forward-looking perspective on the future of materials handling technology and the expansive global opportunities awaiting the logistics sector. Listeners are encouraged to stay informed about the latest industry innovations, safety practices, and workforce development trends by subscribing to the podcast and sharing these valuable insights.

Listen Below

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At one end sits the newly introduced purple-coloured ‘AntOn by Jungheinrich’ brand, designed to address a segment Jungheinrich had not previously targeted with its traditional yellow trucks.

“Typically, these are small to mid-sized customers,” explained Nadine Despineux (pictured with Peter, above), Member of the Board of Management at Jungheinrich, speaking exclusively to Logistics Business at the event. “They buy two, three, four, five units. They don’t have 24/7 high-performance applications. It’s important for them to have a truck available when they need it, but they don’t use it all the time.”

AntOn’s trucks are manufactured in China by electric specialists EP Equipment. Unlike Jungheinrich’s highly configurable core range, AntOn trucks are standardised and built to stock, making them well suited to distribution partners and e-commerce channels. “When you need consultancy and tailored configuration, you typically go through direct sales,” Despineux said. “Jungheinrich is predominantly direct. AntOn is predominantly partner and distribution business.”

Quality control, she stressed, remains non-negotiable. An OEM centre in Shanghai oversees supplier management and compliance, while vehicles are tested again in Germany. “Trust is super relevant. Safety is super relevant,” she said. “If customers cannot build on that trust, there is no reason they would ever move from AntOn to a yellow truck.”

That yellow portfolio is now undergoing one of its most comprehensive electric renewals in years. The redesigned 1i pallet and double-deck truck series focuses on compactness, lithium-ion scalability and integrated safety features, with vehicle fronts shortened by up to 152 mm for improved manoeuvrability in tight warehouse environments.

In the 48-volt counterbalance segment up to 2.0 tonnes, the fully redesigned EFG 2/2i and 3/3i models deliver up to 15% improved space efficiency through reduced turning radii and compact design, alongside enhanced ergonomics and AI-supported assistance systems.

For heavier applications, the new EFG 5 series provides up to 15% higher handling performance via a two-motor drive system and SRM+ lift motor, positioning it as a fully electric alternative to diesel trucks in the 4.0–5.0 tonne class.

High-bay productivity is addressed with the ET

V 4i reach truck, offering what Jungheinrich describes as market-leading lifting and lowering speeds and fully integrated lithium-ion technology to minimise downtime in multi-shift operations.

Looking further ahead, the dramatic (and currently unpainted) new FalcOn prototype showcases high-voltage architecture in a 5-tonne counterbalance truck capable of ultra-fast DC charging up to 150kW, underlining Jungheinrich’s ambition to electrify even the most demanding heavy-duty segments. This truck has been introduced to offer the performance of a diesel equivalent, but with a much cleaner environmental profile.

Despineux positioned the combined portfolio as a strategic continuum rather than separate product silos. Customers today, she noted, sit at different stages of operational maturity. “They are on this tipping point: when does it make sense to invest into automation? What is the right solution? They are searching for partners who can help them on that journey.”

That journey increasingly includes rental and refurbishment models designed to enhance flexibility and reduce carbon impact. “Many customers prefer OPEX over CAPEX,” she said. “Optimising a complete fleet is a huge leverage.” Refurbishment and reintroduction into the market “closes the cycle of sustainability”.
From entry-level purple to high-voltage yellow, Jungheinrich’s message is clear: whatever stage customers are at, be it manual, mid-tech or fully automated, the company intends to offer a solution.

Despineux concluded,

As a company, if you have the opportunity to say yes, there is a solution that is powerful. Having somebody you can trust is super relevant

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