Following successful tests, Zalando plans to install up to 50 more Nomagic picking robots in its European distribution centres. The robots use AI to handle picking, scanning and placing items to automated pocket sorters at the individual item level. The first systems are already in operation at the German sites in Lahr and Mönchengladbach, as well as in Italy in Verona. Further units will follow at the logistics centres in Rotterdam, Stockholm and Paris as well as at the new site in Giessen, which is set to begin operations later this year.
The systems can also pick difficult items such as shoe boxes. Conventional robotic systems often fail due to loose lids that slip when lifted. The new Shoebox Picker solves this problem through a combination of AI-supported image recognition and special grippers that secure the box from two sides. The technology recognises the shape and position of each box in real time and adapts the grip individually.
The robots handle the gripping, scanning and sorting of items. Using computer vision, the system continuously learns and adapts to the changing product range. This ensures high accuracy and short turnaround times in the complex logistics process.
Zalando praises Nomagic
“The trial phase has shown that Nomagic’s robotics are an excellent fit for our needs, says Marcus Daute, Vice President of Logistics Network at Zalando. “Given our scale, we need intelligent automation that supports our processes. By transferring simple, repetitive tasks to AI-controlled robots, we achieve the operational excellence our partners expect, whilst also creating scope for the further development of our employees.”
Having already achieved peak figures of 100,000 picks per day in the pilot project, the focus is now on scaling up. Last year, Zalando acquired a minority stake in Nomagic as part of a Series B funding round worth 44 million US-Dollars.
