German fashion retailer Zalando is deploying intelligent robots in several distribution centers across Europe, aiming to speed up order processing and reduce employees’ workload by taking over repetitive tasks.
The decision comes after a pilot phase considered successful. The company tested ten robots which together performed approximately 100,000 picking operations per day, according to Retail Detail.
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The first systems are already operational in Germany and Italy, with expansion planned in other countries, including the Netherlands, France, and Sweden.
What the “Richard” robots can do
The robots, internally named “Richard”, are capable of picking, scanning, and sorting products. Using artificial intelligence and visual recognition technology, they identify products and instantly adjust their grip depending on the item, which is particularly useful in warehouses with rapidly changing assortments.
For shoeboxes, Zalando is also introducing a dedicated solution called Shoebox Picker. Previously, loose lids made automation difficult, but the new system keeps boxes stable during transport.
Zalando is increasingly using artificial intelligence across multiple areas of its business, not only in logistics but also in content, personalization, and customer experience.
Photo: wired.it
