Innovation up close

HAIPICK SYSTEM 3 is the latest evolution from HAI Robotics and represents a major step forward in terms of scale, throughput and SKU density. I saw the system put through its paces with a high profile 3PL customer in the Netherlands, and it impressed with a blend of speed and control.

HAI Robotics has launched HaiPick System 3, along with the world's first telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, the HaiPick A42T-E2. More on that later. The two new innovations address customer concerns around increasing storage density and performance at a smaller warehouse footprint. 

The HaiPick System 3 enables ultra-high storage density up to 50 totes/sq m and aims to increase worker efficiency up to six times. It is a highly standardised system incorporating Hai's telescopic Grapple Hook ACRs and Fast-transit K50 autonomous mobile robots (AMR) running at a speed of 4m/s. HaiPick System 3 introduces fast deployment and efficient ACR-AMR collaboration. While ACRs handle totes from the top to the bottom of the racks, AMRs handle rack-bottom totes between racks and workstation swiftly. Additionally, the solution facilitates rack expansion by up to five-deep configuration, by using the telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, with a maximum picking height of up to 10 metres. 

“HaiPick System 3 is a high-performance and agile solution that scales alongside businesses to better achieve instantaneous customer satisfaction,” says Hai Robotics EMEA general manager Peter Guan. “Combined with the telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, warehouses will be able to achieve a level of performance efficiency and ROI at new heights in both B2B and B2C operations, such as within 3PL and apparel industries.”

The HaiPick A42T-E2

Let’s take a closer look at the telescopic Grapple Hook ACR, which can be integrated within the HaiPick System 3, and is a key feature in facilitating higher performance while delivering enhanced storage density.

The HaiPick A42T-E2—equipped with ChainPick technology—features a grappling hook with a picking speed of 2.7 seconds, quickly pulling totes one after another. Such ChainPick technology is key to enabling up to five-deep tote storage capacity, allowing shorter picking and placing time to further streamline the goods-to-person workflow. Horizontal space in between totes can be slashed by 60%, ensuring no space gap at the back and hence optimising existing warehouse storage space. Businesses are also offered tailored solutions to scale up or down, allowing them to maintain a competitive edge without compromising on financial agility, while still achieving cost-efficiency.

Guan explains: “Businesses nowadays are struggling to not only optimise their warehouse space, but also strike a balance between automation and leaving room for growth. We are thrilled with the launch of the HaiPick A42T-E2. This project encapsulates our commitment to providing intelligent, flexible and efficient solutions for the modern warehousing industry, while keeping in mind the growing and dynamic needs of this market on a global scale.”

Sophisticated solutions

Warehouse robotic solutions are becoming much more sophisticated, as HAI Robotics outlined at the launch event in the Netherlands. It is clear that a priority now is the ability to combine products into solutions that can make a big real world difference in the warehouse. Interestingly, HAIPick System 3 does not supersede HAIPick System 1 or HAIPick System 2, all are available, as each may do a job for a customer depending on their demands and warehouse configuration. 

HaiPick System 1, which consists of HaiPick ACRs with HaiPort docking stations for the handling of different-sized totes and cartons, is said to be the most flexible option. HaiPick System 2 is said to be the most versatile, and brings in HAI Robotics heavy-duty AMRs.

The key strengths of System 3 are performance and scalability. HAIPick System 3 feeds totes to the HaiPort, a U-shaped workstation, which can load eight cases in three seconds, and unload eight cases in five seconds. Heat mapping software allows smart storage location management, with fast movers closest to the bottom of the racks to further assist with speed of throughput.

Hai Robotics HAI Q suite is a full software stack, that manages robots and other hardware, and will connect with the WMS. It also includes a warehouse execution system (WES), which is focused on the efficient management of order flow. 

System 3 assists logistics managers who are grappling with the trade-offs of storage density and item throughput. Normally, if one is high, the other cannot be.

HAI Robotics sales director Europe Sean Wang explains: “It’s hard to have both, usually there is a trade off. We tackle this by reducing the number of depth locations on the rack when one tote is moved. The hook pulls the second tote forward to the first space, the third forward to the second space, and so on.

“This is one of the ways we can maximise throughput. The hook also means more space, as we no longer need the handling arms to grab the sides of the tote, so we can close that space. Storage density is up 25% from the previous system and pick efficiency has increased by 30%.”

If the warehouse is tall enough, it is also possible to add further racking above the picking lanes, to further increase density.

Use cases

Warehouse robotics is an increasingly complex market, with many different solutions, each with its own strengths, and best use cases.

HAI Robotics is certainly a major player here, and its systems stood out in terms of pick efficiency, accessibility and much else. In comparison to shelf-carrying robot systems, the HAI system has arguably better storage density, and when a SKU needs to be delivered to the workstation, a single tote box can be delivered, rather than the whole shelf. It is also said to offer better accessibility than traditional cube-based systems, particularly for slower moving SKUs, with a maximum of five tote boxes needing to be moved to access a SKU.

HAI Robotics has secured a roster of blue chip customers, and is developing and growing its capabilities. If you’re storing and moving small items and watching throughput and density demands climb, then it is certainly well worth getting in touch to check out its systems.

For more information, visit www.hairobotics.com