Vecna Robotics has announced the release of CaseFlow, an automated case-picking solution designed to enhance warehouse productivity by utilizing robotic pallet handling to reduce manual travel. The system aims to automate up to 90% of travel within warehouses while directing workers through dynamic zone picking, reportedly doubling productivity and improving worker safety and retention.
The new solution was developed in collaboration with logistics provider GEODIS, which reported over a 100% increase in case-picking performance following an 18-month deployment at its Indianapolis site. GEODIS, a leader in third-party logistics, cited the system’s impact on efficiency and safety, with no reported safety incidents. According to Andy Johnston, GEODIS’ Senior Director of Innovation, the implementation addressed labor-intensive workflows amid labor shortages and enabled the company to scale automation across its network.
CaseFlow integrates with existing Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), including those from Manhattan Associates, SAP, and Oracle, to orchestrate a fleet of Vecna Robotics’ CPJ pallet jack robots. The system directs human workers using connected wearables and continuously optimizes robot routes and picking tasks through Vecna’s Pivotal orchestration software. This approach aims to maximize units picked per hour and reduce the need for a large picking workforce.
Vecna Robotics has positioned CaseFlow as an accessible option for automating case-picking operations, offering the service on an annual subscription basis with a return on investment anticipated within 12 months. The solution is designed to be implemented within four weeks, with minimal disruption to existing operations and reduced training time for new employees.
In addition to productivity gains, the system promises enhanced safety by eliminating the need for workers to operate pallet trucks, focusing instead on picking tasks. Features such as real-time monitoring via the CaseFlow Console provide operations managers with control over order management and robot performance data, facilitating ongoing optimization of warehouse processes.
Traditional solutions such as conveyors and automated storage systems are often costly and inflexible, while previous robotic approaches have struggled to achieve comprehensive workflow orchestration. Vecna Robotics asserts that its solution overcomes these barriers, offering a streamlined and scalable approach to automation in mid- to high-volume warehouse environments across industries including retail, consumer packaged goods, and medical supplies.
