Movu Robotics: a complete portfolio of automated solutions for efficient intralogistics

Lokeren, Belgium – 19 September 2023 – The Movu Robotics portfolio brings easier automation to the world’s warehouses. It comprises automated storage, picking and transport for pallets, bins and items, offering an easy buying journey, competitive pricing, cost savings, quick delivery, high density storage and space optimisation. The portfolio allows end customers and integrators globally to benefit from a seamless and user-friendly plug and play warehouse automation ecosystem.

Automated solutions are increasingly seen as the productive answer to meeting a multitude of intralogistics challenges across many market sectors. These include the need for greater efficiency, flexibility and productivity, while overcoming skills shortages to fulfil growing volumes across multiple channels, while also handling regular peaks – both predictable and unpredictable – occurring in demand.

To meet these needs, the Movu Robotics portfolio is built around a range of innovative sub-systems, which are designed to provide easier, scalable, flexible and energy efficient solutions that are accessible for all kinds of warehouses and quick to roll out:

• Movu atlas : pallet shuttle for multiple deep storage
• Movu escala : the robotised 3D storage and fulfilment system
• Movu ifollow Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for collaborative picking or transport of pallets
• the new Movu eligo picking arm robot

Together with the appropriate supporting software, these sub-systems from the portfolio can be offered as either standalone products or integrated to create an autonomous sub-system as a solution, which can boost customer performance, resilience and service levels. For example, Movu ifollow AMRs can be used to transport pallets or bins to a Movu atlas pallet shuttle rack or a Movu escala bin shuttle rack.

Movu Robotics systems are modular in design, acting as a set of building blocks to minimise the complexity and cost of upgrading. This makes the systems highly scalable – installations can start small and then expand or, if needed, they can downsize just as easily. Modularity also enables a fast roll out for projects.

The portfolio also offers these products to integrators who will build entire end-to-end solutions for their customers that may, in addition to these Movu Robotics sub-systems, include components from other suppliers.

Jos de Vuyst, CEO of stow Group commented: “Movu Robotics shares a symbiotic relationship with fellow group company stow Racking, which has more than 10,000 customers across Europe and US with conventional racking. Many of these customers take the decision at some point to automate their operations. Where many companies are built around one automation product, Movu Robotics has a portfolio currently comprising a pallet shuttle, a bin shuttle, an AMR and a piece picking robot to support their first steps into automation or upgrade existing warehouse installations. That’s quite rare, and the portfolio will continue to grow.”

Stefan Pieters, CEO of Movu Robotics, commented: “Movu Robotics cooperates closely with our racking colleagues in the stow Group. This is very important given that racks are a vital component of the solutions within the Movu product portfolio. In-house access to established experience and expertise in racking means we can fully optimise the rack to the application and do exceptional things to add value. Furthermore, customers for products in the portfolio benefit from having a single source for racks and automation.”

Let’s take a closer look at the various sub-systems of the Movu Robotics product portfolio:

Movu atlas self-powered pallet carrier system

For companies looking to optimise their storage, the Movu atlas pallet shuttle sub-system provides a high density, multi-pallet position deep Automated Storage and Retrieval system (AS/RS). With no need for lift truck aisles, storage capacity is maximised, and manual handling is replaced leading to reduction in both personnel risk and picking errors.

At the system’s heart is the Movu atlas shuttle, which is a self-powered pallet carrier, ingeniously designed to move and organise pallets with unrivalled proficiency in the 2D racking structure, which is specially designed for this purpose based on stow racking. Shuttles, which attain a speed of 1.4 m/s in both directions, can handle 1200 x 800 mm or 1200 x 1000 mm pallets with a 1.500 kg maximum load.

An Movu atlas shuttle system consists of a number of atlas shuttles, the specially designed stow shuttle-rack system and the stow control software (Movu WES). The software manages the shuttle traffic within the shuttle rack, issuing orders from the user company’s Warehouse Management System (WMS). The shuttles will transport pallets on both the rails of the storage lanes, where the pallets are housed within the racking, and the rails of the main lanes that run across the storage lanes, serving as the only aisles. The crossings or intersections between the storage lanes and the main lanes are designed for a smooth transition of the shuttle, either unloaded or loaded. The automatically controlled shuttles move pallets without interfering with each other. Pallets are received and picked from the system at the frontside of the pallet rack.

The system can adapt to a customer’s building due to its modularity and is scalable with the ability to add shuttles as required. The proven technology can be delivered with short lead times and flexible configuration.

With its design flexibility allowing it to fit the needs of larger systems, Integrators will find Movu atlas to be a straightforward concept that can easily be integrated as a sub-system of a project. Providing racks and robotics from a single source means integrators have access to a standalone storage system, that benefits from standard interfaces.

Compared to stacker crane technology, Movu atlas offers even denser storage and eliminates the need for a less energy efficient crane in each aisle that must also attain tall heights and travel long distances. It can also provide high density automated storage to any shape of building and on irregular sites. The Movu atlas sub-system offers smooth integration with the full range of sub-systems, high quality and short lead times.

Movu escala robotic bin storage and fulfilment

Movu escala is the next generation, 3D robotic bin storage and fulfilment sub-system. Based on goods-to-person picking from bins, it offers the most flexible AS/RS and order fulfilment solution – for even the smallest applications of bin-compatible products. The sub-system maximises storage density, productivity and fulfilment accuracy by eliminating manual handling in the delivery of goods in bins to picker work stations. Its modular design allows capacity to be increased by simply adding additional storage modules and performance to be boosted by using additional robots.

Movu escala robots move bins in all three dimensions within a dense storage and retrieval system based on stow racking. A sophisticated rail track connects every location point within the storage system, and at different levels, in a simple and economical way. The robots move along the rails in two dimensions throughout a level of the system and they can move between levels via ramps, in a similar way to a car driving to the next level of a multi-storey car park. This eliminates the need for maintenance-intensive conveyors, lifts, service aisle access and sequencers.

Equipped with a multi-functional load handling device, the Movu escala robot can transport both standard 600 x 400 mm euro bins as well as larger bins with 650 x 450 mm dimensions. The average load-bearing capacity of a Movu escala robot trolley is a market leading 40 kg, making the robots suitable for handling heavy goods or industrial components.

Intelligent robot swarm management software, combined with the innovative rack design, makes it possible to sequence bins at multiple points within the system. Sequencing is also possible at the goods-to-person workstations.

Customers will find this pre-engineered sub-system, which can be rapidly installed, offers an easy and simple entry point into automation, which can scale to meet business needs. For example, a system starting with 500 bins can easily be expanded for both capacity and performance at any time. Density, which is variable from single to multi-deep storage, can be optimised by accommodating random bin storage. With the flexibility to handle a broad mix of SKUs, the cost saving solution will increase profitability while also allowing customers to enhance their service levels.

This innovative alternative to stacker cranes gives integrators a reliable sub-system, which can be integrated smoothly with other sub-systems in the Movu Robotics product portfolio and managed by Integrator workflow solutions and WMS.

Movu escala stands apart from competitors because it removes the complexity and rigidity of traditional warehouse automation solutions and is offered from a single source that provides both racking and robots, offering short lead times. It also has the flexibility to handle a greater mix of SKUs than offer automated storage.

Not only does this sub-system offer 800% greater density per location than rivals, but it also has the ability to handle 40 kg loads and different bin heights, making it an ideal solution for production environments, where it can provide 24/7 operations without downtime or the need for additional robots for charging.

Provided with seamless integration as a pick station option for the Movu escala bin shuttle, the innovative new Movu eligo picking arm robot is a fully integrated robotic bin picking solution, which can piece pick from a single-SKU source bin and place them into multiple mixed-SKU destination bins.

Movu ifollow Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Movu ifollow is the versatile Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution for collaborative picking or transport of pallets or other load carrier. Key benefits for customers come in the form of slimline design, the ability to operate in cold stores, moving between temperatures from -25°C to +40°C, and comprehensive customisation with a range of modules that can interface with a variety of existing infrastructure. The simplicity of this sub-system allows for rapid deployment and customers can independently create and modify mapping according to requirements. Supporting Duo-picking and Zone-picking the collaborative robot offers a turnkey solution for material flow.

For integrators, the highly adaptable mobile robots are suitable for complex robot-human interaction, allowing the creation of a cutting edge digital and intelligent supply chain for global customers. And, with the ability to add or remove robots according to peak requirements, they offer an enormously flexible automated intralogistics solution.

Movu ifollow AMRs are differentiated from competitors by their slim design and ability to work in cold stores. They can be integrated with the Movu atlas sub-system and have a customisable top lifter to allow a variety of tasks to be performed. The premium quality, European designed and built AMRs are ISO and CE mark compliant and offer a high degree of reliability required by busy intralogistics operations.

Key benefits of the Movu ifollow sub-system include a 2-3 year ROI and it can be typically implemented in approximately 3-months. Other key benefits include an increase in productivity of 40% with 30 to 50% more efficiency than manual picking, while picking errors can be reduced by at least 50%.

Movu eligo picking arm robot

The innovative Movu eligo robot picking arm is a fully integrated robotic bin picking solution that can automatically piece-pick from a single-SKU source bin and place the individual items into multiple mixed-SKU destination bins. Developed to close the gap between manual and fully automatic pick operation, Movu eligo provides warehouse operators with a huge step forward in order picking. It also provides a solution for labour shortage issues with a robot that can work through inconvenient work hours at reduced cost but with higher pick accuracy and quality. Other key benefits include:

• Reliable and effective robotic picking of up to 600 items per hour at any time
• Enabling the pick and placing of a wide variety of SKUs
• Providing a unique plug and play sub-system that is integrated with the Movu escala bin shuttle, resulting in an innovative end-to-end automated solution from storage to picking
• Easy way to automatically pick SKUs that are suited for robotic picking, store the bins and then finish the order with a manual pick when the time is convenient
• Reduced cost per pick, resulting in a strong Return on Investment (ROI)

Provided with seamless integration as a pick station option for the Movu escala bin shuttle, the Movu eligo combines advanced software with intelligent grippers and machine vision to ensure reliable throughput. Gently grasping an item from a bin retrieved from the escala while picking, the robot then places the item in a delivery bin. Providing feedback on grasp success, the intelligent grippers ensure an accuracy of 100%. In addition to a low gripping failure rate the Movu eligo reduces the number of manual ‘touches’ required for order fulfilment or replenishment and can reach a pick success rate greater than 99%.

Able to achieve 600 picks per hour, depending on the specific implementation, the robot can pick goods up to 2 kg and with dimensions of 1 cm minimum to a maximum of 30 cm. Being completely product agnostic gives it the flexibility to handle changing product mixes.

The robot arm stands 2.2 metres high and has an operating radius of 1.3 metres. A safety interface makes robotic work cells safe when human interaction is required.

Driven by software, the system leverages machine learning to continuously improve picking. Movu eligo runs on a plug-and-play Application Programming Interface (API) which integrates directly with the Movu escala bin storage solution. This user-friendly complete solution allows the seamless integration of robotic and manual picking operation for maximum efficiency. Movu escala interacts with overlying Warehouse Management Software (WMS), Warehouse Control Software (WCS) and Warehouse Execution Software (WES) as needed to mission the piece picking operations. By planning tasks for the robot such as robot arm movements around the source and destination bin exchange phases, the software optimises pick cycle times to maximise throughput.

Real-time operational data is presented to staff stationed away from the active systems to resolve exceptions quickly and efficiently. Performance dashboards enable warehouse operations to visualise current and historical data.

Available with full 24/7 support, the Movu eligo allows customers, particularly those involved in pharmaceuticals, apparel, e-commerce, manufacturing and kitting, to realise the benefits of reliable robotic piece-picking without worrying about integrating all the elements.

The data-driven, intelligent piece picking platform provides flexible and scalable automation for predictable and accurate order fulfilment. Integrated seamlessly as a work station for the Movu escala bin storage system , the Movu eligo adds value for warehouses pursuing improvements in efficiency, productivity and customer service levels.

Software

Software for the management of shuttles and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in warehouses is a crucial tool for optimising the operation and control of these systems. It facilitates the efficient management, coordination and monitoring of shuttles and robots, ensuring a smooth flow of materials.

Movu follows a clear philosophy with its software: the customers should be able to work with it immediately and without any problems. That’s why Movu Software only has one software interface for integration into the customer’s system; the rest is handled internally by a modular software.

The Movu warehouse execution system (WES) for shuttles and AMRs is formed together by three pillars:

• Movu ops: Software for managing all operations. Movu ops takes the orders from the higher-level customer system and prepares them for Movu tower.
• Movu tower: Checks the available resources, selects the most suitable shuttle or AMR and sends the order to Movu pilot.
• Movu pilot: Ensures the execution of the order at the level of the individual shuttle or AMRs.

Similar to a central WES that assigns tasks to warehouse workers, tracks their productivity, monitors their performance and manages work schedules and shifts, the Movu WES performs this functions for shuttles and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs)

In the process, the three components of the Movu WES perform different tasks at different levels:

• Movu ops receives order from the customer Warehouse Management System (WMS) and converts them in correct missions for shuttles, lifts and AMRs. Example: SKU at location X needs to be moved to location Y. Movu ops selects the right transport means (example: “AMR – shuttle – lift – shuttle”) and transmits this mission to Movu tower. Movu ops also receives information from lower-level instances, such as cycle times and equipment utilisation. This allows bottlenecks and areas for improvement to be identified, enabling data-driven decision-making and continuous process optimisation.
• Movu tower assigns the best placed shuttle or AMR to carry out the mission. The software determines the optimal routes for shuttles and AMRs and tracks their activities in real-time. It provides an overview of their positions as well as their current status and progress on assigned tasks. Movu tower also monitors the battery state of the complete fleet and instructs battery charging when appropriate. This enables proactive decision-making and immediate response to any problems or bottlenecks that arise. Movu tower calculates efficient routes to minimise travel time, maximise productivity and reduce warehouse congestion. This results in accelerated order fulfilment, reduced cycle times and increased throughput.
• Movu pilot controls the movements and speed of an individual shuttle or AMR and enables the correct motor, controls the speed, looks at the correct sensors during pickup and dropoff. It also sends the status and position of individual shuttles or AMRs to Movu tower. Movu pilot is an embedded system and guarantees fast operation without putting much load on the network.

All in all, the Movu Warehouse Execution System is an integrated solution that takes care of a smooth material flow within the warehouse. And because the software was developed and written by us, it can exploit the hardware to the last detail.

Autonomous sub-systems as a solution

The Movu Robotics product portfolio makes upgrading warehouses easier, not only for existing users of logistics automation who want to upgrade their systems with plug and play robotics and automation, but also those yet to adopt automation but who urgently want to take the first step.

The portfolio’s technologies can be integrated into a single autonomous sub-system as a solution, with components including racking, shuttles or AMRs, software, wi-fi and commissioning. This enables easy installation, adaptability to new business needs through simple integration of new applications and a minimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach.

In addition to easy installation, shorter lead times for execution and deployment and comprehensive service, the customer can rely on stow’s 40 years of experience in the warehouse industry.

Providing a one stop shop for racking and automation not only reduces the number of parties a company will need to deal with during planning, installation and ongoing support, but will also provide a seamless solution that is designed specifically to serve the needs of the customer.

The portfolio also provides low entry, and scalable warehouse automation solutions for growing businesses. The advantage for the customer is they can access these from a one-stop-shop that has an international coverage and can also provide integrated sub-systems. The flexibility provided by the technologies in the portfolio allows customers to scale a solution up or down as required. They also benefit from the renowned values, comprehensive network and leading expertise of stow Group – a European company that also operates globally, with local teams working in a shared business culture that places reliability and trust at its core.

Systems Integrators gain access to stand-alone sub-systems that can be integrated in an end-to-end solution. They gain an approved plug and play solution environment with guaranteed compatibility without any interface risks. They also allow seamless integration and interfacing to additional non-Movu products and technologies.

The comprehensive range of simple, capable, flexible, efficient plug and play and modular solutions for warehouse storage and transport ensures the Movu Robotics product portfolio stand out from its competitors.