AutoStore launches first consumer-facing automated warehouse

AutoStore has launched its latest innovation, the PickUpPort, a public-facing port that lets customers shop online and pick up their order directly from the AutoStore System. 

Carlos Fernández, chief product officer at AutoStore, says: “It’s important for us to help retailers stay ahead in an ever-changing industry.

“With the new PickUpPort, retailers can offer a hassle-free pick-up option in-store, and customers can see how Robots pick, organize, and store items. When retailers adopt this technology, their customers get even more flexibility and freedom.”

The PickUpPort is an intuitive technology that doesn’t demand extensive implementation and training. When a customer places an order and chooses in-store pickup, a Controller function asks the AutoStore Robot to pick the Bins that contain the products.

The warehouse operator consolidates the order, and the order is stored in the AutoStore System. When the customer arrives at the store, a Robot will bring the Bin with the right products to the PickUpPort.

AutoStore says PickUpPort is an “attractive alternative to last-mile deliveries”.

The new technology is a direct response to the evolving demand for greater efficiency in the way customers receive products. Adding public-facing ports to stores can drive additional in-store purchases and enable retailers to provide a frictionless omnichannel shopping experience for customers.

Fernández says: “We are constantly piloting and rolling out new technology. People want more flexibility, and the buy-online-pickup-in-store trend is quickly becoming an attractive alternative to ‘last-mile’ delivery, since it’s simple, fast and offers a lower carbon footprint.”

The technology has a user-friendly design. As this is the first public-facing Port from AutoStore, multiple safety measures were taken into account during product development. The PickUpPort is equipped with a warning label, safety bar, a damper, and stoppers.

Fernández says: “The PickUpPort is safe and easy to use. It’s always locked while waiting for the Bin to arrive at the Port, and a LED lamp signals when it’s ready to be opened. Safety is paramount at AutoStore.”

The PickUpPort is the fifth Port module offered by AutoStore and will be available from November 15th.