Zebra Technologies, a supply chain workflow specialist, has expanded its Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment, a “comprehensive solution” that utilizes the company’s new Zebra Connect Fulfillment autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), wearable technologies, software, and analytics designed to increase productivity and reduce costs in warehouse operations.
This AI-powered solution combines the functions of a warehouse execution system (WES) with robot fleet management and powerful analytics.
Using the new Zebra Symmetry Connect Fulfillment AMR, the solution enables frontline workers to load and unload orders to and from carts without requiring the AMR to remain permanently attached to each cart. This increases utilization and reduces the number of AMRs required in the fulfillment system.
Fueled by Team Intelligence, this solution enables workers – also referred to as pickers – to pick more items in less time by coordinating each picker with a team of robots in a precise, directed workflow. This innovative approach improves throughput and empowers operational decision-making in fulfillment workflows.
Matthew Wicks, vice president and general manager, robotics automation, Zebra Technologies, says: “The Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution is designed to help warehouse operations maximize the benefits of AMR-assisted picking to reduce costs and boost productivity.
“We are excited to bring intelligent automation to our warehouse customers to help ensure every movement is purposeful, every task is completed with precision, and throughput reaches its peak as this solution helps them optimize their labor and robotics resources.”
Team Intelligence improves throughput by routing robots ahead of pickers, so the right AMR is always where it needs to be when a picker arrives.
Using detachable carts with increased cubic capacity allows pickers to handle a wider range of product sizes and up to 300 percent more volume; it also boosts pick density and eliminates AMRs wait times.
In addition, the ability to decouple AMRs from carts at key points in the operation such as induction and packout allows AMRs to immediately return to supporting the picking operation without waiting for orders to be unloaded or inducted.
All these efficiency improvements result in reducing the total number of robots required by up to 30 percent.
Some of the Zebra customers who are using Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment to increase picking efficiency within their warehouse operations include CTL Global Solutions and Encore Fulfillment.
These third-party logistics providers have selected the solution over other companies’ pick-assist fulfillment technology and are deploying it in early 2025.
Alex O’Dell, senior vice president, integrated operations, CTL, says: “Having an efficient, cost-effective robotics solution is crucial for our operations.
“We believe the Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment solution will transform our workflows with its innovative AMR technology, which will allow us to achieve optimal efficiency with fewer robots. It will also free up resources and reduce costs, enhancing productivity and increasing profitability.”
Kyle Thompson, co-founder, Encore, says: “Zebra Symmetry Fulfillment with Team Intelligence removes the guesswork by integrating Zebra AMRs with robust, lightweight mobile computers and data-capture devices, enabling a fully directed workflow.
“We are eager to fully implement this innovative approach, combining frontline workers and robots in a streamlined partnership to significantly reduce our costs while enhancing throughput, accuracy, and performance.”
Powered by AI for sequencing and allocating work, Team Intelligence is designed to improve AMR-assisted picking through intelligently planned order-picking paths. This eliminates the time pickers waste trying to find the right robots and minimizes the time robots spend waiting for pickers to find them.
As noted in Zebra’s Warehouse Vision Study, almost 70 percent of warehouse decision-makers are planning to automate their workflows with the use of collaborative AMRs, and over 88 percent agree that implementing robotics will help attract and retain skilled workers.
