Barcelona-based warehouse storage solutions provider Mecalux has unveiled an innovative new collaborative robotic picking system to optimize order fulfillment operations. Developed at Mecalux's technology center in Barcelona, Spain, the new system incorporates artificial intelligence (AI) picking software from German industrial manufacturing company Siemens.

The robotic picking solution, which can perform up to 1,000 picks per hour, uses Siemens' SIMATIC Robot Pick AI technology - an advanced computer vision software that employs deep learning algorithms to enable collaborative robots (cobots) to autonomously identify and select items for order picking with maximum speed and accuracy.

Powered by Mecalux's warehouse management system software Easy WMS, the cobot is able to work safely alongside human workers to pick a wide variety of products of varying shapes, sizes and materials. A camera positioned above the cobot captures a 3D image of the merchandise inside the pickup box, which is then analyzed by the AI software to determine the most efficient picking sequence and collision-free grip positions.

According to Siemens, the AI algorithm has been pre-trained on millions of stock items and can make gripping decisions in milliseconds without needing prior 3D models. The software runs on Siemens' high-performance SIMATIC S7-1500 PLC and TM-MFP (Technology Module - Multifunction Platform), enabling real-time control and execution of the AI picking tasks while meeting cybersecurity and automation standards.

This marks the latest solution stemming from Mecalux's long-standing collaboration with Siemens to merge industrial automation and artificial intelligence expertise. Earlier this year, Mecalux also launched a fully autonomous robotic picking station using the same AI picking software.

"The technology partnership with Siemens has allowed us to create a highly flexible and user-friendly robotic solution that adapts to each customer's unique needs," said Mecalux CEO Javier Carrillo.

José Ramón Castro, CEO of Siemens Digital Industries in Spain, added, "One of the key aspects is that it doesn’t need to know the 3D model of the item in question beforehand. The advanced AI algorithm acts as the brain, enabling the smart picking process."

With the launch of the cobot picking system, Mecalux and Siemens have demonstrated their continued commitment to developing innovative solutions that leverage the latest AI and automation technologies to drive efficiency gains for logistics providers and retailers worldwide.