Element Logic and Addverb Join Forces in Intralogistics

Element Logic, the world’s leading AutoStore integrator, and Addverb, a global specialist in robotics and warehouse automation, have formed a strategic partnership that sets new standards. By combining their cutting-edge technologies, both companies are paving the way for comprehensive, fully automated warehouse solutions. This collaboration will revolutionize processing operations, where flexibility and scalability are key to the future of intralogistics.

(Bad Friedrichshall/Broomfield) Element Logic, the world’s first official AutoStore integrator, is a system supplier with a comprehensive range of technology, automation components, and IT solutions. Addverb is a specialist in robotics and warehouse automation, offering a unique combination of stationary and mobile automation systems for intralogistical processes, as well as advanced enterprise software. The strategic connection of both systems enables the companies to cover all aspects of automated warehousing technology, including efficient order picking and internal transport processes.

The use of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), monitored by Addverb’s fleet management system Movect, combined with Element Logic’s comprehensively scalable AutoStore-based solutions, offers a high degree of flexibility in projects with diverse goods flows. “The integration of both systems provides customers with fully automated solutions for reliable, efficient, and fast order processing,” explains Joachim Kieninger, Director of Strategic Business Development at Element Logic Germany. In parallel, the companies are jointly developing further optimization solutions, for example, for automated transfer points of AutoStore with AMR. The combination of the two technologies can lead to numerous intelligent applications. The expertise of both companies opens up additional possibilities. Thus, the upstream and downstream processes of an AutoStore system, such as goods receipt and goods dispatch, as well as production supply and disposal, can be automated through highly flexible solutions for material transport and for consolidation and sequencing buffers. The flexible scalability of both system areas allows for seamless deployment of the solution across various industries, sectors, and company sizes. “With Element Logic’s AutoStore systems and a fleet of AMR from Addverb, the components and robots can be adjusted to the respective needs at any time,” confirms Johnny Andersen, General Manager EMEA at Addverb. This makes the solutions extremely future-proof and additionally offers long-term investment security.

Value Creation with Efficiency and Sustainability

This collaboration highlights the general and essential benefits of automation: reducing labor demand and costs, especially in light of the increasing shortage of skilled workers. Furthermore, it offers customers a comprehensive solution package from a single source, particularly in international projects for implementing end-to-end warehouse automation solutions. Such systems lower operating costs and increase overall profit.

The joint solutions from Addverb and Element Logic meet market demands for efficiency and sustainability. “Regarding Element Logic’s AutoStore-based projects, customers report significant increases in throughput, picking reliability, and space utilization, with improvements of up to 400% compared to previous processes,” Kieninger explains. In addition to increasing efficiency, the solution allows for optimal space utilization, thereby maximizing capacities in the smallest area. “Compared to conventional, fixed-installed systems, the operational setup can easily be modified by adding more AMRs and possibly also ports without causing production downtime. The modular components are easy to disassemble and can be reinstalled at a new location without significant effort or loss,” adds Andersen. Therefore, the systems can be reused for a long time and reduce the amount of industrial waste. Additionally, the robots do not require light to perform their work reliably.

In the joint solutions, Addverb’s AMRs apply the “goods-to-person” picking principle of the AutoStore systems to internal transports as well. With automated transfer stations and integrated pick-robot solutions for automatic picking, such as Element Logic’s eOperator, customers then have a fully automated, efficient material flow.

Facilitating Growth by Adjusting Warehouse Capacity and Throughput

Both solution segments are fully scalable. AutoStore uses an aluminum grid in which containers are stacked vertically in its bays. The containers are handled by robots for in, out, and relocation. So-called ports are integrated as workstations. The design, technology, and modular, redundant structure provide maximum stability and reliability of the system, as well as high flexibility regarding its expandability. With changing business requirements, seasonal peaks, or future growth, additional robots and possibly also ports can be integrated effortlessly, regardless of warehouse capacity.

Similarly, Addverb’s AMRs continue Element Logic’s success formula of “flexible, scalable, and efficient.” Units can be flexibly added or removed during operation as needed. Each vehicle can be easily reconfigured for new tasks, for example, as a transport butler or, integrated into an automated picking solution, as a picking assistant. This allows the AMR to cover nearly all transport tasks between goods receipt and dispatch, as well as production supply and disposal.

Integration of the Minds Behind the Bots

Warehouse managers have tools available to monitor operations with real-time analytics and make data-driven decisions. eManager, Element Logic’s warehouse management and control system for AutoStore, ensures transparency over inventory and storage locations. The software connection supports a smooth flow of goods as a prerequisite for successful warehouse operations. It relieves employees of task execution, ensures efficient work, and supports conflict-free communication between all components in the warehouse for optimal workflow. Similarly, Movect, Addverb’s fleet management system, provides a robust solution for centralized management of the AMR fleet. Through coordination, precise control, and efficient planning of workflows, it optimizes task assignment to the robots and maximizes both overall throughput and productivity.

Seamlessly Integrate into Any WMS via Interfaces

To ensure a smooth process for customers, Addverb’s Fleet Management System (FMS) and Element Logic’s eController can be seamlessly integrated into any existing Warehouse Management System (WMS) via standard interfaces, enabling continuous material flow control. The connection to the WMS provides real-time insights into inventory levels, order status, and operational performance – allowing for bottleneck analyses and continuous optimization of workflows.

On one hand, Addverb and Element Logic ensure a safe environment for employees working amidst the automated systems by following best practices and standards for optimal safety in automation. The AMRs feature natural navigation, SLAM algorithms, and advanced sensor-based guidance systems for obstacle avoidance, enabling safe operation in a human-robot cooperation area. On the other hand, automation reduces physical strain and allows for fatigue-free work. A work environment with technologically advanced devices also enhances quality and is more attractive to employees.

Facing the New Challenges of Supply Chains

Both companies will continue to face new challenges in the supply chain in the future by jointly developing new solutions to provide the industry with additional efficiency advantages and process optimization. This will enable Addverb and Element Logic to position themselves even more successfully as a leading provider of intelligent intralogistics solutions on a global scale.

Photo: © Element Logic