In contrast to other automation technologies, where only entire load carriers such as pallets or boxes can be moved, the Toru robots have intelligent camera technology and can therefore recognize, grasp and transport individual objects. This makes them suitable for the chaotic warehousing system used in Zalando's logistics centers.

Carl-Friedrich zu Knyphausen, Head of Logistics Development at Zalando, is responsible for the further development of intralogistics and accompanied the Toru robots as they took their first steps.

Two Toru robots are currently being tested at Zalando in Erfurt. © Magazino

What are the advantages of the robot and what does Zalando use it for?
Toru is an autonomous robot that uses its built-in cameras to perceive its environment, orient itself and work alongside humans. We are currently testing how we can use it as an autonomous picking robot, i.e. in stow and pick, and how we can integrate it into our existing processes and support our employees. The idea is that it will relieve logistics employees of unergonomic tasks such as bending down and reaching far up when picking products from the highest or lowest shelf levels. However, Toru can currently only pick boxes, which usually means shoes.
However, we are still in test mode, which means that the Magazino robots are mostly given test orders. However, the robots have already processed the first customer orders. When a robot receives an order, it designs the best route using its own navigation system. Together with Magazino, we are working on making Toru better and faster.

How does the robot interact with humans?
The robot sees when a human wants to cross its path and waits accordingly before continuing with its task. In the pick area, Toru moves to the shelves and works through its pick list, just like the employee. Using integrated cameras and scanners, it identifies and locates the correct items on the shelf, removes them from the shelf with its suction gripper, stows them in its backpack and then travels to the transfer station to deposit them.

How does the test with the Magazino robots fit into Zalando's logistics strategy?
We have been investing in automation since the construction of our first logistics center in Erfurt in 2012. Even when we were setting up our conveyor technology, the focus was on ensuring that the technology brings the products to our employees, thus saving them walking distances and reducing their workload. Another example is our bag sorters in Mönchengladbach and Lahr, which relieve our colleagues of unergonomic movements. In the future, it could be similar at Toru, but that will take some time. Investing in automation and testing robotic solutions is therefore the next logical step for Zalando and our logistics strategy.

What can we expect from automation in logistics in the future?
We will continue to test different technologies until we have found exactly the right solution for us, as we did with the bag sorter in Lahr and Mönchengladbach. Zalando wants to further promote the use of technology in logistics and advance the industry in this respect. The exchange with our partners and colleagues in the industry is very important for this. as