Maersk and BionicHIVE, are four months into a pilot designed to assess automation processes that sort, select and put away packages and can navigate warehouse floors using built-in cameras and sensors, moving between people and objects. The uniqueness of the product is the ability to climb on the existing warehouse racking to sort, pick and replenish cartons directly to/from any spot in the rack. This is the only solution in the market with so much flexibility in operations and minimal impact to existing warehouse interior infrastructure.

The evaluation is being conducted at a Maersk warehouse in Mira Loma, California and is expected to last another four months.  The mobile units are battery-operated, running a smart-power consumption module which automatically replaces its power packs.  SqUID’s software integrates into warehouse management systems, providing real-time inventory data.

The global warehouse automation market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.2% through 2026. This development of Maersk is in line with company’s focus on technology for Warehouse Management.

“Maersk is investing in testing new technologies that offer upgraded warehouse services to increase efficiency and add more flexibility to supply chains. By integrating BionicHIVE’s SqUID solution into our warehouse operations, we will be able to optimize processes and better serve our customers in a rapidly evolving market.” says Erez Agmoni, Global Head of Innovation for Logistic and Services at Maersk.