Tompkins Robotics has introduced a new t-Sort solution designed specifically for micro-fulfillment operations. It utilizes the company’s t-Sort autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to optimize operations in a store backroom, micro-fulfillment center (MFC) or dark store.
Retail stores—particularly grocery—were not designed to accommodate an influx of surrogate shoppers or buy online pick up in store (BOPIS) orders. The flexible, fully modular t-Sort system fits in an existing backroom space and can process all types of products, including ambient, fresh and frozen foods.
The t-Sort system is suitable for users pursuing a micro-fulfillment strategy using automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS) or goods-to-person AMR solutions. The solution can also be deployed in a dark store or a standalone micro-fulfillment site.
With store-based fulfillment models, t-Sort fits within an existing backroom space and works in conjunction with Tompkins Robotics’ new t-Rail system to provide overhead transportation of goods to and from the sales floor, minimizing floor congestion and human interaction.
When used in a retail backroom setting, the t-Sort micro-fulfillment solution facilitates inbound sortation of mixed containers to segments of each aisle for faster, more efficient shelf stocking. It can enhance home delivery and BOPIS order processing by allowing batch picks of hundreds of orders by department or aisle.
