Roaming Shuttle:

Roaming shuttle systems are automated warehouse storage and retrieval solutions, like captive shuttle systems. The main difference is their ability to roam in 2 and 3 dimensions, meaning they are not aisle captive giving them access to any storage location while providing operational redundancy. This solution is also based on the goods-to-person concept. Roaming shuttle systems optimize the utilization of warehouse storage space and provide performance and throughput scalability. Additional robots can be added in future to increase system performance. Compared to captive aisle shuttles, roaming shuttles offer operational redundancy and the advantage of performance and investment scalability and are the evolution of captive aisle shuttles.

Product Overview:

  • Automated storage and retrieval system
  • Small parts storage and handling
  • Tote, tray, and carton handling
  • Single to multi-deep storage rack
  • Goods-to-person order fulfillment
  • Intelligent software management system
  • Roaming shuttle system
  • High performance system solution

Solution Benefits:

  • Automates storage and product handling
  • Operational redundancy based on roaming shuttles. Any shuttle can access any product in the system
  • Scalable system performance by adding more robots over time
  • Optimizes warehouse storage space
  • Increases order fulfillment productivity based on Goods-to-Person picking
  • Improves inventory management accuracy
  • Lower and scalable upfront investment
  • Designed to handle fast, medium and slow moving SKUs
  • Ability to integrate an order shipping buffer
UOM Value
Load Capacity 35KG / 77 Lbs
System Length 120m / 400'
System Height 20m / 65'
Performance per Aisle Variable
Performance per Shuttle 15 - 25 DC/h

Solution Limitations:

  • Requires larger system footprint with larger front-zone compared to captive shuttle systems
  • Lower throughput per shuttle compared to captive shuttle technology
  • Limitation on qty. of shuttles deployable in system. Risk of shuttle congestion
  • Requires sophisticated software and control system
  • Requires lift for elevation changes. Single point of failure
  • High level of system complexity
  • Service and maintenance intense
  • Solution has comparable high level of complexity

Technology Providers:

  • Knapp - Evo
  • Vanderlande - Adapto