Taking loose loads out of containers and trucks is the most laborious task in modern warehousing, according to XYZ Robotics. While automation for unloading cartons is emerging, the missing piece lies in accurately sorting and palletizing those cartons, it asserted.
The Shanghai, China-based company said it provides a completely automated solution to streamline this entire workflow.
XYZ Robotics offers end-to-end automation
XYZ said its unloading system includes two Rocky mobile manipulation robots, a five-sided barcode scanner, and a sorting conveyor line to move goods from the container floor to storage-ready pallets in a single process.
The Rocky robots can handle payloads weighing up to 66 lb. (29.9 kg), with carton sizes ranging from 5.9 to 31.5 in. (14.9 to 80 cm). To ensure the highest safety and quality standards, the robots are certified by TÜV Rheinland for CE-MD/EMC/RED compliance, said XYZ Robotics.
RockyOne automatically enters the container to unload mixed cartons. Using an advanced vision system, the robot can identify the size, position, and orientation of cartons, even within irregular or shifted stacks. It can pick multiple cartons simultaneously—both horizontally and vertically—releasing them one by one to ensure the downstream scanner gets a clear read of SKU and batch data.
The cycle concludes with the RockyOne SE robot. The system automatically generates pallet patterns optimized for maximum loading density while ensuring stability. The user can also manually designate specific pallet patterns through a tablet human-machine interface (HMI).
If a carton’s incoming orientation doesn’t match the plan—or if barcodes must face a specific direction—RockyOne SE can rotate the item in midair to ensure proper placement. XYZ Robotics said this capability allows the system to build “display-ready” pallets for major retailers such as Costco and Walmart.
Rocky promises field-proven reliability
XYZ Robotics said its system is already delivering results for customers worldwide. For example, it handles a diverse range of home appliances for UNIS, a third-party logistics provider (3PL) in Fontana, Calif.
At UNIS, XYZ’s robot maintains a consistent throughput of 300 cases per hour. By ensuring product faces are correctly aligned, RockyOne SE makes these goods immediately ready for retail display, it said.
Similarly, in Krefeld, Germany, a DIY home improvement market leader uses the system to handle a high variety of inventory. The robots execute complex sorting and inbound receiving tasks, managing diverse items weighing up to 64 lb. (29 kg).
XYZ expands in U.S., opens site to visitors
XYZ Robotics said it plans to establish a new office in Los Angeles. This hub will provide localized technical support and business development services.
“By automating the heavy lifting, XYZ Robotics aims to help create safer, more predictable, and more ergonomic warehouses,” said the company.
XYZ Robotics is hosting an open site visit at the UNIS facility in Fontana from Feb. 1 to 13. It invited industry professionals and media members to see the transition from loose loads to display-ready pallets in a live operational setting. Appointments can be scheduled through the XYZ Robotics website.