Kremsmünster, Austria, August 2024. Good news for food retailers: In most cases, no new packaging needs to be developed for online retail to enable modern picking robots to grip it reliably.
This is the result of a study conducted by packaging specialist Greiner Packaging together with TGW Logistics and the Innovation and Competence Center logistikum. RETAIL at the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria.
- The automation of order picking is essential for offering food products profitably online
- Robots can already reliably pick the majority of items today
- Packaging quality and design play a decisive role in robot picking
The online grocery trade – also known as e-grocery – is growing steadily, and packaging is playing a decisive role in this. It not only influences handling efficiency but also customer satisfaction and the carbon footprint.
Experts therefore looked at the future of e-grocery packaging as part of the e-packaging study. They investigated whether packaging designed for stationary retail is also suitable for the online sector. In addition to evaluating general data, the project team interviewed retailers and conducted intensive tests with the TGW picking robot RovoFlex.
“Although many different packages were tested, the picking performance of RovoFlex was impressive. However, modern gripping technologies and machine learning must be used to achieve this performance.” says Michael Schedlbauer, Vice President Business Development Grocery bei TGW Logistics.
The main result of the e-packaging study is that irregular packaging shapes and sizes and materials that can be easily damaged cause problems in automated handling. Lids also posed a challenge in the initial test phase, but almost all packaging can now be handled successfully. The following basic principles apply:
- Standardization: Uniform packaging sizes and shapes facilitate the automation of processes.
- Choice of materials: Robust materials that offer both protection and simplify handling.
- Design: Optimized design for machine handling, simple closure mechanisms, and clear grip points.