Automate even more picking with the addition of intelligent robotics
Ocado’s proprietary On-Grid Robotic Pick combines AI, computer vision and robotic handling to automate more suitable picks across grocery and other complex fulfilment operations
Developed within the Ocado Smart Platform for the demands of grocery, On-Grid Robotic Pick extends automation to the individual item. The technology has completed more than 350 million picks in live grocery operations. It is also available within Ocado Storage and Retrieval Solutions for suitable applications in other industries.
In both environments, robotic arms transfer suitable products from storage bins into order containers without moving them to a separate picking area. Computer vision, advanced sensing and machine learning help each arm make handling decisions in real time.
Retrieval Bots keep stock and order containers moving around the arms, while manual picking and remote human support remain available for products and exceptions that need a different approach.
Automate more without treating every item the same
Grocery and other complex product ranges contain different shapes, weights, packaging formats and handling requirements. Some items are well suited to robotic picking, while others still benefit from human judgement and dexterity.
Ocado designs robotic and manual picking as part of the same operating model. Suitable work can be directed to On-Grid Robotic Pick, while manual workstations handle products and situations that need a person. This allows the level of automation to reflect the range and order profile rather than forcing every item through one handling method.
Use intelligence that learns from every pick
Machine vision identifies an item and determines suitable grasp points. Built in sensors help the arm control how it handles the product, while reinforcement learning improves picking and packing decisions over time.
For more complex tasks, behaviour cloning allows robots to learn from human led examples. New learning can then be incorporated into the models used across the fleet, so an improvement developed from one handling challenge can benefit other arms.
When an exception still needs support, a remote pilot can intervene and guide the arm. The experience becomes additional training data, helping the system improve while keeping human support within the operating model.
Robotic picking proven at operating scale
On-Grid Robotic Pick is deployed in live Ocado Customer Fulfilment Centres and has completed more than 350 million picks. With more than 50 robotic picking arms now in active operation, the technology is learning from real products, changing ranges and the daily demands of online grocery.
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Actual sustained performance depends on the products, their presentation and the wider system configuration.
Design robotic picking around the range
On-Grid Robotic Pick handles items weighing up to 1.5 kg and items as small as 2.5 cm. Maximum dimensions, product packaging, presentation and fragility also affect suitability.
Ocado assesses the product range, order profile, surrounding workflow and the required OSP or Ocado Storage and Retrieval Solutions configuration before confirming the solution design. This determines how many arms are required, which work should remain manual and how exceptions return to the flow.
For grocery
On-Grid Robotic Pick forms part of the Ocado Smart Platform. OSP coordinates inventory, Retrieval Bots, robotic arms, manual workstations and order priorities as one connected grocery fulfilment operation.
For other industries
On-Grid Robotic Pick is available within Ocado Storage and Retrieval Solutions. The same combination of intelligent item handling, automated retrieval and manual support can be configured around suitable products and workflows beyond grocery.
For operations where product security, handling consistency or contamination risk matters, reducing manual touchpoints can provide an additional benefit. The required controls and suitability are assessed for each application.
How much of your picking could be automated?
Tell us about your product range, packaging, order profile and current picking process. We will assess where On-Grid Robotic Pick could reduce repetitive handling, increase productive capacity and strengthen the economics of your operation.