Tompkins Robotics has expanded its product offering with the addition of t-Rail, an overhead robotic system capable of transporting a variety of goods and materials with speed and accuracy without disruption to floor-level activities. t-Rail can be deployed in distribution centers (DCs) and fulfillment centers (FCs) and is also used with Tompkins Robotics’ micro-fulfillment solution to optimize operations in a retail store or backroom setting.
Warehouses already operating at or near full capacity have limited space to implement new technology. t-Rail’s unique elevated design can carry bulk quantities of items or packages via a hopper or tote. The system uses elevators to interact with floor-level operations, allowing warehouses to maximize valuable space and eliminate traffic on the floor.
As warehouse space becomes more scarce and consumers continue to opt for buy online pick up in-store (BOPIS) and curbside pickup options, many grocers and retailers are now using brick-and-mortar locations for fulfillment operations. When used in a retail setting, t-Rail provides overhead transport of loose items, customer orders or cases of goods between the backroom and sales floor without causing aisle congestion or interference with in-store shoppers or workers, including:
- Transporting totes of picked items from store aisles to the backroom for online order fulfillment
- Delivering completed customer orders to their desired destination, including BOPIS lockers, drive-up windows or other pickup areas
- Delivering items from the backroom to specific aisle segments for store replenishment
- Travel Speed: Up to 1.5 m/s (5 ft/s)
- Max Weight: 120 lb. load capacity
- Acceleration: 1 m/s2 (3.3 ft/s2)
- Full Charge Time: 5 to 8 mins
- Run Time Per Charge: 2 to 4 hrs
