AutoStore’s FlexBins boost warehouse efficiency for UK grocers

AutoStore has introduced FlexBins as part of its latest product portfolio aimed at improving automation, efficiency, and flexibility in warehouse operations.

FlexBins is being piloted by Veloq, a company competing with Ocado in the United Kingdom. The system enables warehouses to manage different products within compact spaces, requiring fewer staff while coping with labour shortages and peak demand periods. By supporting multiple bin sizes within one storage grid, FlexBins aims to increase storage density and SKU variety without compromising retrieval speed or reliability.

AutoStore's product portfolio expansion also includes solutions such as AutoCase for case handling and Frozen-Only Grid, designed for temperature-sensitive warehousing associated with grocery or healthcare industries. These additions are part of a broader strategy to address the shifting demands of fulfillment, as businesses adapt to increased expectations for fast delivery, broader assortments, and uninterrupted service, all while facing ongoing workforce and supply chain challenges.

Product developments

The seven new features in the portfolio focus on simplifying installation, reducing operational cost, and broadening automation capabilities in the warehouse sector. AutoCase now automates case loading and unloading, facilitating the storage and picking of full cases and individual items within a seamless flow that maintains high throughput during periods of elevated demand. The Frozen-Only Grid, meanwhile, tailors AutoStore's automated storage for use in frozen environments, with an emphasis on reduced energy consumption and safety improvements for workers in more demanding conditions.

The Multi-Bin Grid, an extension of the FlexBins concept, allows different bin sizes to be used simultaneously, enhancing storage flexibility. CarouselAI has been enhanced with improved bin placement logic for faster retrieval, the addition of outbound routing functions, and support for lighter items, collectively aimed at maximising system throughput and adaptability to customer needs.

Other technical changes introduced include a redesigned low-pressure sprinkler system, developed in line with fire safety standards, which AutoStore estimates could cut installation costs by up to 35% while maintaining safety assurances. A new approach to floor flatness now uses laser scanning and shim technology to eliminate the need for pre-installation floor grinding, reducing both disruption and construction timeframes for customers. CubeDeploy, a unified software installer, has been launched to facilitate system updates and minimise operational downtime during upgrades.

Industry response

"At AutoStore, everything starts with the customer. These seven launches address major warehouse challenges, strengthen our portfolio, and expand capabilities to maximize ROI. What's powerful is that we can now automate both full cases and individual items in the same high-density system, delivering the most advanced solution of its kind. We enable customers to deliver with greater speed, accuracy, adaptability, and scalability, while continuing to stay ahead of future demands. At the same time, software innovations drive the next generation of fulfillment and support customer strategies for full automation," said Parth Joshi, Chief Product Officer at AutoStore.

FlexBins is already in deployment at Veloq, an AI-driven grocery automation provider. Veloq's use of the system is targeted at expanding its product range while streamlining order processing and delivery times for end customers.

"FlexBins let us store a wider range of products in the same Grid, which is critical for a fast-growing grocery business like ours. By onboarding this solution, we expect to simplify operations, increase efficiency, and speed up order consolidation, ultimately giving customers faster and more reliable deliveries," says Richard McKenzie, CEO of Veloq. 

Technology expansion

The introduction of FlexBins and related technologies follows a period of product development for AutoStore, including the previous launches of CarouselAI for robotic item picking and VersaPort for adapting to varied workstation workflows. AutoStore has also extended its Pio automation offering for small businesses and entered new sectors with projects such as Opollo Farm, a robotic vertical farm operated in partnership with OnePointOne, now supplying Whole Foods.

These developments indicate AutoStore's continued focus on reducing operational complexity, increasing storage and order efficiency, and enabling higher performance from automated fulfillment systems, especially for industries facing fast-changing customer expectations and external challenges.