A humanoid robot could be worth considering for a limited picking pilot if you can test changing picking tasks and connection to your existing warehouse management system in your own operation. The 4NE1 deployment at BITZER with SAP S/4HANA EWM, as described by NEURA Robotics, is a single proof of concept, not evidence that it will suit other warehouses. For standardised individual-item picking, you should also assess a specialist picking solution. If transport is the bottleneck, an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is a more appropriate option to compare.
For warehouse teams looking to trial changing orders and exceptions using representative items, while testing the connection to their warehouse management system. NEURA Robotics describes a 4NE1 pilot of this kind at BITZER with SAP S/4HANA EWM; you will need to check whether it can be applied to other workflows in your own warehouse.
If individual items are picked from suitable containers as part of a largely standardised process, a specialist picking solution should be included in your comparison. SSI SCHÄFER describes its SSI Piece Picking solution for this purpose, with robotic picking integrated through WAMAS Robotics.
If your main requirement is moving pallets or containers between set handover points, assess transport and individual-item picking separately. Jungheinrich positions its autonomous mobile robots for transport tasks; this does not mean they can pick individual items from shelves.
When order volumes fluctuate, start by identifying the actual bottleneck: changing picking tasks, repeatable picking or transport between handover points. Whichever option you consider, you will still need to test process integration and assess the intended workplace.
Worth considering: If you want a defined pilot to test changing picking tasks, including the necessary process integration. NEURA Robotics describes the 4NE1 deployment at BITZER with SAP S/4HANA EWM for this purpose.
Limitation: This single proof of concept does not demonstrate integration with every warehouse management system or suitability for other items and warehouse layouts.
Worth considering: If individual items need to be picked from suitable containers as part of a repeatable process, as with the piece-picking solution described by SSI SCHÄFER.
Limitation: Suitability depends on your specific product mix, how easy items are to grip and how the system integrates with your equipment.
Worth considering: If repeated material transport between defined points is the bottleneck, such as the pallet transport described by Jungheinrich for the arculee M.
Limitation: A transport solution does not automatically pick and place individual items.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Picking tasks | Test representative items, containers and grasp positions; set out-of-the-ordinary cases as acceptance criteria. | If your orders change frequently, the solution needs to handle the picking tasks you actually face. For around 22% of buyers, this process coverage is the top priority. |
| WMS integration | Specify interfaces for the WMS release you use; test order changes and recovery after an interruption. | You need reliable order and status handovers to make sure the robot fits into your warehouse workflow. Around 28% of buyers give integration their top priority. |
| Safe collaboration | Assess traffic routes, grippers, loads and foreseeable disruptions at the intended workplace. | If the robot will work alongside your team, the specific layout must be included in the safety assessment. This is the main concern for around 28% of buyers. |
| Pilot and operation | Agree acceptance criteria, responsibilities when faults occur, servicing and how to return to manual processes. | A successful trial is only useful if ongoing support and operations are planned afterwards. Around 22% of buyers consider this their top priority. |
The 4NE1 deployment at BITZER described by NEURA Robotics relates to a specific process using SAP EWM. It does not automatically cover other items, WMS versions or workflows.
Keep the pilot focused on defined tasks. Before expanding it, test representative items and disruptions, and set measurable acceptance criteria.
Integration testing, training and a fallback process for manual picking may involve additional work.
An AMR for material transport moves goods between handover points, but does not automatically identify, grip and place a range of individual items.
Separate transport, picking, scanning and fault handling in your planned workflow. Then assess the right technology for each bottleneck.
Under section 3 of Germany’s Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, risk assessments must also take work equipment, the working environment and workflows into account, and should begin before selection and procurement. The Institute for Occupational Safety and Health of the German Social Accident Insurance emphasises the intended workplace when it comes to collaborative robots.
Involve suitably qualified people and assess the robot, gripper, load, traffic routes and foreseeable disruptions together.
Required protective measures, training and changes to traffic routes can affect the scope of your pilot.
When inspecting relevant electrical and electronic products, the Federal Network Agency checks details including labelling, conformity documentation, and German instructions and warnings. Documents should match the configuration you are actually buying.
Before purchasing, request documentation that clearly identifies the model and variant, and check the German operating and safety instructions.
NEURA Robotics positions 4NE1 for industrial environments, including logistics. The company describes a picking pilot at BITZER using SAP S/4HANA EWM.
Jungheinrich offers autonomous mobile robots for intralogistics transport tasks, including the arculee M for pallets.
SSI SCHÄFER describes SSI Piece Picking for automated individual-item picking and WAMAS Robotics for integrating robotic processes into the logistics system.
No. NEURA Robotics describes a proof of concept at BITZER in which 4NE1 carried out picking tasks using SAP EWM business logic. A different product range, layout or WMS requires its own process and integration test.
The interface needs to suit the specific robot function and integration architecture. The SAP Community lists OData APIs, the EWM WCU IDoc interface, SOAP web services and RFCs among the possible options. Test your choice with the EWM release you use and the order and exception workflows you need.
No. Under section 3 of Germany’s Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health, a risk assessment is required for the intended use of work equipment, and should begin before selection and procurement. The CE mark does not replace an assessment of the workplace, workflows and foreseeable disruptions.
Check the CE mark, conformity documentation for the variant you are buying, and German operating and safety instructions. The Federal Network Agency refers to such information in its market surveillance of electrical and electronic products with radio functions; you will also need to assess the specific workplace before putting the robot into operation.