Efficiency in logistics: Zalando rolls out Nomagic AI robots across Europe

Business

Credit: Zalando

PRESS RELEASE

Automated translation

Read the original de or fr nl

Zalando is supercharging its logistics backbone with the roll-out of up to 50 AI-driven Nomagic robots across its European fulfilment network. This expansion also introduces a world-first solution to one of the industry's toughest hurdles: the automated handling of shoeboxes.

Enhancing the customer & employee experience

The robotic units, affectionately named 'Richard,' specialise in item-level picking, scanning, and seamless induction into automated pocket sorters. Using Nomagic’s leading AI and computer vision, these robots recognise materials and shapes to adjust their grip in real-time. By continuously learning and adapting to shifting inventory, the technology proves vital in managing the vast, high-rotation assortment of fashion and lifestyle products within Zalando’s fulfilment centres. By doing so, Zalando ensures that orders are processed with accuracy and fast turnaround.

“The testing phase with Nomagic proved that their robotics are an excellent fit for Zalando's logistics centres. Following the quick and successful deployment of the first ten units, we have decided to scale our partnership, gradually rolling out more robots as our network evolves,” said Marcus Daute, Vice President Logistics Network at Zalando. “The sheer scale of our operations demands smart automation that works with our people, not alongside them. By delegating simple processes to AI-powered robots, we achieve the operational excellence our customers and business partners expect while supporting employees’ growth.”

Credit: Zalando

Solving the “shoebox challenge”

While automation is common in logistics, shoeboxes have historically been one of the most challenging items to automate in fashion logistics; their loose lids often detach when handled by standard robotic arms.

To overcome this, the Shoebox Picker utilises a specialised software-hardware synergy:

AI-powered vision: Advanced computer vision is guiding the physical hardware. This allows the robot to "recognise" the specific product type and its orientation in real-time, automatically adjusting its grip type and picking technique to suit each individual item and its orientation.
Precision grippers: The robots are equipped with custom-engineered grippers that secure the box from two sides, ensuring the lid remains intact during transit.

“Zalando has a great team we collaborate with, both on a project management level and in the warehouses. We highly value our partnership, their trust and especially their openness to implement the latest automation technology like the new Shoebox Picker,” said Kacper Nowicki, CEO and Co-Founder of Nomagic. “By combining the intelligence of AI with a physical system, it solves real-life physical challenges and turns one of the industry's biggest bottlenecks into a streamlined, automated process. We are looking forward to continuing this journey with Zalando.”

A pan-European roll-out

Following a successful pilot project that achieved a staggering 100,000 picks per day, Zalando is set to significantly scale its partnership with Nomagic. The rollout is already underway and will see up to 50 robotic systems integrated across the network.

The first units are already in use in Germany (Lahr, Moenchengladbach) and Italy (Verona). Additional robots will be deployed across Zalando’s key logistics hubs in the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Sweden (Stockholm), France (Paris) and Zalando’s newest fulfilment centre in Giessen (Germany), which is scheduled for its operational ramp-up later this year.

This article was translated to English using an AI tool.

Logistics

Zalando