In context
In mid-2024, warehouse automation was rapidly evolving to meet the demands of e-commerce and fast-fashion retail, with a growing emphasis on inventory accuracy and real-time data integration. This partnership highlighted the trend of combining robotic goods-to-person systems with advanced RFID technology to enhance supply chain visibility.
What was reported
Exotec, a French warehouse robotics provider, appointed Clustag by Rielec as a strategic partner to deploy item-level RFID solutions in selected Skypod System projects, initially for a globally known fashion brand in the Netherlands.
The Skypod System features robots that climb racks up to 12 meters high to retrieve products autonomously, delivering totes to picking stations. It is scalable and can run continuously, with additional robots deployable during peak periods.
Clustag will supply its patented RFID MOT Station, which integrates RFID identification, case volume, and weight measurement. The station handles cases up to 850 x 650 x 650 mm, scanning up to 400 tags per case at speeds of 1,000 cases per hour, and is UL certified and CE-marked.
Clustag's ZENTUP software will integrate with Exotec's Warehouse Execution System, providing real-time product data—including type, color, and size—to improve stock decisions and order fulfillment.
“RFID technology plays a pivotal role in creating enhanced inventory accuracy within the warehouse.”
Why it mattered
This collaboration underscored the value of combining robotic automation with RFID for superior inventory visibility, enabling retailers to respond faster to fashion cycles and optimize fulfillment—an increasingly critical capability in modern industrial automation.
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2024-07-02 · “Exotec partners with Clustag to provide warehouse automation for global fashion brand”