China Hong Kong's Kerry Logistics Network Ltd has introduced six fully automated and programmed robotic "butlers" at its flagship facility, PC 3, in China Hong Kong to enhance fulfilment efficiency and accuracy.

The robotic butlers are being deployed in the company's order fulfilment centre where predominantly high volumes of small and irregular sales orders from retailers or e-commerce marketplaces are processed.

Real-time sales orders are transmitted to the robotic butlers via its proprietary warehouse management system. Designated shelves are then picked and delivered to the pick station. The system indicates the right items to be picked for shipments using a simple lighting system and every item is tracked via barcodes, said the Kerry release.

"Currently, the robotic butlers operate 24/7 and can pick 280 items per hour compared to 50 items in the normal course and the pick rate is four times faster. This solution is ideal for retail brands which sell a wide variety of consumer products with potentially expanding e-commerce business," it said.