Coca-Cola Automates Warehouse Cleaning with Robots
Gausium and mR Mobile Robots are deploying autonomous cleaning robots at a Coca-Cola warehouse facility in Germany. The move reflects a broader trend in industrial automation toward adaptive, agentic systems that can operate continuously in dynamic environments. The robots are designed to handle changing layouts and traffic patterns, a key requirement for modern logistics operations.
- The deployment took place at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners' (CCEP) facility in Knetzgau, Germany, a site with around 500 employees that fills approximately 564 million liters per year. The pilot program utilized two models: the Gausium Scrubber 75, a larger unit for expansive floor areas, and the more compact Gausium Beetle for navigating tighter spaces. - This initiative is part of a broader automation strategy at CCEP, which includes investments in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), automated guided forklifts, and even testing a fully autonomous, self-driving electric truck for outdoor pallet transport. The company's intelligent automation program has reportedly saved 17 million euros and reduced error rates by nearly 80% across various business units. - The Gausium Scrubber 75P, an industrial-grade model, is equipped with a sensor array including 3D LiDAR, 2D LiDAR, and 3D cameras to perceive its environment and avoid obstacles. It can clean over 32,000 square feet per hour and features a 270° rotational scrub deck to clean 90° corners effectively. - The implementation partner, mR Mobile Robots GmbH, has been a pioneer in integrating collaborative robotics since 2009. They proactively approached CCEP with the Gausium solution to address challenges like rising cleaning costs and labor shortages in a facility that operates on a 24/6 shift model with heavy forklift traffic. - A key challenge identified during the multi-month trial was the interaction between autonomous cleaning robots and the heavy, continuous forklift traffic inherent in the 24/6 operational schedule. Future project phases will focus on refining the collaboration between the robots and human-operated vehicles to ensure safety and efficiency. - The deployment is a response to high hygiene standards required in the food and beverage industry. By automating cleaning during weekends and off-hours, CCEP could maintain a consistently high level of cleanliness and free up employees to concentrate on core logistics tasks. - The robots can be deployed in under an hour at a 3,000 square meter site and use advanced SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology to navigate. Optional workstations enable the robots to autonomously charge themselves and manage their water levels. - Coca-Cola is also exploring the use of digital twin technology to create virtual models of its warehouses to analyze and optimize activities. This aligns with the trend of using AI and IoT sensors to monitor warehouse conditions in real-time, allowing robots to optimize cleaning strategies based on changing environmental data.
