Novabev Group and Yandex Robotics are automating warehouse operations

Novabev Group (hereinafter referred to as ’the Company’, ’the Group’, ticker: BELU), Russia’s largest alcohol company, has introduced Yandex Robotics inventory robots at its largest distribution center in Moscow. This is the group’s first warehouse automation project — the robots will increase inventory speed and accuracy tenfold.

The robots operate autonomously within the distribution center, moving between shelves, scanning goods and sending data to the warehouse management system (WMS). This enables pallets of goods to be automatically checked into storage locations and discrepancies to be quickly rectified. The robot is equipped with lidar, cameras, ultrasonic sensors and safety sensors to enable this.

Previously, such monotonous operations were performed manually by employees. Now, however, robots perform these tasks without the need to stop warehouse operations for long periods of time, freeing workers from routine and high-altitude tasks in the warehouse. The time taken to calculate one aisle has increased by a factor of 60 — it now takes minutes rather than hours, as was previously the case with manual checks.

For Novabev Group, the robotisation of warehouses is a necessary and logical step in implementing strategic initiatives to introduce innovations, improve customer service and automate operations. The company is developing a culture of continuous improvement where advanced technologies are used to boost business efficiency and facilitate employee development.

The automation of retail and logistics operations is becoming increasingly common. According to a study by Yandex Robotics and Industrial Robotics (formerly KUKA), 88% of companies intend to use mobile robots (AMRs) in their warehouses and 71% intend to implement ten or more of these devices. This growing interest in robotisation is linked to the practical problems that automation solves. One third (32%) of companies see it as a means of increasing productivity, while a further 30% view it as a solution to staff shortages.