On November 27, Nichirei Logistics Group Headquarters held a facility tour of its "R&D (Research & Development) Center" located in Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo.
This facility, which was opened last April, was designed to conduct demonstration experiments using robots and material handling equipment to explore how to automate and streamline demanding tasks in low-temperature environments such as refrigeration and freezing, and to verify their full-scale implementation in the field. This was the first time it was open to the public.
The R&D center will occupy the first floor of the Logistics Network Shinagawa Logistics Center, a five-story building with one basement floor and a total floor area of approximately 19,000 square meters.
Within the 1092m2 space, there are loading/unloading areas connected to truck berths (approximately 5°C), a refrigerated area (3-5°C), and a freezing area (-20°C), where AGVs and other equipment are operated in environments close to those of the actual work site.
<Horizontal transport racks in the refrigeration area (left) and 3D pallet shuttle (right)>
In the refrigeration area, we installed Sanshin Metal Industries' horizontal transport rack "iShuttle" and Phoxter's 3D pallet shuttle system "ZIKOO".
The system involves using a forklift to set goods at the opening of a rack and moving them along rails, eliminating the need for forklift operators to enter the back of the warehouse to perform loading and unloading operations; these tasks can now be completed at the opening.
The 3D Pallet Shuttle offers flexibility in expansion and relocation, and allows for high-density racking even in existing, older warehouses like the Shinagawa Logistics Center, enabling goods to be stored while avoiding columns and beams.
They are also considering integrating it with automated forklifts to further reduce manpower.
<Refrigerated AMR under development>
In collaboration with manufacturers, we are also developing AMRs that can operate in frozen areas. We are currently testing whether the sensors and cameras can operate stably in environments as cold as -20°C, or when moving between areas with different temperature ranges, and whether they can adapt to daily changes in the location of the cargo.
<Arm robots and AGVs in the refrigerated area>
In the refrigerated area, Mujin's robotic arms and AGVs are being used in conjunction to verify not only the transfer of goods but also their coordination with AGV-assisted transport.
<Palette AGV>
<AGV Cage Cart>
In addition, Phoxter's pallet AGV "HIKROBOT" and Toyota L&F's cage cart AGV "KEY CART" are in use in the loading and unloading area. The goal is to efficiently reduce the workload throughout the entire process, from transportation and delivery to warehouse operations.
<Kitagawa, Managing Director and Executive Officer>
At the announcement, Rintaro Kitagawa, Managing Director and Executive Officer of Nichirei Logistics Group, said, "Business innovation is an essential theme in the harsh warehouse environment of low-temperature logistics. We believe we have an obligation to take the lead in the industry in addressing this issue."
In its medium-term management plan, the company has designated "further strengthening of a sustainable logistics infrastructure" as one of its key initiatives, and plans to accelerate this through the full-scale introduction of robots via its R&D center.
<Katsumata, General Manager of Operations>
Furthermore, General Manager of Operations, Mitsuru Katsumata, stated, "The extremely cold and harsh working environment will only exacerbate the labor shortage. I believe that not only 'reducing manpower' but also 'making tasks accessible to anyone,' even those without expertise, is a valuable initiative. We aim for low-temperature logistics that achieves the best possible balance between people and machines."
■ Overview of Nichirei Logistics Group R&D Center
Location: 5-3-34 Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo (1st floor of Shinagawa Logistics Center)
Access: 10 minutes by Toei Bus (Shinagawa Wharf Loop) from Shinagawa Station, 15 minutes on foot from Tennozu Isle Station, 2km from Shibaura IC and 3km from Oi IC on the Metropolitan Expressway, 3km from National Route 357
Total floor area: 1092 m2
Equipment capacity: 1320 tons
Truck berths: 3 berths
