Article
AutoStore vs. Noyes – Advantages of Both Systems
A comprehensive comparison of the AutoStore system and the NOYES warehouse system – how both work and which warehouse automation solution is right for you.
AutoStore vs. Noyes
With the robot-based warehouse from NOYES Technologies, there is another automation option available alongside already established warehouse systems such as shuttle warehouses, aisle-based storage and retrieval machines (SRMs), vertical lifts, and AutoStore warehouse systems. But when does a NOYES system actually make sense? In this article, we will explain the key differences and the respective advantages and disadvantages of each warehouse system, and show how both can contribute to more efficient warehouse operations.
What Is an AutoStore Warehouse?
An AutoStore warehouse is an advanced storage system that arranges containers in the form of a large cube. Access to individual containers is achieved from above by robots, which lift the containers and re-sort them until the correct container can be transported to the operator. Multiple robots are typically operated within a single storage cube so that retrieval times are as fast as possible.
The Advantages of AutoStore
- High Storage Density
Due to the innovative arrangement of AutoStore containers in a large cube formation, the warehouse achieves a comparatively high storage density at approximately 5 meters of storage height. At lower ceiling heights, this effect is diminished by the 1.5–2 meter clearance required above the top level for robot maintenance.
- High Resilience
The resilience of an automated warehouse system refers to its ability to maintain operations even when a component (such as an AutoStore robot) fails. In a system based on individual robots or shuttles, the failure of a single vehicle does not fundamentally impair the operation of the overall system. While throughput may be slightly reduced, operations remain functional. Containers that are temporarily blocked may not be immediately retrievable, but this can be addressed through redundant stock quantities. From this perspective, the AutoStore warehouse — like other robot-based systems — can be classified as highly resilient.
- Scalability
In most robot-based systems, robots can be added or removed with varying degrees of effort. This means throughput can be scaled with additional robots in line with customer demand, which can provide real added value — for example, in seasonal e-commerce logistics.
- Energy Efficiency
Another advantage of the AutoStore warehouse system over conventional warehouse automation using aisle-based SRMs is its superior energy efficiency, which is playing an increasingly noticeable role in warehouse design decisions.
The Advantages of Noyes
In principle, all of the advantages mentioned above also apply to a NOYES warehouse, since it too is based on individual robots. In addition, the following points play a role in the decision:
Optimized Storage Density for Low Ceiling Heights: The NOYES system achieves a comparable or even superior storage density at low ceiling heights of approximately 3–4 meters, as there is no maintenance area required above the top level.
No On-Site Maintenance Required: Thanks to the ability to return defective robots by post, virtually no on-site maintenance work is needed. Defective robots are pushed outward by the redundant robots available and sent back to NOYES by post. Replacing and onboarding new robots can be carried out by on-site operating personnel, as the robots weigh only 15 kg.
Short Setup and Commissioning Time: A NOYES warehouse can typically be assembled within a single working day. The robots are then inserted by hand, and the automated warehouse is ready for operation.
Flexibility and Modularity: With a minimum module size of approximately 70 x 50 cm, even the smallest corners and niches in a floor plan can be used for warehouse automation. Since no fixed anchoring is required, the system can be flexibly relocated to another storage site within a day. There is also full flexibility in how individual levels are operated — from a lane system for fast-moving items to storage with just one free module space for the densest possible storage of slow-moving SKUs.
Low-Cost Approach: The more decentralized the individual storage tier is positioned (e.g., close to the customer in an urban environment or in a factory near the assembly line), the more cost-effective the automation must be to deliver an appropriate ROI (return on investment).
AutoStore vs. Noyes: Conclusion
Compared to conventional warehouse automation in the form of aisle-based SRMs, robot-operated systems offer numerous advantages. In the case of NOYES, additional benefits specifically address smaller warehouse areas, opening up new application scenarios where automation solutions were previously not feasible. As a general rule, the closer a warehouse is to the customer and the smaller and more decentralized the storage structures are, the more seriously the use of NOYES Storage should be considered — even in locations where automation has not previously been on the agenda. If you decide on an AutoStore system, you can find more information on the official AutoStore website.
Author – Tim Stiefel
Head of Product @ Noyes Technologies