R500

Overview

The Geek+ R500 is a goods-to-person autonomous mobile robot (AMR) that operates as a shelving carrier within a pod-based fulfilment system. Rather than sending workers to pick from static racking, the R500 drives beneath portable shelving pods and transports them to fixed picking stations where human operators select items. This goods-to-person model dramatically reduces picker walking time and enables dense storage configurations that would be impractical for human navigation. The R500 carries up to 500 kg and operates at 2 m/s, achieving high throughput in large-scale facilities.

Key Specifications

• Payload: 500 kg
• Operating speed: 2 m/s
• Runtime: 8 hours (opportunity charging supported)
• Navigation: Magnetic grid or QR code floor matrix
• Price: Approximately $20,000 per unit

The R500 operates within a structured grid zone, which requires floor preparation (QR code sticker installation) but delivers highly predictable and collision-free routing. Geek+ provides the fleet management software, which integrates with WMS platforms to manage task prioritisation and charging schedules.

Use Cases

The R500 is deployed extensively in high-volume e-commerce fulfilment, pharmaceutical distribution, and apparel logistics. UK operations with tight building footprints benefit from the system's dense storage capability, as pod rows can be packed without aisle spacing. Geek+ has a regional UK presence and has completed deployments for several major British retailers and 3PL operators.

Typical pick rates in a well-optimised Geek+ goods-to-person installation reach 400 to 600 picks per operator hour, compared with 60 to 80 picks per hour in a conventional walk-and-pick operation.

Buying Used

Second-hand R500 units do appear occasionally via logistics equipment dealers when operators upgrade to newer Geek+ models or restructure facilities. However, the floor QR matrix, fleet management software licensing, and integration configuration mean that purchasing used units requires careful negotiation with Geek+ to transfer support and software access. Contact Geek+ UK directly before committing to any used purchase.

Alternatives to Consider

• AutoStore for even denser grid-based goods-to-person storage
• Ocado Smart Platform for grocery-specific goods-to-person automation
• Hai Robotics HAIPICK for a tote-based picking alternative with vertical storage