As warehouse operators face mounting pressure to boost throughput while managing labour constraints, artificial intelligence is emerging as the critical differentiator between efficient operations and costly bottlenecks. At MODEX 2026, Ocado Intelligent Automation (OIA) will unveil Ocado IQ, the cloud-based, AI-powered software that directs every pick, path, and priority from inbound to outbound. The system serves as the intelligence behind the company’s market-proven Chuck AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) and the pallet-moving Porter AMR, both of which will be on display at booths #B10119 and #B10719.
Unlike other robotic systems that lock facilities into a single pick mode, Ocado IQ’s artificial intelligence enables two intelligent pick modes – Sweep and TagTeam – to run concurrently across a site. This flexibility allows operations to optimize different zones based on product density, velocity, and layout, eliminating the inefficiencies of one-size-fits-all and swarm-style AMR approaches that can drag down productivity. At its MODEX booth, the OIA team will demonstrate both pick modes and show visitors how these options fit various fulfilment applications based on warehouse design and operational requirements.
Porter will also be on display with new design features. Porter automates pallet and cage handling, cross-docking, putaway, inventory moves, case picking, and piece picking. Designed for facilities with constrained layouts or mixed inventory profiles, Porter modernizes operations that have traditionally relied on manual forklifts and trolleys without major capital investment. The system will be available by the end of 2026.
Chuck AMR will be on the scene too. Retailers like Foot Locker, Lulus, CB2 and Paddywax are using these bots to lower costs and make warehouse work easier and more sustainable as they collaborate with associates to expedite daily fulfilment tasks such as putaway, picking, sortation and returns. Deployed in over 120 warehouses and distribution centres worldwide, Chuck AMR implementations deliver two to three times efficiency gains and 50% lower labour costs compared to manual pick operations.
MODEX attendees responsible for 5,000 order lines a day or more than 10,000 SKUs will want to stop by to see the Ocado Storage and Retrieval System (OSRS) – the fastest, densest cubic storage technology available for high-throughput fulfilment operations in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, retail apparel and third-party logistics sectors. Built on an ultra-light frame, a 12-by-12- by-12 cell grid with six OSRS Robots will be operating in real time.
Watch the robots pass each other at high velocity, thanks to Ocado’s patented, single cell design. Bots move at high efficiency to fetch inventory totes and drop them at a pick station or at one of the On-Grid Robotic Pick Arms for order assembly.
Originally written by: Will Priestman
Source: Logistics Business
Published on: 13 April 2026
Link to original article: AI Robotics & Automation Showcased at MODEX 2026
