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ITOKI CORPORATION (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Koji Minato) has developed the "X-NR (Project Code)" storage-specific automated transport system, which also has a high-speed cargo sorting function, as a new proposal to optimize storage functions in the logistics industry, which is currently undergoing restructuring due to restrictions on driver work hours and labor shortages.

This represents a new direction for the Systema Streamer "SAS" series as a specialized storage model that combines "high-speed inbound and outbound processing" and "storage efficiency." It will be launched on the market in 2026 as a new high-storage logistics solution, and is expected to be used in primary storage facilities in the manufacturing industry, e-commerce logistics centers, and on-site locations where handling of a wide variety of small lots such as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics is required.

In the logistics industry, the full implementation of regulations capping driver working hours has led to serious shortages of transport capacity and manpower. The "Logistics Innovation Emergency Package (※1)" announced by the government in 2023 estimates that there will be a shortage of transport capacity of up to 34% in fiscal 2030, and it is considered urgent to make structural changes such as "strengthening functions within bases" and "distributing inventory" that are not dependent on transport.

On the other hand, with the expansion of the EC market and the acceleration of frequent and small-lot deliveries, logistics centers are required to achieve both flexible loading and unloading and high storage efficiency. Against this background, ITOKI has developed a new model of automated transport system, "X-NR (Project Code)."

This product maintains the high-speed processing performance of sorting, matching, and picking, a strength of the existing model "SAS-R," while enhancing functions to improve storage efficiency, thereby meeting new market needs in storage applications such as primary buffering and sorting processes.

While inheriting the high-speed storage and retrieval processing capabilities achieved through the sequencing, matching and picking functions that are the strengths of the existing shuttle-type automated warehouse "SAS-R," a vertical lifting mechanism has been added to the shuttle trolley. This makes "three-dimensional picking" possible in both horizontal and vertical directions, making this a product that achieves both the "high-speed storage and retrieval processing" achieved through the sequencing, matching and picking functions of a shuttle-type automated warehouse and the "storage efficiency" of a stacker crane-type automated warehouse.

Our existing model, "SAS-R," has the transportation capabilities to handle packages of various shapes and sizes, including containers, cardboard boxes, and folding containers. In order to further improve its handling capabilities, the picking mechanism unit of the new "X-NR (Project Code)" has been made thinner. This has strengthened its ability to handle low-height packages, achieving greater storage efficiency than ever before.

This product comes with maintenance decks set up at approximately 2m intervals inside the warehouse as standard. By ensuring an independent work space on each floor, it achieves high safety and work efficiency in emergency response and regular inspection and maintenance work. Furthermore, because it is possible to separate and respond to each work area, smooth maintenance can be performed with reduced risk of downtime during operation.

• ITOKI's solutions for factories and logistics facilities (Systema Streamer SAS, etc.)
  https://www.itoki.jp/solution/field/distribution/
  *1 Emergency Logistics Innovation Package
• Cabinet Secretariat
  https://www.cas.go.jp/jp/seisaku/buturyu_kakushin/pdf/kinkyu_package_1006.pdf
• Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
  https://www.mlit.go.jp/seisakutokatsu/content/001725232.pdf