Netto relies on load carrier control from invisium

The industrial image processing start-up invisium announces the beginning of its project partnership with Netto Marken-Discount Stiftung & Co. KG, headquartered in Maxhütte-Haidhof, Bavaria. The discount grocery retailer is part of the Edeka food retail group and will rely on invisium as a partner for fully automated load carrier control in spring 2025 after a successful multi-month testing phase.

(Göppingen/Maxhütte-Haidhof) To this end, the start-up, founded in 2020, will initially equip two central warehouses of Netto Marken-Discount with a total of three VisionPorts, a multifunctional scanning system that can capture and track reusable load carriers such as EPAL pallets, freezer containers, EPS boxes, and big boxes in just a few seconds. This way, the use and return of reusable load carriers can be controlled more efficiently, reducing the need for new purchases and lowering costs. Companies can optimize their own stocks, and they do not need to conduct regular inventories of their load carriers, which are associated with high manual and personnel effort.

In the central warehouse of the grocery retailer, the VisionPort ensures automatic counting of load carriers across multiple stations. This includes the return of empty pallets and boxes to the pooling providers as well as the acceptance of mixed pallets from Netto stores, but also automatic goods recognition. In further, already planned project phases, the solution is set to implement additional use cases with more complex application profiles, for which invisium is already conducting corresponding test runs in a Netto central warehouse.

“The concept of the VisionPort convinced us because it aligns with our value concept of sustainably using resource-saving packaging concepts in the form of reusable load carriers. This requires a high level of transparency – exactly what the VisionPort provides. After an intensive testing phase with various scenarios, its practicality has been proven, and the system has established itself against comparable solutions. We welcome the opportunity to deepen our collaboration,” says Dennis Ludwig, Head of Merchandise Management at Netto Marken-Discount.

High reliability thanks to innovative technology

The VisionPort is equipped with cloud-based 2D, 3D, and AI technologies that recognize all standard load carriers, making the scanner usable across companies. The man-high system, in the form of a door frame, is implemented directly behind a hall gate through which drivers or warehouse employees transport load carriers on a forklift. Several powerful cameras are installed on the sides and top of the VisionPort, which take several dozen images in just a few milliseconds and transmit them to a computer. Using AI, it first detects what type of object is approaching the VisionPort to trigger the images only when load carriers such as pallets or mesh boxes pass through the system. People or forklifts are not recorded.

The core of the VisionPort is the software developed by invisium itself. This fulfills a wide range of tasks, including object recognition and measurement, as well as decoding 1D and 2D codes. It also includes reading inscriptions such as lettering or embossing stamps. To ensure the plausibility of the images, the system’s outputs are checked for accuracy using AI. This allows the VisionPort to achieve an image reliability of over 99.8 percent, while alternative systems, such as handheld scanners or tablets, are around 85 percent.

Easy implementation leaves processes unaffected

By positioning the scanner directly behind the hall gate, established logistics processes remain unchanged. Drivers or warehouse employees can continue their usual paths in and out of the hall, and upstream and downstream workflows are unaffected by the implementation of the VisionPort. A key requirement for this is that employees can pass through the VisionPort flexibly and independently of their direction of travel. They also do not need to stop or approach the system at a specific angle for a successful scan. With fully automated operation, they can focus entirely on their tasks in the warehouse. Another advantage is that all data captured by the scan remains fully in the hands of invisium’s customer companies, which can use it to unlock further optimization potential in their processes.

“The start of our first project is a success that we are very pleased about. We have long seen the need for a solution like the VisionPort in light of many current challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers. It was therefore even more important for us to develop a system that offers companies efficient support in the multiple capture of various transport loads while being associated with as little implementation effort as possible. We thank Netto Marken-Discount for their trust and look forward to further collaboration,” says Stefan Zweigler, founder and managing director of invisium.

Photo: © invisium