“Traditional ASRS systems require aisles for cranes or forklifts. This robotic cube system eliminates that waste,” states Bob Jones, Senior Analyst and Consultant at ISD. “You’re storing inventory in what used to be empty air. That matters when you’re paying $15 per square foot.”
Summary: ISD’s new URBX Cube robotic ASRS utilizes AI-driven robots to navigate a storage grid structure, moving vertically and horizontally to store and retrieve totes without any mining or pre-sequencing. The system reaches heights up to 125 feet, handles loads up to 100 pounds and delivers up to 500 totes or cases per hour per robot.
The Floor Space Problem Gets Worse
Distribution centers and warehouses face a fundamental constraint—they’re running out of room. Adding square footage increases inefficiencies and wastes valuable time. Industrial real estate rates continue climbing. Building new facilities takes 18-24 months and requires capital expenditures that strain budgets.
Meanwhile, inventory requirements increase. SKU proliferation forces warehouses to stock more items in more variations. Ecommerce returns add to storage demands. Safety stock levels rise to buffer against supply chain disruptions.
The math doesn’t work. You need 40% more storage capacity but can’t expand your footprint. Traditional solutions—racking configurations, mezzanines, off-site storage—don’t solve the core problem.
“We’ve seen operations store inventory in trailers parked in their lots,” Romaine explains. “That’s not a storage strategy. That’s desperation. You can’t efficiently pick from a trailer 200 yards from your packing stations. I’ve seen a facility that parked trailers permanently at non-essential dock doors and just kept the doors open and utilized it as storage. This creates hazards and congestion and simply indicates a much larger problem… lack of floor space. “
How URBX Cube Robotics ASRS Changes the Equation
The new ISD URBX Cube robotic ASRS operates on different principles than conventional crane and aisle and other Cube automated storage systems.
Instead of using cranes moving through fixed aisles, autonomous robots traverse a three-dimensional grid structure. They climb vertically and move horizontally without dedicated travel lanes. Each robot accesses any storage location within the grid. The system stores totes in a dense Cube arrangement—eliminating the wasted aisle space that traditional ASRS requires.
The storage density improvements are significant. A Cube robotic system typically achieves 3-4 times the storage capacity of conventional racking in the same footprint. The system reaches heights up to 125 feet—utilizing vertical space, which most facilities leave empty.
Each robot handles up to 100 pounds and completes up to 500 presentations per hour. That’s 1000 transactions hourly when counting both storage and retrieval operations.
Multiple robots work simultaneously within the same grid structure, scaling throughput based on demand.
“Think of it as three-dimensional chess,” notes Ed Romaine, VP Marketing and Business Development at ISD. “The robots know where every tote or case sits. AI-driven software constantly optimizes their pathways. They’re storing popular SKUs in easily accessible locations and moving slow-movers to deeper positions—automatically, continuously, without human intervention.”
Technical Specifications That Matter
The system’s capabilities address real operational requirements:
Storage Performance
• Handles cases and/or totes
• Maximum height: 125 feet
• Load capacity: up to 100 pounds per tote
• Tote or case handling rate: 500 per hour per robot
• Transaction rate: 1000 storage/retrieval cycles per robot hourly
• Tote and case dimensions: accommodates 6-inch to 24-inch containers for maximum flexibility
Integration Capabilities
• Compatible with standard conveyor systems
• Interfaces with warehouse management software (WMS), warehouse control systems (WCS) and/or warehouse execution systems (WES)
• Integrates with existing pick-to-light and goods-to-person technologies
• Integrates with palletizers and outbound shipping systems
Operational Features
• Machine learning algorithms optimize robot tasking and routing
• AI-driven grid technology maximizes throughput
• Vision systems detect dimensions, anomalies, and barcodes
• Redundant robot fleet ensures continuous operation
System Architecture
• Modular design allows phased implementation
• Scalable configuration grows with business requirements
• Fault-tolerant operation continues during individual robot maintenance
• Remote monitoring enables predictive maintenance
Real-World Applications
The Cube robotic ASRS serves multiple industries facing storage and throughput challenges. Ecommerce operations benefit from rapid order fulfillment speeds and high inventory visibility. The system handles split-case picking efficiently—a critical requirement for direct-to-consumer fulfillment.
Case handling applications allows organizations to cost-effectively store, sequence, buffer, stage, and retrieve cases automatically without any human intervention.
Retail distribution centers use the technology for omnichannel order processing. The same system fulfills store replenishment orders and individual customer shipments without reconfiguration.
Third-party logistics providers leverage the system’s flexibility to serve multiple clients from shared facilities. They reconfigure storage allocations quickly as customer requirements change.
Pharmaceutical distributors appreciate the system’s accuracy and inventory control capabilities. The technology provides real-time location tracking and supports first-expired-first-out (FEFO) picking strategies.
Electronics manufacturers utilize the system for component storage and kitting operations. The high-density storage accommodates thousands of low-volume SKUs in minimal floor space.
“One automotive parts distributor we worked with needed to double their SKU count without expanding their building,” Romaine states. “Traditional racking couldn’t deliver that. The Cube robotic system gave them 3.5 times their previous storage capacity in the same footprint. They canceled a planned facility expansion that would have cost $12 million.”
URBX Cube Robotics ASRS Implementation Approach
ISD’s OptimalOps-Process framework guides Cube robotic ASRS implementations from initial assessment through system validation.
The process starts with comprehensive data analysis. ISD examines order profiles, SKU velocity, inventory characteristics, and workflow patterns. This analysis determines optimal system sizing and configuration.
Design work considers both upstream and downstream operations. The Cube ASRS doesn’t operate in isolation—it connects to receiving processes, picking workstations, packing stations, and shipping sorters. ISD designs these integration points for seamless material flow.
Implementation planning addresses operational continuity. Most facilities can’t shut down for system installation. ISD develops phased deployment strategies that maintain operations during construction and commissioning.
Training programs prepare staff for new workflows. Technology changes how workers interact with inventory. Comprehensive training ensures smooth transitions and rapid productivity ramp-up.
“The technology works beautifully—when it’s implemented correctly,” Romaine emphasizes. “Poor integration kills ROI. We’ve seen expensive systems underperform because nobody thought about how totes move from receiving to the ASRS input, or how picked orders flow to packing stations. You need integrators who understand the entire workflow, not just the equipment.”
Return on Investment Factors for URBX Cube Robotics ASRS
Cube robotic ASRS investments typically deliver ROI through multiple operational improvements:
Labor Reduction Manual picking requires workers to travel, search, and retrieve items. The Cube system brings inventory to stationary picking positions. Labor productivity typically improves 3-4 times compared to manual operations.
Space Optimization Increased storage density eliminates expansion requirements. Organizations avoid capital expenditures for building additions or new facilities. Some operations consolidate multiple locations into single automated facilities.
Accuracy Improvement Automated storage and retrieval eliminates location errors. Vision systems verify tote contents. Pick accuracy typically exceeds 99.9%—reducing returns, customer complaints, and reshipment costs.
Throughput Capacity The system scales throughput by adding robots to the grid structure. Organizations handle peak volumes without temporary labor surges or overtime expenses.
Inventory Visibility Real-time location tracking provides accurate inventory data. Organizations reduce safety stock requirements and improve inventory turns.
“One Ecommerce operation calculated their payback at 22 months,” notes Romaine. “They eliminated 18 picking positions, gained 12,000 additional pallet positions, and improved order accuracy from 98.1% to 99.7%. Those aren’t hypothetical benefits. They’re documented results measured six months post-implementation.”
Why ISD as Your URBX Cube Robotics ASRS Integration Partner
ISD brings 60-plus years of warehouse automation experience to Cube robotic ASRS implementations. The company’s OEM-agnostic approach ensures clients receive optimal solutions rather than vendor-locked specifications.
ISD’s expertise extends beyond equipment installation. The company analyzes entire facility operations—from receiving through shipping—designing integrated solutions that maximize performance across all processes.
The OptimalOps-Process framework provides systematic methodology for assessment, design, implementation, and validation. This structured approach minimizes risk and accelerates time to full productivity.
ISD maintains relationships with leading material handling equipment manufacturers. This network provides access to proven technologies and ensures long-term support availability.
“We’re integrators who happen to manufacture some products—not manufacturers trying to be integrators,” Romaine concludes. “That difference matters. We recommend Cube robotics if it’s the right solution. We recommend other technologies when they fit better. Your operational success is our success. We’re partners, not vendors.”
For organizations evaluating automated storage solutions or seeking to optimize existing warehouse operations, ISD offers free consultations to assess operational performance and identify improvement opportunities.
About ISD – Integrated Systems Design
ISD is a leading systems integrator specializing in warehouse, distribution, and manufacturing operations, as well as an OEM provider of the UltraStore Mid-Load ASRS system. Our proprietary OptimalOps-Process™ features an 8-step framework designed to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, expedite ROI, and future-proof operations by optimizing picking, sorting, packing, and shipping processes.
At ISD, we prioritize collaboration, working closely with clients to define objectives, conduct comprehensive data analyses, and implement strategic planning. This partnership creates high-performance, tailored solutions that align with operational and business KPIs.
Our extensive offerings encompass conveyor systems, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), robotics, sortation systems, warehouse software, pallet handling, packaging automation, and order fulfillment technologies.
With 60-plus years of experience and an OEM-agnostic approach, ISD delivers customized solutions that maximize ROI and operational effectiveness. For more information, visit www.isddd.com or contact eromaine@isddd.com.
Video Link: https://youtu.be/vfHuAcZZpNQ
