Symbotic buys a German sorter made of small, steered cells

DC Velocity reported that Symbotic bought Cellumation, the Bremen company behind the celluveyor. The system is described as hundreds of independently controlled, omnidirectional cells, a software-driven sorter meant to stand in for a run of conventional conveyor.

Symbotic says the technology can simplify a cell and free floor space for storage, with a chance to lower capital cost. After the close, Cellumation keeps its name and its German headquarters. The article also recalls Walmart’s 2022 plan to put Symbotic robotics in all 42 regional distribution centers, and SoftBank’s stake and warehouse-as-a-service venture.

A floor of small driven cells fails differently than a belt and a gearbox. The crew still needs the symptom, the drawing, and the part. The machine under the carton is just a new shape.