ZS Robotics Enters Korea With Warehouse Automation

(Photo provided by ZS ROBOTICS) ZS Robotics, a global company specializing in automated pallet storage systems, announced on Oct 15 that it has established a local subsidiary in Seoul and will begin targeting the Korean and Northeast Asian markets. This corporate establishment is a measure to swiftly respond to the domestic demand for warehouse automation and high-density storage and to strengthen local, closely-tailored services. ZS Robotics has already proven its technological capabilities by completing projects with leading domestic companies in the renewable energy, electricity, food, and furniture sectors. In line with the trend of high-rise logistics warehouses in Korea, ZS Robotics has put forward its ultra-high-rise rack building solution, reaching a net height of 33m, as its core competitive edge. This features overcoming the limitation of existing 4-way shuttle technology, which was typically applied at heights of around 20m. By utilizing a ‘rack-building integration’ method, where the rack structure is erected first and then the building envelope is applied, the company increased rigidity and lowered the risk of column tilting or deformation that can occur in ultra-high-rise structures. Applying this solution can expand storage capacity by more than 30% within the same site area, leading to its evaluation as an optimized alternative for the Korean market where land prices are high. In fact, this technology was applied to a 33m-high warehouse of a domestic furniture company, and length-extended customized shuttles and high-speed lifters with a speed of 1.0m per second were deployed together to handle large cargo, thereby increasing operational efficiency. Customized technologies considering the specific characteristics of domestic logistics sites have also been introduced. Rental KPP pallets, widely used in the food and consumer goods industries, frequently experience deformation such as bending or sagging on the bottom surface during long-term use. While existing automated equipment often failed to recognize this, resulting in equipment jamming or cargo damage, the shuttles of ZS Robotics actively recognize the deformed areas to enable stable transfer. Through this, client companies can reduce pallet replacement costs amounting to tens of thousands of dollars and eliminate the risk of operational suspension. The company is also strengthening its heavy-load solutions aimed at heavy industries such as shipbuilding and automobile parts, which handle many heavy materials. The strategy is to satisfy the automated storage demand for heavy cargo such as engines and large molds through heavy-duty 4-way shuttles that can transport up to 2.5 tons, exceeding the load limit of 1.1~1.5 tons of general shuttles. It also provides customized solutions that optimize equipment protection ratings and materials for the pharmaceutical and food industries, where waterproofing, moisture-proofing, and cleanliness are important. In the pharmaceutical sector in particular, it is overcoming entry barriers in the regulated industry by pursuing the acquisition of certifications that meet Korean GMP standards. The Seoul subsidiary has established a full-cycle response system from prior consulting to installation, test operation, and post-maintenance through a specialized local team. Seo Ho, representative of ZS Robotics’ Korean subsidiary, stated, “In a situation where Korean warehouses are becoming high-rise, efficiently and stably utilizing limited space is the true challenge,” and added, “We will focus on solving the actual difficulties faced by Korean customers, from ultra-high-rise warehouses to non-standard pallet responses.” Meanwhile, ZS Robotics plans to narrow the communication distance with domestic system integrators and end users and expand its market share, starting with the establishment of this corporation.