JD.com - Flexible Case Picking Automation with ForwardX Robotics AMRs

Project Overview

JD.com, a global leader in e-commerce, operates a vast network of over 1,600 warehouses across China, offering a diverse range of products to customers nationwide. As the company scaled its operations, it faced significant operational challenges in maintaining efficient picking processes while reducing the physical burden on workers. The need for a flexible, scalable solution that could adapt to different product types and warehouse layouts became critical to sustaining growth.

To address these challenges, JD.com partnered with ForwardX Robotics to deploy a flexible case picking solution centered on ForwardX’s Max Series Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). The primary goals of the project were to optimize picking efficiency, reduce worker physical exertion, enhance picking accuracy, and establish a standardized process across the extensive warehouse network. By automating the transport component of the picking workflow, JD.com aimed to allow workers to focus on less physically demanding, value-added tasks.

The solution was designed to integrate seamlessly with JD.com’s existing warehouse operations, eliminating the need for major infrastructure overhauls while delivering immediate operational improvements. Its versatility was a key requirement, as it needed to handle the diverse product portfolio offered by the e-commerce giant.

Technical Solution

ForwardX Max Series AMR Fleet

The core of the solution is ForwardX’s Max Series AMRs, which serve as mobile transport units for picked cases. These autonomous robots navigate warehouse aisles independently, guided by warehouse mapping and real-time positioning technology. The AMRs are designed to operate safely alongside human workers, adapting to dynamic warehouse environments and avoiding obstacles. Their payload capacity and maneuverability make them suitable for transporting cases of various sizes and weights, aligning with JD.com’s diverse product range.

Key Features

The deployment of ForwardX’s Max Series AMRs across 1,600+ warehouses creates a standardized, scalable case picking solution that adapts to JD.com’s diverse product portfolio and varying warehouse layouts. This scalability ensures consistent performance and efficiency across the entire network.

Dual barcode verification (AMR task retrieval + item scanning) provides robust accuracy control, virtually eliminating picking errors while maintaining workflow efficiency. This feature is critical for JD.com’s commitment to customer satisfaction.

The PDA-guided workflow streamlines communication between workers and the automation system, reducing training time and ensuring intuitive operation. Workers receive clear, step-by-step instructions, minimizing decision fatigue and process variability.

On-demand delivery receipt printing via handheld Bluetooth printers eliminates the need for dedicated packing stations, simplifying the fulfillment process and reducing warehouse space requirements. Products are shipped in their original packaging, further optimizing efficiency.

Zone-based picking significantly reduces worker walking distance and physical exertion, allowing employees to focus on higher-value picking tasks rather than repetitive movement. This improves both productivity and worker well-being.

The solution’s versatility enables it to handle a wide range of product types, from small items to larger cases, making it suitable for JD.com’s diverse e-commerce offerings without requiring specialized configurations.

Results & Benefits

The implementation of ForwardX’s AMR solution has optimized picking process efficiency across JD.com’s extensive warehouse network, reducing cycle times and increasing throughput. The standardized workflow ensures consistent performance regardless of warehouse location or product type.

Workers have experienced a significant reduction in physical exertion due to zone-based picking and minimized walking. By focusing on core picking tasks rather than transport, employees can work more comfortably and sustainably, reducing fatigue and improving job satisfaction.

Picking accuracy has been enhanced through the dual barcode verification system, reducing errors and associated costs such as returns, rework, and customer dissatisfaction. This accuracy improvement directly contributes to JD.com’s reputation for reliable fulfillment.

The elimination of dedicated packing stations has simplified the fulfillment process, reducing warehouse space requirements and streamlining material flow. Products move directly from picking to conveyor transport, shortening the overall fulfillment cycle.

The solution has become a standard across JD.com’s warehouse operations, creating consistency in processes, training, and performance metrics. This standardization simplifies network management and enables easier scaling of operations.

By redirecting workers from transport tasks to value-added picking and verification activities, JD.com has improved overall operational productivity. Workers can complete more tasks in less time while maintaining high accuracy, driving greater throughput per employee.

Challenges & Solutions

JD.com’s primary challenge was managing consistent efficiency across its network of 1,600+ warehouses, each handling diverse product types and operating with varying layouts. The solution was ForwardX’s versatile Max Series AMR system, which adapts to different product sizes and warehouse configurations, ensuring standardized performance and efficiency across the entire network.

A second major challenge was reducing the physical burden on workers, who faced repetitive walking and manual transport tasks. The zone-based picking design and AMR transport functionality addressed this by minimizing unnecessary movement, allowing workers to focus on less physically demanding picking tasks. This not only improved productivity but also enhanced worker well-being.

Maintaining high picking accuracy while streamlining workflows was another critical challenge. The solution incorporated dual barcode verification (AMR task scan + item scan) and PDA-guided instructions to eliminate errors without adding process complexity. This robust verification process ensures accuracy while keeping the workflow efficient and intuitive for workers.

System Integrator

ForwardX Robotics served as the technology provider and solution integrator for the project, delivering its Max Series AMRs and配套 software ecosystem. The company collaborated closely with JD.com to design a solution tailored to the e-commerce giant’s specific operational needs, including integration with existing WMS, PDA systems, and conveyor lines.

ForwardX’s expertise in autonomous mobile robotics and warehouse automation was critical to developing a solution that balances flexibility, scalability, and ease of use. The company’s multi-robot orchestration software enables efficient coordination of AMR fleets, ensuring optimal robot utilization and task assignment across large warehouse facilities.

The successful deployment across 1,600+ warehouses reflects ForwardX’s ability to deliver standardized, high-quality automation solutions at scale. The partnership with JD.com demonstrates ForwardX’s commitment to empowering the logistics industry through intelligent technology, enhancing user experiences with superior efficiency and adaptability. As a result of the project’s success, the solution has become a standard for JD.com’s case picking operations, solidifying ForwardX’s position as a trusted automation partner for global e-commerce leaders.