Network Automation Project
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The Network Automation project looks at how we can use engineering to innovate equipment, processes, tools and techniques to push Royal Mail to the cutting edge of Postal and Parcel technology.
Our vision is to construct an environment where our people are unconstrained to create, facilitate and maintain the most efficient letter and parcel collection and delivery process and facilities.
We're setting up our own manufacturing to cut costs, reduce equipment lead time and protect our IP to deliver, uncompromised, 100% of our strategic requirements.
What have we done so far?
- We have standardised our York sleeves, 540K manufactured in-house, optimised for our automation
- We are pioneering autounloading trailers (ATU)
- We have progressed our AGV development to prototype
- We have developed & refined design of the Large Parcel Conveyors
What is currently in progress?
- We have developed our design to include SD (green) sleeves, 5K ready ahead of peak
- First ATU with the customer (THG), successfully unloading in under 6 minutes
- Manufacturing facility in Gloucester will be operational for production start in Nov 24
- We have achieved a capital cost saving of 50% and been able to supply an additional system within budget
What's next?
- We are currently developing the containers for the future
- We’re designing the first auto-load trailer, completing the automation cycle
- We are delivering AGVs into the super hubs, and soon MCs, whilst developing concepts for outdoor with the postie
- We are developing small parcel sortation and singulation, to drive our efficiency