Goods-to-Person - Items Come to the Picker

The NEO picking station (goods-to-person workstation) reverses the traditional picking principle: instead of workers walking to shelves, NEO:runner robots bring bins directly to an ergonomic workstation. A robotic arm presents the bin, the picker removes the item, and the robot returns the bin to storage – all controlled by NEO:os. No walking, no searching, no bending. Integrated into existing shelf warehouses with no construction required.

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The NEO picking station (goods-to-person workstation) reverses the traditional picking principle: instead of workers walking to shelves, NEO:runner robots bring bins directly to an ergonomic workstation. A robotic arm presents the bin, the picker removes the item, and the robot returns the bin to storage - all controlled by NEO:os. No walking, no searching, no bending. Integrated into existing shelf warehouses with no construction required.

NEO picking station - goods-to-person overhead view

What Is Goods-to-Person (G2P)?

In traditional warehouse picking - the person-to-goods model - workers walk to shelves to retrieve items. In a typical shelf warehouse, that means 10 to 15 kilometers of walking per shift. The majority of working time is spent not on actual picking, but on walking, searching, and navigating.

Goods-to-person (G2P) reverses this principle: items come to the picker, not the other way around. An automated system - consisting of transport robots, a presentation station, and orchestration software - delivers the right bin to the right workstation at the right time.

The result: walking is eliminated entirely. The picker focuses exclusively on the value-adding task - removing and allocating items.

NEO brings this principle into existing shelf warehouses. While conventional goods-to-person systems require new construction or specialized racking (AS/RS, shuttle systems), the NEO picking station works with your existing shelves. More on retrofit integration

How the NEO:pickstation Works

System architecture: NEO:os (orchestration software) coordinates a fleet of NEO:runner robots that retrieve bins from existing shelf racking and transport them to the picking station. There, a robotic arm presents the bin ergonomically. After the picker removes the item, the robot returns the bin to its shelf location. All coordination runs through NEO:os, connected to your WMS via REST API.

Order planning

NEO:os receives pick orders from your WMS and plans the optimal sequence. Orders are grouped to minimize robot travel paths and maximize station utilization.

Bin transport

A NEO:runner drives autonomously to the shelf location, identifies the target bin using 3D cameras, and retrieves it. The robot transports the bin to the picking station.

Present and pick

At the picking station, the robotic arm presents the bin at an ergonomic height. Pick-by-light or pick-by-display shows the picker the item, quantity, and target container. The picker removes the item and confirms the pick.

Return and confirmation

The NEO:runner transports the bin back to its shelf location. NEO:os reports the completed pick to your WMS. Inventory data, order status, and performance metrics are visible in real time.

Advantages Over Person-to-Goods

Switching from person-to-goods to goods-to-person fundamentally changes picking operations. The following advantages apply specifically to the NEO picking station compared to manual picking in shelf warehouses.

No More Walking

In a manual shelf warehouse, pickers cover 10 to 15 kilometers per shift. With the NEO picking station, walking is eliminated entirely. The picker stays at the workstation – bins come to them.

Higher Picks per Hour

When walking, searching, and navigating are removed, more time is available for actual picking. Station utilization is predictable and consistent, regardless of warehouse size. In a large shelf warehouse, the advantage grows: while walking distances in manual picking increase with floor space, the pick rate at the picking station remains constant.

Ergonomic Workstation

The picking station is designed as a standing workstation. Bins are presented at an ergonomic height – no bending, no reaching, no heavy lifting. This reduces physical strain and lowers absence rates due to injury.

Consistent Throughput

Manual picking fluctuates: with the worker's condition, experience level, and the warehouse area that needs to be covered. The picking station delivers consistent, predictable throughput – regardless of warehouse size or shift staffing.

Fewer Picking Errors

Every pick at the station is controlled by NEO:os and visually guided via pick-by-light or pick-by-display. The correct bin is presented at the correct time. Mix-ups from wrong shelves, wrong bays, or wrong items are eliminated by the system.

70% Less Picking Labor

The combination of automated transport and station-based picking reduces picking headcount by 70%. Remaining staff work at the station - more productively, more ergonomically, and with predictable shifts.

NEO:pickstation Technical Specifications

Handling robotics	Robot arm
Bin presentation	Automatic, ergonomic height
Workstation type	Standing workstation
Pick guidance	Pick-by-light / pick-by-display	via NEO:os
Control software	NEO:os	Order management, fleet coordination, WMS integration
Transport robots	NEO:runner
WMS integration	REST API	Your WMS remains the leading system
Bin dimensions	Max. 380 x 270 x 140 mm
Item weight	Max. 5 kg

Proven Results

70%

less picking labor

2-3×

higher storage capacity

6-8weeks

to go-live

0EUR

upfront investment (pay-per-pick)

Currently, there is no other provider besides NEO that offers goods-to-person automation specifically for shelf-racking environments.

Ralf Bühler

CEO, Conrad Electronic SE

Robotic arm with NEO branding - close-up at picking station

Integration Into Existing Shelf Warehouses

The NEO picking station does not require new construction or specialized racking. It works with your existing shelf warehouses - a fundamental difference from conventional goods-to-person systems such as AS/RS or shuttle installations.

What stays:

Your shelving remains in place. No racking changes, no construction, no modifications.
Your WMS remains the leading system. NEO:os integrates as a downstream layer via REST API.
Your warehouse layout remains unchanged. NEO:runner robots navigate in your existing aisles (minimum width: 85 cm).
Your ongoing operations are not disrupted. Installation and integration happen during live operations.

What is added:

NEO:pickstation: A compact, ergonomic workstation with robotic arm and pick display. Footprint: a few square meters in the warehouse area.
NEO:runner fleet: NEO:runner robots that autonomously transport bins between shelves and the station.
NEO:os: The orchestration software that coordinates orders, robots, and the station.

From decision to first automated pick: 6-8 weeks. Most customers start with a pilot - one station and a compact robot fleet - and scale after validated operation.

Details on the retrofit process

FAQ

What is the difference between goods-to-person and person-to-goods?

In person-to-goods, the picker walks to the shelf, searches for the item, and retrieves it. In goods-to-person, an automated system brings the bin with the item directly to the picker's workstation. The worker stays at the station - walking is eliminated entirely. In a typical shelf warehouse, this saves 10 to 15 kilometers of walking per shift.

How many picks per hour does the NEO:pickstation handle?

The pick rate depends on item range and order structure. The key difference from manual picking: the rate remains consistent and predictable, regardless of warehouse size. In a large shelf warehouse, where manual pickers cover long distances, the productivity gain is greatest. We determine specific numbers for your setup in a Fit-Check.

Do I need specially trained staff for the station?

No. The picking station is designed for simple operation. Pick-by-light or pick-by-display shows the item, quantity, and target container - the picker follows the on-screen instructions. Training typically takes a few hours, not days. This makes the station suitable for temporary and seasonal workers as well.

Can the NEO:pickstation be integrated into any shelf warehouse?

The picking station is compatible with standard shelf racking from any manufacturer. Requirements: aisle width of at least 85 cm, usable shelf height up to 250 cm, level warehouse floor. Items must be within 380 x 270 x 140 mm dimensions and max. 5 kg. Whether your site qualifies, we determine in a free Fit-Check.

Request a Fit-Check

See the NEO:pickstation in action – with your item data, your warehouse layout, and your volumes. We’ll show how bins are automatically transported and presented at the station, how pick-by-light and pick-by-display guide the picker, what pick rates are realistic for your item range, and how the pilot launch works within 6-8 weeks. Free. No obligation. Results within days.

Request a Fit-Check

+49 211 936 724 23 sales@neointralogistics.com