A fire broke out in a UK distribution centre of online supermarket chain Ocado on Friday after three robots collided.
Ocado operates a self-developed bin system in its fulfilment centres. The system consists of robots driving over a framework, grabbing products from bins and redistributing them. The totes then go to the packing station. At its fulfilment centre in Erith, south-east of London, Ocado uses this to process 150,000 orders a week.
On Friday, the robots collided with each other, after which fire broke out and 800 employees had to leave the premises as quickly as possible. Firefighters were working late into the night to put out the fire. According to Ocado, only 1 per cent of the system was damaged by the fire. No one was injured.
The web supermarket expects delays in daily operations, with thousands of orders already cancelled. The supermarket chain hopes to resume operations at the site next week.
Not the first fire at Ocado DC
The incident follows two years after an Ocado DC in Andover burnt out completely. This fire was caused by an electrical failure at the robot loading system. Employees turned off the sprinkler system, after which the fire spread through the building at lightning speed.
Video: Ocado gives insight into warehouse robotisation. The video was shot at the DC in early July.
Image: Willy Barton / Shutterstock.com
