Sustainable Logistics and MobilityResearch team visits warehouse with AutoStore system

2 February 2026

Photo: Tchanana Wibhati

The teams of Prof. Dr. Simone Neumann, Prof. Dr. Malte Fliedner and their cooperation partners from HSU in the automated warehouse of Freudenberg Sealing Technologies.

As part of a research project on compact store systems, a team from the Institute of Sustainable Logistics and Mobility visited an AutoStore system in Hamburg.

The team from the Institute of Sustainable Logistics and Mobility at the University of Hamburg Business School recently visited @Freudenberg Sealing Technologies in Hamburg to explore their newly implemented AutoStore system. An AutoStore system is a high-density, robotic automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) designed for small parts, using autonomous robots to move containers (bins) stacked in a compact, aluminium grid. It increases storage density by up to 400%, allowing for 75% less footprint than conventional shelving.

Prof. Simone Neumann, Prof. Malte Fliedner and their teams are cooperating with colleagues from the Institute of Management Science and Operations Research at the Helmut Schmidt University and are funded by dtec.bw (Digitalization and Technology Research Center of the Bundeswehr). “Our research aims to optimize the storage and retrieval processes in such compact storage systems with respect to both time and the energy required.” says Prof. Neumann. One particularly fascinating insight: ten robots operating in the AutoStore system at Freudenberg Sealing Technologies consume only about as much energy as a single vacuum cleaner.

Thank you to the Freudenberg Sealing Technologies team for the inspiring tour and valuable exchange!