Symbotic acquires cellumation to add omnidirectional warehouse sortation
The Bremen company brings modular software-controlled conveying cells to Symbotic's warehouse robotics portfolio while continuing as a standalone supplier.
US warehouse automation company Symbotic has acquired Bremen-based cellumation, bringing the German developer's celluveyor omnidirectional sortation system into its robotics portfolio. Announced on 13 October, the completed acquisition adds a modular conveying platform made from independently controlled hexagonal cells that direct packages in multiple directions without traditional conveyor routing. The purchase price was not disclosed, and cellumation will continue operating under its own brand and management from Bremen, selling to outside customers and integrators as well as Symbotic.
The celluveyor can direct, orient and merge items over a programmable surface, supporting more compact layouts for parcel and warehouse handling. Symbotic intends to integrate the technology into inbound and outbound robotic cells to increase usable storage space and simplify sortation equipment; throughput and cost improvements remain forward-looking expectations. cellumation's earlier deployments and development relationships include Daifuku's 2025 depalletisation demonstration and a DHL Asia-Pacific innovation-centre induction system that combines a cobot, machine vision and celluveyor handling.
The transaction follows Symbotic's acquisitions of Fox Robotics and ARMS Innovations, expanding its automation range beyond its core high-density warehouse storage systems. cellumation's founders Hendrik Thamer and Claudio Uriarte will remain in charge, with the acquisition also adding an operating base and existing European customer relationships for Symbotic.