Chinese robotics company Geek+ has launched a pallet-to-person system to automate warehouse operations across frozen and chilled zones, setting a benchmark for temperature-controlled logistics.

Now live at a 2700m² flagship facility operated by cold-chain logistics provider JJCL (Jinjiang Cold Logistics), the system enables seamless pallet movement between environments ranging from -18 to +5˚C. This is said to be the first production-grade deployment of fully automated multi-temperature pallet handling.

While automation has transformed much of logistics, cold storage facilities have lagged behind due to extreme conditions and technical barriers. Geek+’s SkyCube system changes that with frost-resistant engineering and a coordinated fleet of high-density pallet storage robots operating at -18˚C, P800 robots in chilled zones (0 to +5˚C), high-speed lifts, and a unified software platform built for continuous operation in sub-zero environments.

“Cold-chain logistics is no longer the exception to automation, it’s the next frontier,” said Liu Kai, head of systems at Geek+. “Our systems are built to perform where other systems fail. With our multi-temp-compatible robotics, we’re redefining how food, pharma and grocery warehouses scale reliably and efficiently.”

JJCL, with seven subsidiary branches and 11 cold storage facilities totalling over 560,000m³, partnered with Geek+ to modernise operations and meet growing demand. Since deployment, the system has increased storage capacity by 70 per cent, improved picking efficiency by 90 per cent, and achieved 99.99 per cent accuracy. It has also enhanced safety by reducing human exposure to extreme sub-zero temperatures through full automation of cold zone handling.

“As global demand for cold chain services accelerates, the launch provides a scalable blueprint for 3PLs, food distributors and pharma companies navigating compliance, labour challenges and operational risk,” Liu added. “This isn’t just an upgrade, it’s a category shift.”

Geek+ (www.geekplus.com) specialises in autonomous mobile robotics (AMRs), powering warehouse automation for more than 770 customers across 40 countries. It serves retail, logistics, food and healthcare operations worldwide.