R5 (Red Line)
AutoStore · #1 in Warehouse
Bin retrieval and storage on top of AutoStore cube-storage grids, feeding goods-to-person ports for ultra-high-density fulfillment
Skypod is Exotec's robot-based AS/RS: bin-carrying robots that drive on the floor and climb storage racks up to 12 m at 4 m/s, delivering totes to workstations at up to 600 bins per hour each. Built by France's first industrial unicorn, it runs at 200+ customer sites for retailers like Uniqlo, Carrefour, Gap and Decathlon. The Next Generation system, launched February 2025, adds case handling, robot-to-robot picking stations, 50% higher station throughput, and up to 30% denser storage.
- Deployed at 200+ customer sites worldwide including Uniqlo, Carrefour, Gap and Geodis, with annual revenue around EUR 300M [source]
- Marked 10 years and 10,000+ robots deployed in October 2025; Cdiscount was the first Skypod customer [source]
- Decathlon's Skyfleet program (March 2026) standardizes Skypod automation across 7 sites in 5 European countries [source]
Specifications
| Specification | Value | Confidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Robot speed | 4 m/s | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Payload per robot | 30 kg | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Rack height (robots climb full height) | up to 12 m | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Bins cycled per workstation | up to 600 bins/hour | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Order retrieval time | under 2 min | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Next-gen workstation throughput | +50% vs previous generation | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Next-gen storage density | up to +30% vs previous generation | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
| Load types | Eaches and case picking in a single system; ambient and cold environments | verified | exotec.com (2026-09-01) |
Every spec is cited to its source with a retrieval date. verified = manufacturer-published · reported = reputable press/analyst. Verify with the manufacturer before purchase decisions.
Change timeline
- deployment Decathlon Skyfleet multi-site program announced: seven sites across five European countries [source]
- milestone Exotec marks 10 years and 10,000+ warehouse robots deployed worldwide [source]
- launch Next Generation Skypod system launched as an all-in-one robot-based AS/RS [source]
- funding Exotec raises $335M Series D at a $2B valuation, becoming France's first industrial unicorn [source]
Our take
Skypod's edge over grid-based rivals like AutoStore is flexibility: the same robot does floor travel and rack climbing, so systems scale by adding robots rather than rebuilding infrastructure, and next-gen case handling makes it credible for full-warehouse automation, not just each picking. Exotec's ~EUR 300M revenue and multi-site programs (Decathlon's seven-site Skyfleet) derisk the vendor. It is a capital project with project-based pricing — best for retailers and 3PLs planning multi-year, high-throughput operations rather than quick brownfield fixes.
Best suited for
- Goods-to-person each picking for e-commerce and omnichannel retail
- Combined eaches plus case picking in one AS/RS (next generation)
- Multi-site standardized automation programs across regional DC networks
Compare
- autostore r5 vs exotec skypod
- exotec skypod vs locus robotics origin
- Compare Skypod against any robot →
Skypod: common questions
How much does an Exotec Skypod system cost?
Exotec does not publish pricing; Skypod is quoted per project based on robot count, storage locations, and workstations, as with other AS/RS installations.
How fast are Skypod robots?
Skypod robots travel at up to 4 m/s and climb racks up to 12 m high, retrieving any order in under 2 minutes and cycling up to 600 bins per hour at each workstation.
What changed in the Next Generation Skypod (2025)?
Launched February 2025, it added a more compact robot, robot-to-robot picking workstations, a high-throughput Exchanger, case handling alongside eaches, 50% higher throughput per workstation, and up to 30% denser storage.
Who uses Exotec Skypod?
More than 200 customer sites worldwide, including Uniqlo, Carrefour, Gap, Geodis, Oxford Industries, and Decathlon, which is rolling Skypod out across seven European sites under its Skyfleet program.
Exotec Skypod vs AutoStore?
Both are high-density goods-to-person systems. AutoStore stores bins in a sealed grid with robots on top; Skypod robots climb open racks and also travel on the floor, which Exotec argues gives faster single-order retrieval and easier incremental scaling. AutoStore has the larger installed base.
Sources
- Exotec — exotec.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
- Exotec — exotec.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
- Exotec — exotec.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
- PR Newswire (Exotec) — prnewswire.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
- PR Newswire (Exotec) — prnewswire.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
- TNW — thenextweb.com, retrieved 2026-09-01
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