Comau automates picking, handling, and palletizing for Decathlon

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Comau designed its MyCo family of cobots for quick installation, easy programming, and rapid redeployment. | Source: Comau

Comau SpA yesterday said it has designed and validated an order-preparation system tested in Decathlon’s e-commerce fulfillment operations. The system is part of MASTERLY, a European initiative designed to accelerate the transition from traditional mass production to highly flexible, customized manufacturing systems.

The system uses the Turin, Italy-based company‘s MyCo collaborative robot with a ROS 2-based software architecture. It integrates an advanced modular gripper to autonomously manage picking, handling, and palletizing tasks across variable product flows.

“Comau’s role in the MASTERLY project is fully aligned with our commitment to advancing next-generation manufacturing by promoting reconfigurability, efficiency, and human-centric automation,” said Alessandro Piscioneri, the head of product and solution management of advanced automation solutions at Comau.

“The project also highlights the strategic value of combining intelligent robotics, digital technologies and systems integration to create highly flexible logistics and fulfillment operations capable of adapting to rapidly changing production and market demands while maintaining operational continuity, scalability and ease of use,” he stated. “Comau’s growing strategic focus on intralogistics includes strengthening our capabilities through acquisitions, including Automha and Invent, which enable us to deliver increasingly integrated and intelligent solutions across the entire warehouse and production value chain.”

Comau designs system for complex fulfillment

Comau said it engineered MyCo to manipulate objects varying in shape, weight, and material. In addition to MyCo, the solution also incorporates advanced sensors, vision-based object recognition, digital twin capabilities, and workflow orchestration tools.

The company said the system can manage the rigid, soft, and porous materials commonly found in e-commerce fulfillment environments. Comau also claimed that its system enables real-time optimization and smooth interaction between operators and the automated processes. This helps it ensure high flexibility while maintaining consistent throughput and operational reliability, it said.

Comau said the knowledge gained and functionalities validated during the project will contribute to the continued evolution of its MyCo platform. The company said it expects these improvements to become part of its broader portfolio of advanced intralogistics capabilities.

MASTERLY uses AI, automation for supply chain resilience

Comau noted that its role within the MASTERLY project reflects its use of advanced AI-backed automation to address evolving production challenges. This includes increasing variability, supply chain disruptions, and the need for rapid reconfiguration.

The company acknowledged that it developed the intelligent warehousing and logistics system with the project’s ecosystem of technology partners. Comau said its scalable and versatile automation is designed to improve workplace ergonomics, reduce physical strain, and enhance operational flexibility within human-centric production environments.

The project parameters were driven by Decathlon’s operational requirements within the targeted fulfillment process, which has provided the foundation for implementing and validating several advanced functionalities. Key partners included Decathlon itself and STAM, a Genoa-based systems integrator, alongside the broader MASTERLY consortium.

Decathlon has worked with other robotics companies, including Exotec, Geek+, PAL Robotics, and Simbe Robotics.