Frequently Asked Questions About the MDS ASRS
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on the MDS ASRS. This page provides direct insights into the MDS ASRS, covering its core functionality, key features, and operational benefits. This resource is designed to help Australian organisations understand the system’s versatility, security compliance, and role in driving sustainable warehouse automation.
Whether you are evaluating integration requirements or seeking technical specifications, the following sections offer the essential information needed to support your decision-making process.
1. What Is the MDS ASRS?
The MDS ASRS is an autonomous Multi-Directional Shuttle ASRS system engineered to effortlessly transport pallets within a condensed racking framework, delivering high-density storage. The system also utilises Artificial Intelligence and sensors to enhance overall warehouse performance.
2. Is the MDS ASRS Four-Way Shuttle Only Suitable for Greenfield Warehouses?
Not necessarily. The MDS ASRS is designed for both greenfield projects and the retrofitting of existing “brownfield” facilities. Its modular architecture allows for seamless integration into older warehouses, enabling companies to upgrade to high-density automation without requiring a purpose-built structure. Whether upgrading a legacy site or developing a new facility, the system’s flexible racking and shuttle paths can be configured to suit various building footprints and ceiling heights.
3. What Are Some Applications of the MDS ASRS?
The MDS ASRS enables high-density storage, allowing facilities to store various SKUs in a compact space. As a highly flexible system, its racking designs can be adapted to low or high-bay warehouses of any shape and size. It can also be utilised in facilities managing a wide variety of products. It supports stock buffering and sorting and works best in facilities handling from 1,000 pallets and beyond.
4. What Industries Can Benefit From Using the MDS ASRS?
The MDS ASRS is a versatile solution engineered to meet the rigorous storage and handling requirements of sectors including pharmaceuticals, food and beverage, manufacturing, retail, and third-party logistics (3PL). Its ability to maintain high throughput while ensuring precision and safety makes it particularly effective for Australian industries facing high labour costs or strict compliance and high-volume distribution demands.
5. Can the MDS ASRS Operate in Cold Rooms?
Yes. The MDS ASRS is engineered for thermal versatility, operating reliably in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 50°C. This makes it an ideal solution for Australian cold storage warehouses, providing seamless automation for facilities responsible for storing temperature-sensitive inventory such as fresh produce, beverages, dairy, and frozen foods.
6. What Are Some Key Features of the MDS ASRS That Can Benefit Warehouses?
The MDS ASRS incorporates zero-code shuttling, which enables it to integrate new shuttles within mere seconds to boost productivity during peak seasons before scaling down once requirements normalise. The mass shuttle swarming feature optimises routing to prevent traffic congestion. Furthermore, the MDS shuttles are equipped with intelligent sensors specifically designed for high-precision collision avoidance, ensuring a safe and reliable automated environment.
7. How Does the MDS ASRS Demonstrate High Performance and Reliability?
The MDS ASRS demonstrates high performance by tripling storage capacity compared to traditional racking systems. It also functions on opportunistic charging through its rack in-built battery chargers, which boost overall productivity and reduce downtime. The MDS ASRS is engineered for long-term durability. It features a structural build and data-driven predictive maintenance to ensure continuous operation and maximised throughputs.
8. How Does the MDS ASRS Four-Way Shuttle Contribute to Warehouse Automation?
The MDS ASRS supports high-density automation by replacing manual handling with a fully autonomous shuttle fleet. By employing swarm intelligence, multiple units communicate via real-time data exchange to coordinate movements, eliminate bottlenecks, and dynamically reallocate tasks based on live demand. This decentralised control allows for 24/7 “lights-out” operation, where the system maintains peak throughput in unmanned environments without the need for constant human intervention.
9. How Does the MDS ASRS Demonstrate AI in Its Design and Build?
The MDS ASRS incorporates AI through a decentralised “swarm intelligence” architecture. Rather than using fixed commands, a core AI engine coordinates fleets of autonomous shuttles to work as a collective. By processing real-time data through machine learning decision logic, the system dynamically optimises routing and predicts congestion. This allows the hardware to adapt to fluctuating warehouse demands instantly, ensuring maximum throughput without manual reconfiguration.
10. Is the MDS ASRS Energy Efficient and Sustainable?
The MDS ASRS is engineered for sustainability through high-efficiency lithium battery systems and intelligent power management. By utilising predictive analytics, the system implements opportunistic charging to balance energy consumption with real-time operational demand. This data-driven approach minimises idle energy waste and ensures that warehouse automation remains both high-performing and environmentally responsible.
11. What Are the System Components of the MDS ASRS?
The MDS ASRS consists of the multi-directional shuttle, a racking system, an industrial PC for centralised control, a smart lifter, and an inbound induction and profile checker.
12. What Is the Load Capacity of the MDS ASRS?
Dexion’s MDS ASRS has a load capacity of up to 1,500 kilograms.
13. How High Is the Investment for the Initial Setup of the MDS ASRS?
Compared to conventional ASRS setups, which often require high upfront costs, the MDS ASRS involves a more moderate initial investment.
14. Can the MDS ASRS Be Integrated with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS)?
The MDS ASRS supports full integration with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and ERP platforms. Through standardised interfaces, the system enables bidirectional data exchange to synchronise inventory levels and operational tasks in real time. This connectivity allows the autonomous shuttle fleet to act as a direct extension of your supply chain software, ensuring precise tracking and automated task allocation across the facility.
15. Is the MDS ASRS Scalable?
The MDS ASRS is a fully modular system that is designed for expansion and growth. It enables businesses to begin with a smaller system and expand seamlessly as demands of the operation increase.
16. Is the MDS ASRS Safe and Secure?
Dexion’s MDS ASRS demonstrates compliance with IT security requirements through encrypted communication protocols to access the Application Programming Interface (API), protecting their system from unauthorised access and malicious cyber activities. The system is also hosted locally behind IT security systems, which ensures that warehouse data remains within the facility’s closed network.
17. I’m Interested in the MDS ASRS. Where Do I Go From Here?
Contact Dexion to get an in-depth consultation. We’ll carry out site visits to understand your goals, processes, and storage challenges, then collaborate with you to create a tailored solution that integrates the MDS ASRS and takes your facility to the next level.
