Warehouse Automation and "Dark" Cold Stores
To manage the massive volume of temperature-sensitive goods in 2026, the UK has seen an explosion in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS). These "Dark Warehouses" operate without human presence in deep-freeze environments, which improves energy efficiency (since no lighting or oxygen-rich air is needed) and eliminates the risk of human error in stock rotation.
Robots in these facilities follow FEFO (First-Expiry, First-Out) protocols with 100% accuracy. By minimizing the time warehouse doors are open and utilizing high-speed robotic picking, these facilities use up to 40% less energy than traditional cold stores, aligning with the UK's broader energy security and sustainability goals.
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