Hai Robotics and Maersk have created a high-density robotics fulfilment centre for fashion goods in Singapore.

Opened earlier this year, the centre uses high-density robotics to power the movement of tens of thousands of SKUs, supporting retail distribution and ecommerce orders within a single, tightly integrated operation.

Singapore is fast becoming a testbed for logistics technology, and the latest deployment by Hai Robotics and Maersk signals a clear shift in how fashion supply chains are being rebuilt.

At a time when fashion brands are under pressure to deliver more variety, faster turnaround and seamless omnichannel fulfilment, this project moves beyond traditional automation trade-offs.

“Most operations still compromise between storage density and throughput,” said Nathan Zeng, president of Hai Robotics (www.hairobotics.com). “What we’re seeing here is the ability to achieve both at scale.”

Inside the facility, a coordinated fleet of robots handles storage and movement as separate but synchronised functions. High-density storage robots operate across racks reaching over ten metres, while autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) maintain fast, continuous flow between storage and workstations. The system is designed to move more than 1000 totes per hour without the congestion that often limits high-density environments.

But the bigger shift is operational, not just technological. Workstations are no longer fixed to a single fulfilment model. They can be reconfigured dynamically to handle bulk retail shipments one moment and individual ecommerce orders the next. As demand shifts, so does the operation, without requiring physical reconfiguration.

Behind it all is a data-driven approach. From early-stage simulation to live operations, data have shaped how the system is designed, deployed and continuously optimised. Inventory placement, order sequencing and even maintenance cycles are informed by real-time system insights.

Engineering this level of density at height also brings new challenges. Rack design, floor precision and safety compliance all become critical factors when operating at over ten metres. The system is built to meet these demands, including automated responses that align with fire safety and evacuation requirements.

Seamless integration with Maersk’s warehouse systems ensures real-time coordination across the operation. Notably, much of this integration was validated in a virtual environment before deployment, accelerating implementation and reducing on-site risk.

For Maersk (www.maersk.com) and its fashion partner, the facility represents more than a technology upgrade; it’s a new operating model for handling complexity at scale. And for the broader Apac market, it could signal where fulfilment is heading next: denser, faster and built to adapt.