AMR sortation uses a fleet of autonomous mobile robots to carry one item at a time from an induction station to a destination chute or bin. Each robot discharges by a powered cross-belt or a tilting tray, and the fleet runs on an open floor grid with no fixed track. HOJ integrates sortation robots on the Tompkins Robotics tSort platform in either configuration.

Key facts

• Each robot carries one item, no fixed track or loop
• Cross-belt top pushes the item sideways; tilt-tray top drops it by gravity
• Both divert types run on the same fleet and the same software
• tSortPost: up to 20 kg per load, 650 mm grid or larger
• t-Sort Mini handles items up to 5 lb; t-Sort Plus up to 66 lb
• Full fleet throughput reaches 40,000 units per hour

How does AMR sortation work?

An operator or conveyor places one item on each robot at induction, where a scanner reads the barcode and the software assigns a destination. The robot takes the shortest open path across the grid to the divert point. A cross-belt robot runs its belt to push the item sideways into the chute. A tilt-tray robot tips its tray and the item slides off by gravity. The robot then returns to induction for the next item. Capacity scales by adding robots and induction stations, not by rebuilding the line.

Cross-belt vs. tilt-tray vs. fixed loop sorter

Where is AMR sortation used?

• E-commerce parcel and small-item sortation
• Polybag and softpack fulfillment
• Apparel, cosmetics, and mixed small goods
• Returns and reverse logistics
• Store replenishment and omnichannel distribution
• Operations sorting to a high number of destinations

When is cross-belt better than tilt-tray?

A cross-belt uses a powered belt to eject the item with controlled placement, which suits small, light, irregular, and bagged items and dense chute layouts. A tilt tray drops the item by gravity, which suits flat, rigid, stackable goods and costs less per robot. Because both run on the same fleet, the divert mechanism follows your item profile instead of being fixed at install, and a mixed fleet can run both.

When is AMR sortation better than a fixed sorter?

A fixed cross-belt or tilt tray sorter moves parcels at very high rates but bolts to the floor, needs permits and sprinkler work, and cannot change after install. AMR sortation starts smaller, adds robots as volume grows, and reconfigures destinations in software. Choose a fixed sorter for very high steady throughput and a wide parcel size range. Choose AMR sortation for small to medium items, seasonal peaks, and buildings you may reconfigure.

Plan an AMR sortation system

HOJ engineers and integrates AMR sortation as an independent integrator. We model your item profile and destination count, specify tSort in cross-belt or tilt-tray configuration, size the fleet and induction stations for your peak, and connect the system to your WMS. Talk to a sortation specialist.