SoftBank Robotics gears up to deploy one of Japan’s largest AutoStore setups at SB Frameworks

SoftBank Robotics is about to flip the switch on a major automation push at the Kawasaki site of SB Frameworks, the logistics arm behind SB C&S. The company is rolling out a full stack of automation tools including one of Japan’s biggest AutoStore high-density warehouse systems. Everything is slated to go live after January 2026 and the goal is straightforward make the logistics center faster, tighter, and far less dependent on manual work.

SoftBank Robotics has been running with a simple idea optimize logistics using the best tech it can source globally. For this project it’s leaning heavily on solutions from AutoStore Holdings, Berkshire Grey, and BALYO technology backed by SoftBank Group investments. The plan is to bring serious automation into the site and raise overall efficiency, safety, and accuracy.

Logistics warehouses are messy by nature and automation helps clean that up. Better precision, fewer errors, fewer accidents, and smoother workflows. SoftBank Robotics will keep supporting the deployment as it goes live bringing in its experience from earlier automation proposals.

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Here’s what’s being rolled out.

AutoStore high-density storage system

AutoStore is already running in about sixty-three countries and across industries. It delivers up to four times the storage density of traditional warehouse setups and can be tailored to fit existing buildings without wasting space. This installation is big 160 robots, 65,000 bins, and 28 workstations. The new FusionPort workstations push productivity even higher. AutoStore’s flexible layout also lets it span fire compartments which is a nice bonus.

Berkshire Grey picking robots

These robots can work with all kinds of products without damaging them. Beyond regular picking they’ll also automate the transfer of incoming goods into AutoStore bins which removes another manual choke point.

BALYO autonomous forklifts

These machines meet ISO3691-4 safety standards and bring both performance and safety up a notch. The plan includes running the LOWY model for high-throughput pallet movement and stacking plus the VEENY three-way high-rise model which can lift up to seventeen meters and squeeze through tight aisles. VEENY’s deployment will be a first in Japan.

SoftBank Robotics’ message here is clear logistics is changing and it wants to be at the center of that shift with real, working automation.