Carrier CO2 reefers used as grocery collection units
3rd March 2021
SINGAPORE/ESTONIA: Carrier Transicold’s NaturaLine CO2 container refrigeration systems is being used for a novel robotics-based secure outdoor grocery pickup unit.
The kiosks, made by Estonian robotics innovator Cleveron, provide automated and contactless dispensing of groceries from retailer to consumer.
Cleveron has developed “click and collect” automated solutions for a variety of applications, and the grocery kiosk is among its newest. At a time when consumers’ health and safety is the highest priority, the Cleveron 501 kiosk offers a convenient and touchless 24/7 alternative to in-store shopping or pickup, as well as home delivery.
Typically used on marine shipping containers to protect perishables and frozen food shipped between continents, NaturaLine refrigerated containers have a proven track record.
The 20ft and 40ft long refrigerated shipping containers equipped with NaturaLine units were a natural choice for the Cleveron 501 application, according to Cleveron COO Mihkel Ilp.
“We realised that combining refrigerated shipping containers and our robotics would enable us to create a product that is easy to transport and quick to install, and that also delivers solid cooling and withstands the forces of nature,” Ilp said. “Carrier was selected as our preferred partner because of its long history in the field of refrigeration and shipping containers, and because Carrier offers the NaturaLine system with R744 refrigerant.”
NaturaLine units are recognised for tight temperature control, a factor that is important given the variety of locations where Cleveron 501 kiosks are located. They can be installed in parking lots near grocery/retail operations, near office buildings, in busy city centres and other locations where retail space is scarce or expensive.
The system is easy to use. Customers place orders online and are given a time for pickup. The retailer then picks, bags and places frozen and perishable items in totes that the Cleveron 501 kiosk automatically stores in the appropriate temperature-controlled compartment. When the customer arrives, a code is scanned from their phone, and the kiosk quickly dispenses their order.
To date, Cleveron 501 kiosks using Carrier Transicold’s NaturaLine units have been deployed throughout Europe in grocery/retail environments, sharing a footprint with sustainable in-store R744-based systems by Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Europe. Cleveron 501 systems have also been deployed in the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and the United States.
