Wireless breakthrough for the Ocado Smart Platform

The Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) is Ocado Group’s world-leading suite of solutions that has been built to transform online grocery across the world. As a strategic OSP technology partner, we worked alongside Ocado Technology to develop the unique communication system that sits within the OSP, orchestrating swarms of Ocado robots across highly automated warehouses.

Ocado delivery van

World-first communications for automated warehouses

The Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) combines Ocado Group’s proprietary end-to-end software systems with their physical fulfilment assets to deliver superior economics for grocery retailers and unmatched experiences for consumers. In close collaboration with Ocado Technology’s engineering teams, we developed a communication system for the OSP unlike anything else available.

It uses unlicensed spectrum to provide simultaneous and robust communication between thousands of bots and the control system, allowing each to talk to the communication system ten times a second, collectively carrying four terabytes of data a day. The result sets Ocado Group apart in the industry through a breakthrough in radio design and the most densely packed cellular network in the world.

“OSP allowed us to leapfrog our own industry leading platform and take online retail into the future. This required the development of a novel and highly robust communication solution. The radio system that Cambridge Consultants has developed for us allows the seamless orchestration of thousands of bots.”

James Matthews, Chief Executive Officer

Ocado Technology

Transforming economics & efficiency

The OSP communication system orchestrates swarms of bots in Ocado Group’s highly automated warehouses. These bots move across giant storage grids at speeds of up to four meters per second, with a clearance of just five millimetres between them.

The bots pick an average 50-item order within five minutes, which is 18 times faster, more reliable and more economic than traditional warehouses that operate extensive conveyor belt systems.

Ocado robots in automated warehouse

Scaling for global growth

Through machine learning, robotics and data science, Ocado Group continues to lead the transformation of online grocery. We are now collaborating with Ocado Technology to evolve the next generation of the OSP’s highly flexible communications system for use by their partners around the world.

Uptake of OSP licenses has been fast. Ocado Group has already established agreements with leading grocery retailers across North America, Europe, Asia and Australasia, to scale those retailers’ online operations sustainably and profitably.

Our involvement

How Cambridge Consultants works with clients on project realisation

We worked as an extension of Ocado Technology’s design team during development of the wireless communication system, collaborating to overcome each fresh challenge and carrying out fast regulatory, feasibility and de-risking processes.

Throughout delivery we led the design verification work – guiding manufacturing partner selection, building a robust transfer-to-production ecosystem and providing 24/7 support during the transition. We also led technical seminars, training and knowledge transfer sessions.

“Cambridge Consultants’ world-class technical expertise has been key to developing the communication system that orchestrates our fleets of bots. We found the engineering teams to be responsive, dependable and highly professional throughout our collaboration.”

James Matthews, Chief Executive Officer

Ocado Technology

The challenge

Ocado technology robot in ocado warehouse

Optimising investment & delivery

Our proven systems engineering processes and wealth of complex project experience enabled us to overcome some of the largest challenges very early in the development, enabling us to reach the world-first performance required and optimising investment.

Cambridge Consultants technology development for Ocado

Demanding timescales

Ambitious timescales meant the design simply had to be right first time. The custom radio boards, fabricated in our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, did indeed work first time – a remarkable achievement given their complexity – enabling software integration and key functionality demonstrations at very early stages. A minimum viable product was reached in under a year, with the hardened system ready for operational deployment in the following months.

Ocado bot in automated warehouse

Coordinated communication in a noisy radio environment

A challenging indoor radio environment added a further layer of complexity to achieving robust, high-speed communication with a high density of end points. To address this, we customised the best standards-based technology to achieve new levels of performance and resilience, developed a powerful user interface and built warehouse test facilities to run and test many robots, base stations and radios in a realistic setting.

Cambridge Consultants staff working in lab for Ocado Technologies

Unprecedented regulatory hurdles

As there was no precedent for using unlicensed spectrum in this way, securing regulatory approval was essential. We worked closely with Ofcom in the UK and FCC in the US to create new test protocols, demonstrating that the system followed the spirit, as well as the letter of the law.

Ultimately, we were complemented by the regulators on our approach, which has led to approvals in further regions across the globe.

The team

We’re delivering digital breakthroughs that transform markets

Deep tech

Are you curious about new technologies, and how they can lead to long-term sustainable value?

We think creatively at the intersection of business and technology, inventing solutions to redefine what you do.

Industries

You need a partner with intimate knowledge of your industry and proven experience of delivering value from deep tech breakthroughs.

Discover more about the work we do in your sector and how we can create real commercial advantage for you.

Insights

Take a look at the latest insights, ideas and perspectives from CC.

Explore a cross-section of up-to-date content on the deep tech trends shaping the future of business and society.

Careers

Are you looking for an opportunity for your abilities to be recognised, and make a real difference?

Whether you are just starting out or you’re an experienced professional, we would love to hear from you.