AutoStore & OBOS test automated residential storage with Pio

AutoStore has launched a residential storage pilot with OBOS in Oslo, introducing automated storage technology into a live housing environment using its Pio system.

The installation is located in the basement of a residential building at the OBOS Living Lab and is designed to assess how automated storage can improve space utilization and user access in residential settings.

Adaptation of warehouse automation to residential use
The system is based on AutoStore’s cube-based grid architecture, where storage bins are arranged in a compact structure and accessed by robotic units. This configuration enables high-density storage and automated retrieval of stored items.

Through the Pio interface, residents can manage stored belongings digitally and request retrieval on demand. The system replaces conventional storage units such as cages or lockers with a centralized automated solution.

Storage density and space utilization
The grid-based design allows increased storage capacity within a fixed footprint. Compared to traditional storage layouts, the system can provide up to four times higher storage density by minimizing unused space between stored items.

This approach addresses constraints in residential buildings where storage areas are limited and often underutilized.

User interaction and system operation
Residents interact with the system via a digital interface, enabling item tracking and retrieval requests. The automation system handles internal transport and delivery of storage bins to access points.

The pilot evaluates usability, response time, and integration into daily routines, focusing on ease of use and reliability in a non-industrial environment.

Modular system design and scalability
Pio packages the underlying automation technology into standardized configurations, reducing system complexity and enabling deployment in smaller-scale environments compared to traditional warehouse installations.

This modular approach allows adaptation to different building types and potential expansion to additional use cases such as shared storage, parcel handling, or equipment management.

Evaluation of residential application potential
The pilot will run for one year, during which operational data and user feedback will be collected. The objective is to assess performance, user acceptance, and potential for broader implementation in residential developments.

The collaboration between AutoStore and OBOS explores how automation technologies can be adapted from logistics environments to residential infrastructure.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals Editor — Adapted by AI.

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