KNAPP to Redefine Logistics with AI Brain and 3D Robotics at MODEX

ATLANTA, GA – March 02, 2026 – As the logistics industry grapples with unprecedented demand for speed and resilience, Austrian automation specialist KNAPP is preparing to showcase a suite of technologies at MODEX 2026 aimed at redefining the competitive landscape. From April 13-16 in Atlanta, the company will present what it describes as a new dimension in performance, built upon an intelligent AI platform, award-winning 3D robotics, and a deeply integrated software and service ecosystem. The announcements signal a strategic shift from traditional, reactive automation to proactive, self-optimizing supply chains designed to meet the challenges of same-day delivery and increasing operational complexity.

The AI Brain of the Modern Warehouse

At the heart of KNAPP's vision is KNAPP Brain, an artificial intelligence platform the company is positioning as a first-of-its-kind solution designed specifically for digital value chains. Moving beyond the confines of the warehouse, this AI layer is engineered to unify and orchestrate processes from production and fulfillment to last-mile execution. Unlike conventional systems that react to orders and events, KNAPP Brain is designed to plan ahead, using predictive analytics to forecast demand, optimize inventory placement, and dynamically manage fulfillment operations.

This move aligns with a broader industry trend where AI is no longer a bolt-on feature but a core, "AI-native" component of logistics software. As data volumes explode, modern platforms are increasingly expected to not only provide decision support but to take autonomous action, identifying risks and initiating corrective measures in real time. KNAPP's platform aims to deliver on this promise by enabling systems that learn, adapt, and stay ahead of disruption.

Visitors to MODEX will have the opportunity to delve deeper into this technology during a presentation by Stefan Schober, Principal Software & Automation Consultant at KNAPP. His session, titled “The Intelligent Supply Chain: Beyond Automation to AI & Augmented Operations,” is expected to detail how this AI-driven approach can transform logistics into a more predictive and resilient function.

Robotics Reaching New Dimensions

Complementing its software intelligence is a portfolio of advanced robotics, headlined by the live demonstration of the AeroBot system. These autonomous warehouse robots represent a significant evolution in automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). Using LiDAR technology for navigation, AeroBots move freely in three dimensions—lengthwise and crosswise along the floor, and vertically up racks as high as 12 meters. This unique capability allows for exceptionally high storage density and flexibility, making it possible to automate warehouses with challenging layouts, including those with support beams or sloped ceilings.

The industry has already taken notice. The AeroBot system secured the “Best Product Award” at LogiMAT 2025, where judges praised it for filling a gap in warehouse robotics with a solution that prioritizes simplicity and brings ASRS technology to standard building heights. It also received the “Best of Industry Award” from the German industrial magazine MM MaschinenMarkt. The system's real-world viability is further underscored by its recent adoption by Siemens at its Karlsruhe facility, chosen for its scalability and fast, standardized deployment.

While AeroBot excels in the mid-range performance category, KNAPP is also pushing the boundaries at the high end. The company has announced it will unveil a design concept for a new bot-based storage system at the upcoming LogiMAT show in Stuttgart. This next-generation system is being engineered to deliver top-tier throughput and sequencing performance, further broadening a robotics portfolio that already includes the high-performance Evo Shuttle 1D and 2D systems. Details are expected on March 25, giving the industry a preview of what could be the next leap forward in high-speed fulfillment robotics.

An Integrated Ecosystem from Software to Service

KNAPP's strategy emphasizes that hardware and AI are most powerful when unified within a cohesive ecosystem. The company will be showcasing its all-in-one software portfolio, which integrates Warehouse Management (WMS), Warehouse Execution (WES), and Warehouse Control (WCS) functionalities into a single framework. This integrated approach is critical in an era where software-led orchestration is seen as the key to unlocking the full potential of automation, coordinating human workers, robotics, and other systems into a single, efficient process.

This philosophy of seamless integration extends to enterprise-level systems. Highlighting this flexibility, KNAPP recently announced that its AeroBot system is now fully integrated into its SAP EWM landscape. This synergy between the operational technology on the warehouse floor and the enterprise resource planning (ERP) system is crucial for achieving real-time data accuracy, improving inventory management, and streamlining decision-making across the entire business.

The ecosystem's reach also extends beyond the four walls of the distribution center. The KiSoft Delivery Solution connects warehouse operations with transport and last-mile logistics. By dynamically calculating delivery windows, optimizing routes based on live traffic, and monitoring vehicle capacity, the software addresses the critical final step in the supply chain, helping companies execute on the promise of next- and same-day delivery.

To ensure these complex systems deliver sustained value, the technology partner is also rolling out a modernized, data-driven approach to customer service. This initiative is supported by a new North American leadership team and the upcoming launch of a MultiSite Control Center. This center will provide centralized, real-time support aimed at proactively reducing unplanned downtime, a strategy that strengthens long-term operational performance and aligns with the industry-wide push toward predictive maintenance. This holistic vision will be a central theme in several panel discussions at MODEX, featuring KNAPP executives and partners discussing the collaborative journey of automation.