Thistle Systems has unveiled the latest development of its Autocube® Automated Pallet Storage Solution, marking a major milestone in warehouse automation thank to its partnership with Dutch automation pioneers Logiqs, who were the first in the world to introduce 3D pallet shuttle technology.
This next-generation system combines decades of proven innovation from Logiqs with Thistle’s in-house design engineering, integration, and support capabilities—offering UK companies a powerful tool to transform how they store, move, and manage pallets.
A New Chapter for Autocube® in the UK
The Autocube® 4-Way Carrier is the 6th Generation of the automated pallet storage solution, building on the success of Logiqs first installation which was commissioned in a cold store environment in Portugal in 2015 and continues to deliver market leading performance levels.
“Autocube® enables UK companies to take advantage of the extraordinary benefits of automated pallet storage solutions with market leading technology with a 10 year track record of reliability and performance,” said Mike Cairns, Managing Director of Thistle Systems.
“Our partnership with Logiqs combines world-leading technology with our UK-based engineering teams to provide local delivery, commissioning and support. The result is a game-changing solution for businesses looking to boost capacity, cut energy costs, and scale smarter.”
Performance That Sets a New Standard
The new 4-Way Autocube® Carrier delivers a host of technical advancements that dramatically elevate the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of automated pallet storage systems.
At the heart of this leap forward is a completely redesigned 4-Way carrier. Every component has been engineered for maximum speed, endurance, and energy optimisation, ensuring the system outperforms competitors as well as traditional shuttle and stacker-crane solutions on all fronts.
Energy Efficiency: A Competitive Advantage
The Autocube® 4-Way Carrier offers exceptional energy performance, consuming significantly less power than conventional systems.
- 16 hours of runtime from just a 2-hour charge – made possible by next-generation battery systems and energy recovery through regenerative braking.
- Fewer carriers required to maintain throughput, reducing both capital expenditure and ongoing energy costs.
- Reduced infrastructure demands – fewer charging stations and minimal grid impact.
This level of energy efficiency doesn’t just reduce costs—it also aligns with sustainability goals and supports ESG reporting requirements.
“Energy efficiency isn’t just a technical spec—it’s a strategic advantage,” says Cairns. “The new Autocube® Carrier delivers more uptime with less input, giving our clients a smarter way to operate.”
Faster, Smarter, More Productive
Performance gains aren’t limited to energy savings. The 6th Generation Autocube® Carrier features increased cruising speed, enabling faster cycle times and improved throughput across all warehouse operations.
- Higher cruising speeds mean more pallets moved per shift, without sacrificing control or precision.
- Parallel operations across multiple aisles maximise the efficiency of lifts and reduce congestion.
- Intelligent pathfinding algorithms optimise every movement for speed and energy conservation.
Together, these enhancements help companies unlock new levels of productivity, especially in time-sensitive environments like e-commerce fulfilment, chilled food logistics, and 3PL operations.
Lighter Build, Stronger Performance
Thanks to advanced materials and engineering, the Autocube® 4-Way Carrier is now lighter and more compact—reducing structural loads while increasing agility.
- Lower weight contributes directly to reduced energy usage.
- Enhanced acceleration and braking make for smoother, faster operations.
- Optimised footprint allows for even greater storage density without compromising system speed or safety.
Combined with Thistle’s intelligent rack design and layout optimisation services, Autocube® enables businesses to store more pallets in less space, delivering impressive ROI while deferring costly warehouse expansions.
Built for Harsh Environments
With its robust, field-proven design, the Autocube® 4-Way Carrier is also built to perform in extreme conditions:
- Operates reliably at temperatures as low as –25°C, making it ideal for cold storage and frozen food environments.
- Resistant to condensation, corrosion, and material fatigue—ensuring long-term durability and minimal maintenance.
The Future of Pallet Handling in the UK
With the introduction of its 6th Generation 4-Way Carrier, Thistle Systems has positioned Autocube® as the UK’s most advanced pallet storage solution—delivering best-in-class energy efficiency, performance, and scalability.
“This is the future of high-performance warehousing,” says Mike. “Autocube® delivers faster speeds, lower costs, greater resilience, and the flexibility to scale with demand. It’s everything modern logistics operations need to compete and grow.”
To learn more or see the Autocube® 4-Way Carrier in action, contact the team today.
