Vecna Robotics’ CaseFlow Is Making Case Picking Smarter, Safer and Faster

Despite the growing buzz around warehouse automation, a major piece of the puzzle remains largely untouched: case picking. While autonomous vehicles and robotic arms are gaining traction, many warehouses still depend on manual labor to move cases from shelf to pallet. This inefficiency not only slows down throughput but also places strain on workers and operations, especially during peak seasons when staffing challenges multiply.

Why hasn’t case picking been meaningfully automated, and what’s stopping logistics leaders from rethinking the process?

Welcome to Robot vs. Wild. In the latest episode, Vecna Robotics’ Chief Marketing Officer Josh Kivenko sits down with two guests, namely Rebecca Li, Senior Product Manager at Vecna, and Andy Johnston, Senior Director of Design Engineering & Innovation at GEODIS, for a candid, data-driven discussion on the challenges of traditional warehouse case picking. Together, they dig into the hidden inefficiencies of human-only workflows, the impact of “micro breaks,” and the safety risks tied to outdated methods.

The main topics of conversation are…

• The inefficiencies of travel-heavy workflows: Most case picking systems require workers to walk long distances, perform repetitive motions, and manually make decisions that slow down the process.
• Seasonal surges that stretch operations thin: Adding short-term labor to meet peak demand often creates safety and training concerns, which can impact quality and consistency.
• The power of real-time system intelligence: By rethinking workflows and embracing robotics, operations leaders can reduce unproductive movement, balance workload more efficiently, and make smarter decisions based on live data.

Andy Johnston has been at GEODIS for over a decade and currently serves as Senior Director of Design Engineering & Innovation at the company. He has led large-scale automation initiatives across North and Latin America, including the deployment of over 300 autonomous mobile robots across 15 facilities. With a background in supply chain optimization, project implementation, and cross-functional leadership, Andy has successfully driven multimillion-dollar innovation strategies that enhance warehouse efficiency and scalability.

Rebecca Li is a seasoned product leader in robotics, currently serving as Senior Product Manager at Vecna Robotics, where she spearheaded the development and launch of CaseFlow—a system-level solution integrating AMRs, human-robot workflows, and orchestration tools. With a background in both robotics engineering and quantum research at MIT and Harvard, she blends deep technical expertise with strategic product vision to deliver high-impact automation solutions. Her experience spans emerging technologies including AR/VR, industrial automation, and human-machine collaboration, consistently driving measurable business results through innovation and cross-functional leadership.