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Wuhan University Chooses Modula Vertical Automation
20.04.2026
Where Academic Innovation and Logistics Meet
What could a Modula VLM system have in common with one of China’s most prestigious universities? The answer is simple: order, precision, efficiency, and quality of service. These are precisely the values that ledWuhan University— among the country’s academic centers of excellence and consistently ranked at the top of major international league tables — to select the Modula brand to modernize the management of its library and teaching laboratories.
In recent years, the university has undertaken a major transformation of itsEngineering Training and Innovation Practice Center, with the goal of integrating training pathways and providing students with an increasingly advanced, technology-driven hands-on experience. The center houses high-value educational tools, includingprogramming robots,drones, andexperimental devices. However, until 2025, the logistics organization based on traditional storage systems represented a tangible limitation to the development of this educational project.
Disorganized material layouts, manual management through paper records, difficulty in quickly locating equipment, and excessive space occupation were just some of the challenges. These issues were compounded by the need for staff dedicated to picking operations and the inability to ensure full traceability and adequate safety levels. As the number of students involved in practical activities increased, the growing complexity of the laboratory made it essential to adopt an automated solution capable of supporting the university’s digital transformation process.
The Turning Point: An Intelligent Vertical Storage System
To address these needs, Wuhan University choseModula Next, launching the first project of this model in China. The 8.4-meter-high VLM was installed outside the university buildings, with a picking bay located on the second floor and integrated into the connecting corridor between two teaching facilities. This solution was designed to maximize the use of available space and optimize operational flows.
In just 7 m², tools and materials that previously occupied 65 m² with traditional shelving are now stored.The system is integrated withModula WMS Premiumand a customized mobile app developed by integrator Wuhan Lift, enabling fully automated and shared warehouse management.
Students can reserve equipment in advance directly through the app, wherever they are on campus. Once they reach the storage area, picking access is authorized by scanning a QR code that verifies their physical presence on site. After identification, the system automatically retrieves the material: when the pickup option is selected, the internal logistics system transports the item to the dedicated access point, opening only the correct compartment. The result is a fast, precise, and error-free process.
The entire operational flow is designed to run autonomously, without the need for dedicated staff. Every piece of equipment — from robots and drones to experimental tools — is fully traceable, enabling continuous monitoring of usage and location. Internal storage locations are dynamically configured based on material dimensions, optimizing space and making the system highly scalable.
Tangible Results and a New Learning Experience
The transition from a traditional warehouse to the Modula VLM delivered immediate and measurable benefits. More than 500 robots and drones are now stored safely and in an orderly manner, with full traceability of inbound and outbound movements. The drastic reduction in occupied space has improved the organization of teaching environments, while autonomous access to equipment has made the student learning experience smoother and more modern.
At the same time, the level of security and resource control has increased, as has the efficiency of the innovation center’s management processes. The project also demonstrated the ability of Modula solutions to integrate into complex digital ecosystems, contributing to the creation of a smart, automated university laboratory model.
Looking Ahead to the Future of Academic Innovation
Wuhan University’s experience shows how logistics innovation is no longer an exclusively industrial topic. Universities, research centers, and advanced educational environments are becoming new application areas for cutting-edge material management technologies. In this context, models such as Next, Slim, and Flexibox are poised to redefine logistics paradigms in academia as well, paving the way for increasingly digitalized, efficient, and future-oriented campuses.