IKEA explores wearable robotics with Moonwalker boots to enhance operational performance in fulfilment centres

IKEA explores wearable robotics with Moonwalker boots to enhance operational performance in fulfilment centres

(IN BRIEF) IKEA is testing robotic “Moonwalker” boots at its Helsingborg fulfilment centre in Sweden to improve warehouse efficiency. The AI-powered footwear allows workers to move faster across large spaces, resulting in a reported 16% increase in picking productivity. The initiative, driven by employee-led innovation, highlights IKEA’s approach to continuous improvement and experimentation. As part of a broader strategy that includes automation and AI solutions, the company is exploring how wearable technology can enhance both productivity and the overall working experience.

(PRESS RELEASE) LEIDEN, 27-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — IKEA is exploring new ways to enhance warehouse efficiency through the use of innovative wearable technology, with early results from its Helsingborg facility in Sweden showing promising gains in productivity.

At the IKEA Helsingborg fulfilment centre, a team of co-workers began experimenting with robotic footwear known as Moonwalkers—devices designed to increase walking speed by adapting to the user’s natural movement. The initiative originated from a team member who discovered the technology and proposed testing it in daily operations.

The Moonwalkers, which are worn over regular shoes, incorporate adaptive AI to synchronize with each individual’s walking pattern. This enables users to move significantly faster across large fulfilment spaces, an advantage that translates directly into improved order picking efficiency.

Initial trials at the site indicate that picking productivity per hour has increased by approximately 16%. For employees responsible for covering large warehouse areas, the ability to move faster has resulted in greater output and a more streamlined workflow.

Sebastian Carlius, Fulfilment Operations Manager at IKEA Helsingborg, noted that both staff and customers have responded positively to the innovation. He highlighted that the introduction of new, effective tools not only improves performance but also generates enthusiasm among employees, encouraging further exploration of efficiency-enhancing solutions.

The project reflects IKEA’s broader approach to innovation, where ideas often emerge from employees working directly within operations rather than from centralized directives. This bottom-up culture encourages experimentation and continuous improvement.

David McCabe, Global Fulfilment & Core Services Manager at Ingka Group, emphasized that initiatives like this demonstrate the value of empowering teams to test new concepts and share insights. He pointed out that such collaborative experimentation plays a key role in driving operational improvements across the organization.

The use of Moonwalkers forms part of IKEA’s wider investment in automation and advanced technologies aimed at improving workplace efficiency. Across its global operations, the company has already implemented more than 40 automated solutions, including robotics and AI-driven systems, to support fulfilment processes.

By integrating wearable robotics into its workflow, IKEA continues to explore practical innovations that enhance productivity while maintaining a focus on employee experience and operational effectiveness.

About Ingka Group 

SOURCE: Ingka Holding B.V