Phononic announced the launch of its Actively-Cooled Tote (ACT) 2000: the next generation of cooling and freezing for cold chain fulfillment. This innovative solution combines the success of the first ACT which debuted in September 2021; now with learnings from more than 20 commercial installations. As the first truly sustainable solution for grocery’s end-to-end cold chain fulfillment needs, the ACT 2000 features a proprietary thermoelectric-based cooling platform that eliminates toxic refrigerants and environmentally destructive hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) that warm the earth’s atmosphere. All while meeting the most demanding refrigerated and frozen cold chain needs.
Available in both refrigerator and freezer versions for retail and automation environments, the ACT 2000 includes accessories, IoT data connectivity, and turn-key installation. Phononic’s ACT 2000 is the premiere solution for precise and secure cooling and freezing throughout the fulfillment ecosystem. The ACT 2000 has updated features including lightweight and ergonomically friendly design for ease of handling and has 33% more storage capacity than its predecessor for larger food items and multiple orders. Its aluminum shell has enhanced durability and recyclability, its lid has bidirectional opening for packing flexibility, and it features a user-friendly UX that displays cooling status and IoT connectivity. The ACT 2000’s solid state cooling offers unprecedented value and sustainability not achievable with compressor-based systems, freezer pack or dry ice solutions.
Phononic’s ACT 2000 key features include:
- Dimensions: The ACT 2000 has updated internal dimensions to maximize the ROI for grocers. The thin walls and straight edges are designed to increase volume and reduce weight. The larger capacity creates room for bigger food items and multiple orders.
- Temperature: Precise temperature control provides unmatched cold chain integrity, with freezer setpoint at -18°C (or -0.4°F) and refrigerator at 3.3°C (or 37.9°F).
- Weight: The ACT 2000 is lightweight and portable, at 21lbs. This equates to a 33% reduction in weight from the ACT. This is critical for workers who might have to lift it in the facility.
- Lid Capabilities: The innovative lid can open from either side. The replaceable friction hinges hold open to reduce touches during picking, and a magnetic closure helps the tote stay closed for energy conservation. Last, the entire lid can be removed for maximum convenience and efficiency.
- Connected Services: The ACT 2000 has built-in IoT connectivity that powers a dashboard that can show the temperature history, energy consumption and other metrics, ensuring the highest product quality and maximum operational efficiency.
- Accessories: Experience with commercial installations has demonstrated that grocers are asking for a comprehensive cold chain solution. The ACT 2000 will include a family of Tote accessories: mobile-powered carts for optimized picking, staging and curbside pickup, vertically powered storage racks to minimize storage footprint, and integration into robotics automation.
Phononic currently has over 20 commercial installations, including grocers from the top 10 U.S. grocery retailers and the leading automation partners for Micro Fulfillment Centers (MFCs), and plans to expand globally.
