The Company
Founded in 1893 and now recognized among the most prestigious universities in China, Wuhan University is an international benchmark for academic excellence, scientific research, and technological innovation. In recent years, the university has embarked on a strategic path of digital transformation, aiming to more effectively integrate theoretical education with practical experience. Within this framework, the Engineering Training and Innovation Practice Center has been further enhanced as an advanced hub dedicated to developing students’ technical skills through the use of high-technology teaching tools, including programming robots, drones, and experimental devices.
The Challenge
The growing number of students involved in hands-on activities and the increasing complexity of the equipment used have highlighted significant limitations in the center’s logistical organization. Until 2025, material management relied on traditional storage systems and paper-based records, leading to difficulties in quickly locating equipment, limited traceability, and excessive space occupancy. The need for dedicated staff to handle picking operations and inadequate safety levels represented additional critical issues, making it clear that an automated solution was urgently required to support the modernization of the educational infrastructure.
The Solution
To address these needs, Wuhan University chose to implement Modula Next, completing the first project of this model in China. The 8.4-meter-high Vertical Lift Module 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 configuration made it possible to maximize available space and optimize operational workflows.
Within just 7 m², it became possible to store materials and equipment that had previously occupied 65 m² with traditional shelving. The system was integrated with Modula WMS Premium software and a customized mobile app developed by the integrator Wuhan Lift, ensuring fully automated and shared management. Students can book equipment via the app, access picking operations by scanning QR codes, and automatically receive the requested items through a fast, accurate, and error-free process. The entire workflow is designed to operate autonomously, ensuring full traceability and dynamic space configuration based on the size of the stored materials.
The Results
The introduction of the VLM delivered immediate and measurable benefits. More than 500 robots and drones are now stored securely and in an organized manner, with constant monitoring of inbound and outbound movements. The significant reduction in occupied space has improved the organization of teaching environments, while autonomous access to equipment has made the learning experience smoother, more modern, and better aligned with students’ needs.
At the same time, safety and resource control levels have increased, as has the operational efficiency of the innovation center’s processes. The project has demonstrated the ability of Modula solutions to integrate into complex digital ecosystems, contributing to the creation of a smart, automated university laboratory model.
The Future
The experience of Wuhan University confirms that logistics innovation is playing an increasingly strategic role in the academic world as well. Universities and research centers are emerging as new application fields for advanced material management technologies, paving the way for campuses that are increasingly digitalized, efficient, and future-oriented.
In this context, solutions such as Modula Next, Slim, and Flexibox are set to redefine the paradigms of university logistics, fostering the adoption of innovative educational models and supporting the global digital transformation of educational institutions.