Automation and Robotics in Warehouse Management

The management and administration of storehouses and warehouses has undergone a dramatic shift. From the conventional, human-operated settings to modern systems that combine automated machinery and human labour, this change is thanks to the integration of automation and robotics, which have enabled safer and more effective operations in warehouses.

Warehouse Robots: What are They?

The warehouse robots are usually unmanned devices made to do particular duties at a distribution centre or warehouse. The activities which were previously completed by hands are now done by robots, thanks to clever automation. The primary objective of this initiative is to reduce the workload for human workers, particularly for tasks which are repetitive, physically demanding, or dangerous jobs.

Some of the technologies that are primarily used are AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), sophisticated conveyor systems, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), and software driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI). Some of the identified benefits of automation are:

• Increased Order Fulfilment
• Improved Inventory and Order Precision
• Quicker Inventory Management

Working of Warehouse Robots

Contemporary warehouse robots are capable of carrying out a variety of duties with accuracy and consistency. This is due to the usage of sophisticated software and physical equipment. The robots are able to move items very efficiently, explore warehouse areas on their own and do tasks like sorting and retrieval with little assistance from humans. To understand how this is used practically, lets us take a look at a case study. 

OmniWare is an organization which is a mid-sized distributor. Previously, they used to follow the manual selection system which caused an increase in expenses and delays in orders. With the newly launched automation systems they implemented autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This was prominently used for order pickup and deliveries inside their warehouse. This helped them to remain competitive in the market.  The immediate result was seen as a decreased time in worker’s travel time and more focus on important duties. 

The AMRs' real-time tracking and optimal routing also helped in these results. Eventually there was a significant reduction in OmniWare’s errors and improvement in processing times by 40% in just six months. Omniware reaped the fruits by increased productivity and employee satisfaction. 

Even though the industry is extremely delighted with the introduction of these new technologies, one cannot ignore the flip side of these robots. These automated robots can lead to job shifts or reduced employment opportunities for human labour. The organizations implementing these technologies have to bear heavy costs as initial capital investments and these systems can be susceptible to technical glitches or failures.

Final Thoughts

Automation and robotics are transforming warehouse management, bringing efficiency, accuracy, and scalability to a level previously unattainable with traditional methods.