Robotics have taken the warehouse industry by storm, and are increasingly being relied upon to automate common warehouse operations in response to changing supply chain demands. Here are some of the most common warehouse robotics use cases:
Picking
Robots have become a common fixture in order picking. This involves quickly and efficiently moving products from storage to a picking station to fulfill orders. With order picking robots, the travel time and the costs associated with it can be greatly reduced, leading to increased productivity and efficiency.
Sorting
While sorting may seem like a simple task, it can be complicated when it comes to automating it. Robots equipped with conveyors, arms, cameras, and sensors use algorithms to correctly identify and direct items to the appropriate bin or storage area. Alternatively, AI-integrated sorting systems can work with picking automations to ensure accuracy in batch-picked items during the sorting process.
Packaging
Warehouse robotics includes software like cartonization systems and bagging machines that work to automate packaging operations. These automated systems use product weight and dimensions to calculate the right size carton for orders, optimizing the packaging process.
Transportation
Manually transporting items from one end of the warehouse to another is both physically demanding and time-consuming. This is where robotic transportation systems such as AGVs, monorails, and conveyor systems come into play. These automated systems help transport pallets and goods efficiently, saving time and reducing the number of people needed on the warehouse floor.
Replenishment
Warehouse robots can also automate the replenishment process by monitoring inventory levels and sending out alerts when stock counts drop below a minimum threshold. AGVs can be deployed to direct workers into the replenishment process when new inventory arrives, reducing backorders and increasing inventory accuracy. Robots are proving to be reliable in automating common warehouse operations, optimizing productivity, reducing error rates, and lowering running costs. As warehouse efficiency continues to become a critical success factor in managing supply chains, organizations that embrace robotics will undoubtedly remain ahead of the curve.