Robotics and Automation in Logistics
Robots help in automating the workplace with the help of AI and programming. These robots increase the productivity of a workplace by 10x. In the tech-savvy world, robots have proven their worth in Production, Warehousing, and Logistics etc. The Supply Chain and Logistics companies have started deploying mobile automated guided vehicles (AVGs) in warehouses and storage facilities to transport goods. These advanced robots are controlled by a unique cloud-based software system. AMR or Autonomous Mobile Robots help free up human workforce from tedious and hazardous tasks and allow them to focus on more value-added activities. Automation in logistics is adopted by many companies to increase their productivity and fulfil their commitments.
To achieve warehouse automation following should be implemented:
- Goods-to-Person (GTP) Technology – Using the “goods-to-person” model increases efficiency by targeting the time wasted walking and searching for items. The interactive picking station guides the pickers to 100% accuracy and allows you to achieve pick rates above 600 picks per hour
- Driverless Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) – Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) is a kind of autonomous robot which increases efficiency and reduce costs for helping in manufacturing facility or warehouse. AGVs are actual vehicles that can take materials and tools from one location to another using a variety of different paths based on traffic in the area and programming that is done that will direct the AGV down the path that will get it to its location the quickest. Since AGVs are unmanned, they can run 24 hours and 365 days a year
- Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) – Minimize repetitive and unproductive tasks in pick and place applications including e-commerce fulfillment, warehousing, distribution and production. AMRs can easily be deployed to enhance existing operations without disruption or reconfiguration and contribute an immediate and significant improvement in efficiency and error reduction
The need for automation in the supply chain and logistics sector is rising but only a few companies are engaging in automating their everyday processes because of the large scale investment requirements of automation and the uncertainty of return. In the logistics automation business, the focus is on airports, industrial vehicles, building management, building safety and security, ports, trade and distribution centers, courier, express, parcel and postal service providers, cranes, and the traffic sector.
Investment in automation can benefit in:
- Increased Speed
- Cost Reduction
- Better Performance
- Productivity
- Reduced Errors
- Reduced human safety threats and incidents
In Logistics, automation refers to the use of machinery, conveyers, sorting stations etc. These automatically track goods and containers using RFID tags or barcodes and send them to their destinations. But, current technology is unable to automate all the tasks. As the process becomes increasingly automated over the years there is reduced labor usage and highest level of quality improvement to be achieved. In the current world scenario, where the pandemic has slowed down the world economies, automation in production, warehousing and logistics will play a crucial role in speeding up the entire process.
– Jayendran Natarajan