How do robots help warehouse management?

The first person in the world who used the word automation was Delmas Hard, the vice president of Ford Motor Company in 1948, who said: “What we need is more automation.” He realized that in order to survive in the market and compete with companies like Chevrolet, there is a need to improve the performance at different stages of production. This was the first time someone thought of automating a production line. This approach led to the fact that these days in many production units and their warehouses robots are working to simplify and speed up the processes as well as warehouse management.

History of robotics in warehouse management

Although Hard talked about automation in 1948, there was no news of robots until 1954, when George Dowell produced the first robotic arm that was used in industry. This robotic arm, called Unimate, was able to move items 12 feet, which is equivalent to about three meters and sixty-five centimeters. This robot made George DeVell called the “grandfather of robots”. However, as there were many concerns about the unemployment of workers, the robot was not invested in until 1961. General Motors first used this robotic arm in 1962 at its plant in New Jersey.

The next robot was called Stanford arm, and Victor Sheinman started building it in 1969. It was the first robot that was powered by electricity and could move in six axes with good precision. This arm was powerful enough to assemble Ford’s Model T water engine using contact and optical sensors. The use of this robot was the beginning of a new era to achieve better efficiency in the production process.

Since then, the use of robots in production lines and warehouses has increased. In 2003, Kiva systems started producing AMRs or automatic mobile robots that were used to move goods using conveyors or forklifts in warehouses and distribution centers. The performance of Kiva robots was so remarkable that Amazon bought this company in 2012 and uses its robots in all its distribution centers and warehouses. Amazon, having ten thousand warehouse robots, is a pioneer in the development of this technology.

Types of robots in warehousing

Various robots are used for warehousing in the world, and each of them performs different tasks. Among them, there are four types of robots that are most used, we will talk about the details of these robots in the following.

Automated Guided Robot (AGV)

Kiva robots, which are the most famous robots in the world, are actually in the category of self-guided robots. These robots can move materials or equipment with the help of various sensors, magnetic strips and trackers installed in your warehouse. These robots are considered to be the best alternatives to wheelbarrows or forklifts in the warehouse.

Automated Mobile Robot (AMR)

AMR or autonomous mobile robot are actually a more advanced version of AGV. These robots do not need magnetic strips or sensors and are fully loaded with maps of warehouses and distribution centers. These robots are equipped with various safety scanners such as 3D cameras, infrared rays, lidar, front and rear sensors, etc., which help them to move around the environment without worries and completely master. These robots are also used as automatic lifts.

Cobots or collaborative robots

These robots, as their name suggests, work together with humans in the warehouse and actually simplified the work of the workers. They are semi-automated and move around the warehouse with a human so that he can place the selected items in the special compartments that these robots carry. These robots have sensors that help them avoid obstacles easily and improve the speed of order preparation.

Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS\RS)

Automated storage and retrieval systems is one of the systems used in the warehouse to quickly arrange goods in the right place and remove them when necessary. This system consists of several parts of cranes, vertical lifting modules, goods transfer rail, shuttle racking, etc. Since the entire AS/RS system is connected to a central computer, it works in such a way that the processing process starts immediately after receiving the order. This system is useful for moving a large amount of cargo from inside to outside and from outside to inside the warehouse and it saves the time and energy of employees.

Advantages of using robots in the warehouse

Whether or not to use artificial intelligence in factories is an issue that has not yet reached a final agreement. Although some people do not think this is right and believe that it will cause severe unemployment in the future, but the statistics obtained from the capabilities of intelligent automation show that this technology cannot be ignored. In the following, we will talk about some of the advantages of using robots in the warehouse.

Reduces physical activity and mental stress

The partnership of humans and artificial intelligence will help improve the customer experience and make business processes easier in various industries. Robots can take over dangerous and time-consuming tasks, thereby contributing to greater safety for warehouse workers. Robots save workers’ time for warehouse arrangement, packaging, counting, etc., and reduce the difficulty of work.

It increases the accuracy and productivity of the warehouse

Artificial intelligence helps to reduce human errors and improve the customer experience, which is the key to the success of any business. Since robots are programmed to do a specific task, there is no possibility of them working incorrectly. Also, they don’t get tired and make the most of their time.

Reduces warehouse costs

According to data obtained from research in the United States, an average warehouse worker spends seven weeks of unproductive work in the warehouse per year. According to estimates, this non-productive work has imposed a cost of 4.3 billion dollars on the industry, and the presence of robots can significantly reduce this cost.

Also, robots can take over dangerous jobs, and as a result, the probability of damage due to workers’ injuries will decrease. Also, the number of workers required in each unit will be less and it will save costs.

Conclusion

The things mentioned above are only part of the changes that artificial intelligence can make in the world of warehousing and this technology will continue to be more useful and effective. We have to wait and see what other surprises the modern world has in store for us.