People and Robots in Warehousing

Is picking a large portion of your warehouse operational costs?

Our partner, The Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), recently shared Gary A. Smith's thoughts on Picking Solutions for Industry 5.0. Gary shared that in many supply chains, picking is one of the most expensive warehouse operations, comprising as much as 55% of a distribution center’s operating costs. The process also tends to be mundane, error-prone and physically taxing. All of these aspects make picking a perfect opportunity for robots and other automation to step in and help.

And many companies have invested heavily in technology, as per TechCrunch, who recently shared that due to the pandemic, large investments have been made in robotics especially in warehouse and fulfillment. 

Clearly, some tasks are better suited for robotic assistance. Gary Smith identified where robots can most help in jobs that require the following: 

• traveling long distances

• operating in high-bay, narrow-aisle configurations

• working in hot, dirty environments

• counting and monitoring

• cleaning and disinfecting

• loading and unloading trailers

• optimizing systems and operations

With robots handling these simple and mundane tasks, people are able to focus on the responsibilities that only they can accomplish including critical thinking, creativity, communication, technical know-how, etc. The key will be identifying where automated mobile robots (AMRs) can collaborate with people to make picking more efficient. Per Smith, "AMRs are powered carts used in storage media that use carton or each picking. Human pickers usually are assigned to several aisles within a warehouse. An AMR can use lidar systems to navigate through the warehouse to the human pickers, collect the picked items and move them to the location of the next step in the fulfillment process."

Another option Gary discusses is automated guided vehicle systems (AGVSs) to help with picking bigger orders. "AGVSs have long been used for transporting pallets from shipping docks to marshaling areas, where human-driven forklifts pick up the pallets and move them to storage. Now, AGVSs commonly are being used in e-commerce warehouses to pick a full rack of a product and move it to a picking station, where the human picker can select the quantity needed to fulfill the orders." per Smith. 

Overall, the combination of people and robot workers can help organizations achieve greater operational efficiency while creating a safer and more enriching work environment for workers. There are, of course, questions with regard to what the balance will be, going forward. Per TechCrunch, "Attempting to stay afloat in the world of Amazon is a big part of why so many warehouses are particularly interested in robotics at the moment. After all, the tech has not only given the retailer a competitive advantage, it’s helped keep them running amid a global pandemic."

At ASCM Wisconsin we serve supply chain professionals at all stages of their careers with information and education to remain competitive in our ever-changing world. Check out our website for more information on our upcoming globally recognized supply chain certification classes and networking events at: www.wisconsin.ascm.org.