Things to know about warehouse robots

Imagine, your warehouse labor costs are cut by 70%. Your warehouse operates day and night at the same cost. Your inventory is updated daily. This is a reality in today’s warehouses. The first warehouse robots were large robotic arms that could move programmatically. Inventors knew that people would not like machines taking over human jobs. Initially, they focused on transferring dangerous or harmful jobs to robotic technology. This strategy was successful and robotic technology was adopted in potentially dangerous situations, such as welding and heavy machinery lifting.

What is a warehouse robot?

Warehouse robots operate according to a pre-programmed plan, and their operations are highly accurate. Warehouse robots are robots that will perform almost all the necessary tasks of a warehouse. Warehouse robots will unload and load goods, and move goods to the appropriate place.

What types of robots can operate in your warehouse?

1. Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and smaller, Automated Guided Carts (AGCs), transport inventory around your warehouse. They typically follow magnetic stripes or a track laid in your warehouse.

For AGVs that do not follow a track, they have additional safety scanners that allow them to be used with manual vehicles. They are also loaded with a map of your warehouse and the location of all inventory. In addition to saving valuable time, this technology can work around the clock. AGVs work at night and on weekends at the same cost as operating during the day, which both improves warehouse efficiency and cuts costs.

2. Autonomous Mobile Warehouse Robots

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are similar to AGVs in that they use sensor technology to distribute inventory around the warehouse. Unlike AGVs, autonomous mobile robots do not require pre-set paths or routes between locations. AMRs understand their environment through the use of computers, on-board sensors, and maps.

These small, agile robots are capable of identifying information on each package and sorting it accurately. AMRs can move throughout the warehouse as they create their own routes based on the activity needed. They also reroute as needed and avoid obstacles in their environment. These robots provide efficiency, accuracy, and security during the sorting process. Today’s robots provide consistent accuracy regardless of the tedious nature of the process. As a result, warehouses have a higher degree of inventory accuracy.

AMRs not only help with the picking and sorting process but can also be used to conduct daily inventory checks.

3. Aerial Drones

Drones can help optimize the inventory counting process. Drone technology quickly scans locations for automated inventory. They can automatically connect to your WMS (if your WMS can integrate) to access your existing inventory information.

Drones do not need markers or lasers to guide them. They use optical systems along with deep learning and computer vision technology to navigate warehouses. They also don’t take up valuable space in your warehouse and are unlikely to get in the way of people or other robotic equipment.

Drones can quickly move to hard-to-reach and dangerous places. They can scan inventory both high and low much faster than a person and keep the most accurate counts uploaded instantly to your inventory management software.

4. Automated Storage and Retrieval System

Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) is a technology that moves inventory into and out of storage. It is often combined with warehouse execution software to direct operations.

AS/RS comes in various forms depending on the type of task, the system required, or the goods it will operate on. They operate as a shuttle running on a fixed track or a crane picking goods between aisles. Although, there are now aisle-climbing robots, such as Skypod, that also take customer orders.

Benefits of implementing robot technology in warehouses?

– Lower error rates
– Adaptable workforce
– Enhanced warehouse safety
– Higher customer satisfaction
– Innovative brand image
– Reduced labor and operating costs with higher productivity
– High accuracy in work
– Maximized warehouse space compared to traditional warehouses
– Investing in warehouse robots is considered a smart solution as it can quickly recoup costs because it does not require major infrastructure changes and operates efficiently.