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Manufacturers hope to create more efficient labor forces by using automation for product picking and shipping activities. Most people are considering reducing warehouse operational costs through automation solutions and repositioning existing workforce to higher-value-added tasks. Traditional warehouses typically involve forklift drivers driving around the warehouse transporting pallets. The current trend is allocating incoming products to picking stations and letting AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots) handle the transportation work. This means forklifts can stay in more localized areas, working more effectively. Worker safety is also improved, with forklifts being less likely to damage shelving.
Compared to manufacturing, retail has different seasonal peaks and valleys. Therefore, retail warehouse automation solutions must provide sufficient capability and capacity to handle peak volumes, which may make them more expensive. However, fundamentally, requirements are basically the same—currently everything is about improving efficiency and reducing labor costs, which is why automated vertical storage systems are becoming increasingly popular. Vertical lift modules can place five component boxes simultaneously for picking, unlike traditional systems that retrieve individual boxes one at a time.
The primary use of AMRs in manufacturing warehouses is moving pallets, whether incoming or outgoing shipments, or they find applications moving non-conveyable items (products unsuitable for warehouse conveyor systems). AMRs can move things very flexibly, and they are also collaborative. Currently, AMR applications in the warehouse field are growing rapidly. Looking toward the near future, we will see AI (Artificial Intelligence) developments playing a greater role in AMR technology. With artificial intelligence, robots will be able to better understand their surroundings and make decisions while moving. For example, not only determining when their path is blocked, but also identifying what is blocking it and whether they can navigate around it, or whether an alternative route is best.
Future trends in material handling will focus on achieving higher picking efficiency. By using automatic vertical storage systems to deliver more components simultaneously, kits can be picked faster without walking around shelves. After picking is completed, AMRs can transport parts to production lines for assembly or to shipping areas for packaging, further improving efficiency. As it becomes increasingly difficult to find workers willing to take on traditional roles, and with annual increases in minimum wages, automation of logistics functions has never been more important!
