Workers in a manual warehouse typically follow everything how you would expect them to. They choose products, put them on carts, bring them to the shipping ports, and load them into containers for shipping.
On the other hand, every small operation in a smart warehouse is automated. Orders are automatically processed, the system determines whether the products are in stock, and pick-up lists are given to robot carts, which then load the ordered items into containers, preparing them for transportation.
That being said, a smart warehouse consists of several interconnected parts and technologies that work together to achieve a single objective. With that in mind, here are a few components you must incorporate into your current warehouse to make it “smart.”
Robots and Drones
Drones and robots are an integral part of any smart warehouse. Drones are used to gain easy and safe access to challenging, hard-to-reach spots inside a warehouse. These typically have cameras, sensors, RFID, or barcode scanners that are faster and more accurate than manual methods. Among other inventory tasks, they help find particular products in an inventory with thousands of items, carry out stocktakes, and do cycle counts.
Similarly, robots or cobots collaborate with people, automating labor-intensive or repetitive tasks, including assembly, material handling, and machine feeding. The best example of cobots and drones is Amazon’s “Aerial Fulfillment Centers.” This technology-centered initiative promotes drone use in warehouses and aerial deliveries.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly prevalent in warehouses and across all industries. And for good reasons. The ability to increase production with fewer errors is one of those reasons. Think of a scenario where AI enables warehouse robots to select items in the most effective way possible. The items’ kind, quantity, size, and weight can be utilized to identify the appropriate box type for a shipment.
Some warehouses can even deploy packing devices that use artificial intelligence to pack goods most effectively. AI combined with algorithms for computer vision and machine learning can be effectively used by businesses to manage inventories and optimize routes. This is why AI is one of the most critical components of a smart warehouse.
AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles)
AGVs or automated guided vehicles replace forklifts and help improve material handling and freight transportation. In addition, warehouse robots take care of product picking and packaging. They are essentially more mobile, automated pallet jacks.
They transport more stuff at once, more quickly than people, and even figure out the best path to collect the required commodities. According to reports, Amazon’s network of warehouses already houses more than 200,000 mobile robots. This group of robots assists them in meeting their warehousing demands while working side by side with human personnel. They are essentially an essential element of their smart warehouse.
Wrapping Up
A smart warehouse is essentially the way of the future since technology is slowly automating every process and task. However, warehousing businesses need to realize this and incorporate “smart” technology elements into their warehousing facilities. Otherwise, they risk fading into the fray and being overtaken by their competitors!
