The integration of AI and Robotics has proven immensely beneficial for the fast-growing logistics sector, enabling it to reach new horizons of success.
The ever-increasing penetration of technology has been steering businesses across verticals towards remarkable growth, and the logistics sector is no exception. As consumer expectations, preferences, and behavior change rapidly, the logistics sector, too, has evolved alongside these to ensure a seamless experience. And under the broad logistics umbrella, there is one function that plays a pivotal role in order picking, timely delivery of shipments, etc., – warehousing.
Although the fundamentals of warehousing principles haven’t changed drastically, warehousing solutions have evolved tremendously over the years. As consumer demands grow and change each day, warehousing, much like the other aspects of logistics, has seen the incorporation of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, ML, Robotics, Data Analytics, and IoT. Retailers are rethinking their strategies to ensure frictionless packaging and shipping of items but while managing large volumes of orders, this becomes a roadblock. This is where technology comes into the picture.
Revolutionizing Warehousing
Having proven to make warehousing and warehouse management systems more robust, technology has played an instrumental role in increasing operational efficiency and driving growth even amidst the ongoing pandemic. In fact, automation has become the new trend in warehousing – one that is likely to be long-lasting.
Today, with logistics platforms further bolstering their infrastructure by adopting digitization incorporating technology into their processes, employees no longer need to focus on the repetitive mundane tasks such as order processing, picking, and packaging – it’s taken care of by automated warehouse management systems that allow the employees to focus on more critical tasks, thereby streamlining the process and enhancing operational efficiency. Now, given that the warehousing space has taken huge strides in terms of technology adoption, the million-dollar question is, what does the future look like?
AI and Robotics: Building the Warehouses of Tomorrow
Although leveraging AI-based technology has become a must to sustain in the fast-changing industry, implementing it will vary for each business depending on several factors – the volume of shipments processed, size of the business, etc. But given the rate at which the demand for quick deliveries and seamless order and post-order experience is growing, logistics players are constantly augmenting tech their infrastructure to meet the demand.
Today’s AI technology and robots are far more advanced than they were a few years ago – they are now well-suited to the growing, complex demands of omnichannel supply chains and are equipped to serve in companies that process large volumes of shipments each day. For instance, we can expect Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to be introduced that can navigate their way through a warehouse to retrieve the right goods and deliver them to the workers who can proceed with loading the shipments and sending them to be delivered, due to built-in sensors. In fact, AMRs can even navigate their way around obstacles in their path and work alongside employees.
These smart technologies will not only make operations more optimized but also ultimately ensure that there are no delays or errors in inventory management, thereby ensuring timely deliveries – something that is much-needed amidst turbulent times. With technologies such as cloud computing, machine learning, and IoT, logistics platforms can deploy AMRs or AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), fitting the robots with the right sensors and algorithms to navigate the complexities of warehouse management efficiently.
To further improve the warehousing system, the logistics industry will need to focus on bolstering infrastructure such as internet connectivity as robots rely on data and communication to function frictionlessly. With the advent of 5G networks, logistics platforms will be able to integrate it into the robots, making internal warehouse communications more advanced and structured.
Final word
Over the past few years, AI has been integrating itself seamlessly into warehousing functions, enhancing the streamlining and efficiency of warehouses. The integration of AI and Robotics has proven immensely beneficial for the fast-growing logistics sector, enabling it to reach new horizons of success. As more and more technologies such as the aforementioned begin to enter the warehousing space, players will need to ensure that the staff is aptly trained to work alongside them efficiently without any hassles. All in all, with the introduction of collaborative technology such as AI and Robotics, warehousing is expected to grow astronomically while striking a perfect balance between productivity and high quality.
Source: Business World
