Efficiency is doing better what is already being done. Peter Drucker, the “Inventor of Modern Management.”
Sure, he didn’t work in warehousing, but Drucker’s timeless words ring true to this day. As we all know, the efficiency (or inefficiency) of warehouse operations can make or break a business. With ever-increasing demand and expectations for quick order fulfillment still in the stratosphere, traditional manual labor in warehouses is becoming less viable. For better or worse, people just aren’t as efficient as machines when it comes to never ending, repetitive processes.
While us mortals are still necessary—for now—Goods-to-Person (G2P) robots streamline picking and shipping processes to ensure that your orders are accurately fulfilled and dispatched on time. They deliver shelves, pallets, and totes directly to workers, eliminating walking and can be three to four times faster than manual picking processes.
Here are 10 ways goods-to-person robots are revolutionizing the warehouse industry and addressing labor challenges:
1. Increased Efficiency
Even though we generally accept the adage of “the shortest distance between two points is a line,” humans aren’t always best at calculating that distance and a straight line in warehousing isn’t always an option.
However, Goods-to-Person robots can be programmed to find the best route for retrieving and transporting goods to designated pick stations, significantly reducing the time and effort required for order picking.
2. Labor Savings
Finding, training, and retaining workers is a challenge for nearly all warehouses, but automating the retrieval and transportation of goods often leads to decreased reliance on manual labor.
Rarely do we get more for less, but goods-to-person systems enable warehouses to operate with fewer workers while maintaining—or even increasing—throughput. This not only cuts down on labor costs and the need to hire more staff, but it also frees up time so current workers can develop new areas of expertise and acquire the skill sets needed as warehouses rely more and more on automated processes.
3. Improved Safety
Manual order picking in warehouses can bring a host of problems for workers—fast-moving equipment, falling loads, shifting pallets, as well as muscle pain and ergonomic injuries caused by repetitive tasks.
Goods-to-person robots eliminate the need for workers to navigate through crowded aisles and handle heavy loads, reducing the risk of injuries and improving overall workplace safety. With the implementation of G2P systems, workers can focus on tasks that require human judgment and dexterity, rather than repetitive and potentially hazardous activities.
4. Optimized Space Utilization
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all warehouse storage solution and traditional warehousing layouts often require extensive space for aisles and walkways to accommodate human workers and equipment.
Goods-to-person robots operate within a compact and calculated framework, reducing congestion and allowing warehouses to maximize their use of available space. This optimization enables warehouses to store more inventory and increase storage density without expanding their facilities, resulting in cost savings and improved inventory management.
5. Flexibility and Scalability
During peak season, orders pile up like presents under the tree and within weeks, the presents are opened, the tree recycled, and it’s time to pivot. Warehouses must be able to adapt quickly to variations in demand and seasonal peaks, and also address fluctuations in labor needs. Goods-to-person robots offer the kind of scalability and flexibility to meet these changing operational needs. To handle surges in orders during peak periods and off-season downtimes, these automated systems can easily scale up or down to match demand, ensuring warehouses are always agile.
6. Enhanced Order Accuracy
Human error in order picking can lead to costly mistakes such as shipping the wrong items or incorrect quantities to customers—after all, we’re only human and humans make mistakes.
When adopting G2P processes, rules and processes can be configured and customized so workers always know where items are located. Since robots operate with precision, the risk of picking errors is reduced dramatically. By minimizing the potential for mispicks, warehouses can enhance order accuracy and customer satisfaction, and reduce returns and their associated costs.
7. Faster Order Fulfillment
Unfortunately, when competing with the likes of Amazon and Walmart, speed is the defining factor and most warehouses cannot guarantee faster-than-Usain-Bolt order fulfillment.
Goods-to-person robots can accelerate order fulfillment by minimizing the time it takes to retrieve and deliver items to pick stations. With shorter lead times and faster processing, warehouses can meet tight delivery windows and offer expedited shipping options to customers.
8. 24/7 Operation
Unlike human workers, who actually need sleep and rest to prevent fatigue, goods-to-person robots can operate continuously and never need a coffee break or time off.
This enables warehouses to extend their operational hours and achieve the kind of round-the-clock productivity only machines can offer. By leveraging automation, warehouses can fulfill orders faster—even during off-peak hours—saving both time and money.
9. Data-Driven Insights
Goods-to-person systems are equipped with sensors and software that capture real-time data on warehouse operations. Armed with the data insights, warehouses can see the bigger picture when it comes to productivity, inventory movement, and operational bottlenecks.
This data-driven approach allows warehouses to rapidly identify areas for optimization, constantly refine processes, and make informed decisions to further enhance efficiency and performance.
10. Adoption of Robotics Technology
Robotics offer unparalleled precision, efficiency, and consistency in all tasks, and warehouses that strategically invest in robotics technology are setting themselves up for long-term success in an increasingly automated world.
By utilizing robotic systems, warehouses can optimize production processes, streamline workflows, mitigate operational costs, and adapt to dynamic market demands. By staying at the forefront of technological innovation, warehouses can future-proof their operations and remain competitive in a rapidly evolving industry landscape.
Conclusion
The use of human labor in tandem with robotics systems will reshape the future of warehousing and empower businesses to thrive in the digital age. As the demand for faster, more efficient logistics solutions continues to grow, goods-to-person robots are poised to play a central role in shaping the warehouse of tomorrow—at least until they achieve sentience and put us to work for them.