A convergence of technological innovation, economic forces and labour factors are driving the rapid growth of warehouse automation to meet the demands on supply chains. In the last several years, consumers have shifted more It is certainly exciting times for automation within the logistics supply chain. With such a vast array of technologies on offer for the movement of goods around the warehouse. Solutions such as AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), goods-to-person (GTP) systems, shuttles, smart storage, conveyors, unit sorters and many more. Confidence in warehouse automation is at an all-time high.
Product handling at the end of a process has been the toughest nut to crack with item picking being high on the agenda of many retailers and equipment manufacturers.
The good news is that there has been a proliferation of robotic piece-picking automation that is able to pick and place items found in a typical warehouse or fulfilment centre. This means that now robots can help automate a task that has been previously largely manual, helping unlock a new level of efficiency.
Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) have accelerated the capability of robotic piece picking. The Covariant Brain is the leader in AI-powered robotics for warehouse automation, or AI Robotics. Pre-trained on millions of SKU picks from connected robots in warehouses around the world. The Covariant Brain enables robots to see, think, act, and handle any item presented to it.
Here are some examples of fully autonomous AI-powered robotic systems that companies like Covariant and L-A-C can deliver.
- Robotic de-palletisation: Handling cases when depalletising can be highly injury prone. Robotic depalletisation, even for mixed-SKU pallets, can help automate a key part of your operations, ensuring pick zones are properly stocked, and order fulfilment throughput is maximised.
- Robotic putwall: For batch-picking operations, sorting orders using a putwall and put-to-light system is labour intensive and sometimes wipes out the efficiency gained by batch picking. Automating this process increases the packer efficiency and reduces bottlenecks. Such a system is also perfect for sorting returned items for storage.
- Robotic induction: Sorter induction can be a highly repetitive job. Robotic induction onto unit sorters, AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) sorters, auto baggers, and conveyors helps reduce labour turnover and increase productivity.
- Robotic goods-to-person picking: GTP systems like shuttles, cube storage, and AMRs do a great job of reducing the travel distance and time of your warehouse associates. Convert your goods-to-person system into a goods-to-robot system with autonomous order picking, further increasing your automation-driven efficiency gains.
- Robotic Kitting: Value-added services like kitting and co-packing require a lot of labour. Robotic kitting systems can help you scale your kitting and co-packing operations without adding a lot of labour costs.
Today’s warehouse needs a smart blend of mechanical expertise and innovative IT-led automation. Covariant and L-A-C Logistics Automation are on top of both and know how to combine these two elements into an effective solution that matches customer requirements.
When it comes to increasing warehouse productivity and efficiency in the face of ongoing labour availability challenges, AI Robotics can help automate key parts of your warehouse operations.
