ability to collaborate with human workers reduces the time workers need to spend on these tasks. By handling tasks that are physically demanding or potentially hazardous, such as lifting heavy objects, cobots can reduce the risk of injury. They can also operate continuously without fatigue, ensuring consistent performance while minimizing strain on workers. WMS: The brains of warehouse operations. Warehouse management systems (WMS) continue to add value as the brains of warehouse operations. And, by incorporating technologies like arti cial intelligence and machine learning, a WMS can identify patterns in work execution, so warehouse managers can intelligently redistribute labor, making employees’ workloads more even and ef cient. Ensuring warehouse resources, such as workers, robots, or conveyor systems, take the right actions at the right times has become critical, given the growth in ecommerce orders, which are notoriously unpredictable, along with the demand for next- or same-day delivery. Assume, for instance, a product that was supposed to take off is, instead, languishing, while a different product is moving like gangbusters. Adjusting requires “real-time orchestration” of available resources through the use of sophisticated algorithms, rather than the static plans of the past, Gupta says. Solutions to improve safety. The past 10 years have seen signi cant jumps in technology solutions that can enhance worker safety and protection. These include ergonomic improvements such as exosuits, adjustable pallet stands, training devices, and lift-assist devices. Today’s autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) tend to be better for worker safety than powered industrial vehicles (PIVs) “AGVs are driven by a concrete set of instructions, following predictable paths and making predictable movements,” Grant says. “They have safety sensors that mandate that they travel at x speed when an object is y far
MERCEDES DRIVES PRODUCTIVITY WITH ROBOTS WITH ROBOTS Texas-based
In its quest to roll out humanoid robots, Austin, Texas-based Apptronik says it will collaborate with Mercedes-Benz on “identifying applications for highly advanced robotics in Mercedes-Benz Manufacturing.” The car maker’s goal is to automate low-skill manual labor tasks that tend to be physically demanding and, therefore, hard to sta . These tasks will likely include moving totes or assembly kits to production lines, as well as inspecting parts. The pilot plans to leverage the Apollo ( pictured ), which is Apptronik’s commercial bot that has been purpose-built for mass manufacturing. The company says its humanoid will start in plants and warehouses and eventually extend to other applications, including construction and retail. The Mercedes announcement follows other e orts to combine humanoid robotics with factory objectives. Amazon is testing its Agility Digit bots for warehouse fulfillment tasks, while BMW is partnering with Figure to reportedly use humanoids for assembly work. In many cases, facility design drives the benefits of using the humanoid form factor. Instead of redesigning facilities, equipment, or processes to accommodate a uniquely sized and configured robot, this approach does the opposite: it tailors the automation to the existing environment. To that end, the Apollo should fit right into the existing space at Mercedes-Benz. Apptronik says its bot measures 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighs 160 pounds, and features the ability to lift 55 pounds. existing space measures 5 feet 8 ability to lift Mercedes-Benz on robotics in manual labor therefore, moving totes or inspecting parts. ), which is purpose-built for humanoid will extend to other e orts to objectives. Amazon fulfillment reportedly benefits of using of using facilities, uniquely sized opposite: it environment.
direct workers to, for instance: Pick Shirt A from Location B, scan to make sure it’s the right one, place it in Tote C, and then head to the closest next robot for the next pick. Goods-to-person robotics bring work to the employee, eliminating much of the walking they’d otherwise have to do. “That drives productivity and ef ciency,” Santagate says. Like their robot cousins, cobots, which are designed to work safely alongside humans, can play a crucial role in enhancing ef ciency and safety for warehouse workers, says Michel Spruijt, president of Brain Corp International, an autonomous technology company. By assisting with repetitive and labor- intensive tasks, such as picking and packing, cobots drive ef ciency. Their
Grant, senior innovation manager with Kenco, a third-party logistics provider based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. “While information is power, gathering it has, until recently, been cost-prohibitive due to the expense of purchasing and installing sensors,” he says. Now, however, arti cial intelligence can, for instance, analyze security camera feeds for information related to safety and operations, while mobile robots or drones can patrol routes while monitoring inventory status and housekeeping concerns. Cobots and robots boost worker productivity. Mobile robots can drive worker productivity through a range of approaches. Some include screens that
36 Inbound Logistics • May 2024
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