With automation in place, warehouse managers spend less time handling personnel issues—hiring, training, managing temps, job assignments. They spend more time overseeing strategy, operations, and inventory flow. INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY AND ACCURACY It’s commonly said that about 90% of today’s warehouses still run manually with minimal technology. Traditionally, only big corporations operating multiple giant warehouses had the capital to implement automation solutions. Today, robotics is more accessible to businesses of all sizes. Robots are mobile and flexible, and have a faster time to value (or ROI). They are also commonly offered through robotics-as-a-service (RaaS) business models, which allows businesses to pay for robotics services as an operating expenditure vs. making capital equipment purchases. Warehouses operating with robots can see a 5-10x increase in productivity levels. While AMRs are left to handle rote and arduous tasks, workers are free to work in bursts and on a variety of tasks. These tasks, such as quality control, packout, or managing new stock, can be more stimulating. AMRs also offer the benefit of improved accuracy. As orders increase, so do the chances for human errors. Robots operate with machine precision and are programmed with AI software to pick only the specified item(s), in the right location and within the right quantities. The benefits of warehouse automation are clear. Autonomous robots save warehouse workers from injury and harm, while also helping managers fill holes on their teams. AMRs enable businesses to meet the demands of consumers with increased precision and quality control. As we face a crisis within supply chains, autonomous solutions are key to restoring health to our economy. – Lior Elazary, Co-founder andCEO, inVia Robotics
The pandemic created a lot of inequality. Some industries were hit with sharp declines or even halts to their business, leading to layoffs, pay cuts, and ceased operations. Others experienced crushing demands that left them without enough labor. As the world revs back up, businesses are still trying to adjust, especially within the shipping and logistics sectors. Because of the surge in e-commerce, warehouse workforces are being stretched like never before. On top of a national labor shortage, one in three employees is unwilling to do work that requires them to be on-site full- time. Warehouse workers, specifically, are tired of walking 5-10 miles daily and often suffering from degenerative musculoskeletal injuries. To address these problems, the industry is embracing automation. Why? Automation can help warehouses become more efficient in their order fulfillment processes—from picking to replenishing, counting inventory, and more. And for those who haven’t begun adopting automation, the question is not if but when? Here’s how autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) can supplement workforces while boosting overall productivity. WORKFORCE AUGMENTATION Workers and managers both gain from warehouse automation. It’s a common misconception that robots are here to replace workers when the truth is that they are here to help them. Warehouse employees spend up to 50% of their day retrieving goods. This includes walking up and down aisles or lifting inventory off shelves for fulfillment. This excessive manual labor ends up leaving many employees with leg and knee injuries and rapid rates of burnout. AMRs mitigate these issues by autonomously executing most of the walking, reaching, and lifting tasks. Employees can then spend time on higher-order tasks that require decision- making and problem-solving skills.
February 2022 • Inbound Logistics 37
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