Distribution warehouses bear a great deal of responsibility these days because of the direct impact their operations have on the customer experience. There is a far greater likelihood that the business will be profitable when its logistics are efficiently planned and flow together quickly.

However, how can we aim for productivity, flexibility, and efficiency to meet the needs of a market that is expanding all the time? The solution is found in robotic automation, which is the topic we will discuss in this article.

Read also: Top 10 Practical Supply Chain Management Tips for Businesses

The Importance of Robotic Automation for Your Warehouse

Robotic automation is the process of substituting manual labor with a set of robots and software that can reduce prolonged and repetitive work while saving time, minimizing errors, and increasing supply chain productivity.

Furthermore, the warehouse can carry out procedures more quickly and effectively because of robotic automation. Because of its improved stock storage techniques, increased flexibility, and efficient management, the company can easily handle the surge in orders and always adjusts to meet demand.

The incorporation of workers and group activities is another way that robotic automation transforms warehouses. Prioritizing tasks and assigning personnel to essential duties, like quality assurance and customer support, is feasible with automated systems. Therefore, the integration of technology, robotics, and manual labor in warehouses is essential to providing increasingly better services, boosting competition, and boosting corporate profitability.

Top 9 Technology Trends for Your Warehouse

Thus far, it has become evident that e-commerce is on the rise, and that businesses must quickly adapt if they hope to establish a strong market position, win over customers, and achieve positive outcomes. In the upcoming years, where do you see your company going? While expansion, financial gain, and reach are admirable objectives, they necessitate tenacity and, most importantly, solid tactics.

The top businesses in the industry are already utilizing some of the major robotic automation ideas listed below, which you may implement in your warehouse to spur growth in 2023. Take a look at it:

1. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

The days of thinking that robots were exclusive to dystopias, alternate realities, and futuristic worlds are long gone. They have even gained room in household tasks and are now more than necessary.

Robots are a reality in warehouses as well; in nations like South Korea, Singapore, and Japan, for instance, they are crucial to the growth and productivity of the sector. AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots) will be used in logistics operations by 15% of the global market by 2025, according to research conducted by LogisticsIQ’s Warehouse Automation Market.

One of the biggest benefits of autonomous mobile robots is that they can function autonomously throughout the warehouse, meaning they don’t require human guidance.

Bonus tip: The investment may be substantial because this is a relatively new technology in the context of many warehouses. But, you can also rent AMRs; that is, buy a license for use (RaaS mode, Robotics as a Service), test them out in your warehouse’s robotic automation plan, and determine whether or not it’s worth the financial commitment.

2. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)

The goal of automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) is to make it easier to move inventory in and out of stock, particularly during periods of high demand.

This automation, which is computer-controlled, gives real-time information on everything that happens in the inventory. This removes the need for labor-intensive human checking and allows for the minimization of assumptions regarding stock items and the assurance of product integrity.

These kinds of systems can also maximize both horizontal and vertical inventory areas, utilizing the whole installation space to guarantee optimal inventory control and operational efficiency.

3. Internet of Things (IoT)

The word of the future for logistics is integration, and the Internet of Things, or IoT, is one of the robotic automation technologies that enables communication between the network of physical items, sensors, and software.

Leading companies in the market and technology employ the Internet of Things. Its primary goal is to network things—gadgets, sensors, and systems—that can communicate with one another, process data gathered from all warehouse operations, and create intelligence throughout the supply chain.

Connectivity between machinery and gadgets provides the following benefits:

• quick identification of mistakes, failures, and ineffective procedures.
• the ability to work through an issue and track its resolution in real-time.
• optimizing workflow productivity and operational outcomes.
• preserving resources, including cash and time.
• acquiring useful and effective storage.
• remote upkeep of every piece of inventory equipment.
• increased protection of industrial operations and data.

4. Big Data and Analytics

How much data is produced every day by your warehouse? Apart from the internal operations, which include order receipt, storage, shipping, activity recording, and sales reports, your business also produces an extensive amount of external data every day, including market data, customer profiles, and product preferences.

All of this historical data offers insightful information that can be used to increase efficiency as well as a company’s growth and profitability. Where this info is going is still a mystery.

Big Data is one of the most utilized resources in robotic automation logistics. Large-scale information retention and critical analysis are necessary for a warehouse to operate at peak efficiency. Inventory may be tracked and monitored using this technology both outside and inside the supply chain. Making decisions for the future of the company that are more aggressive and unambiguous requires careful consideration and analysis of this data.

5. Collaborative Robots (COBOTS)

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are another trend in robotic automation that is gaining traction in logistics warehouses. Cobots are robots designed primarily for human-to-human interaction in the workplace.

This collaboration is successful because collaborative robots can carry out jobs that need a lot of physical labor, endanger workers, or even simple, repetitive chores. In this manner, the human team can be assigned more specialized tasks that are crucial to the business plan and improve logistics efficiency.

The primary benefits of using cobots for warehouse automation include uninterrupted operation of procedures; scheduling of autonomous activities for twenty-four hours a day; decreased hazards and harm to workers’ health; shorter job completion times; and increased productivity.

6. Voice Picking

Voice-picking systems sometimes referred to as pick-by-voice or voice-directed systems, help staff by providing instructions and speech commands. This makes warehouse operations safer and less error-prone.

The voice-picking system often turns picking orders that have already been sent by the system into spoken alerts by integrating with a WMS management system. In this manner, the worker puts on headphones and listens to the chores that need to be completed. Then, it can be answered by voice as well, depending on whether or not a task was completed.

This technology reduces communication noise and breakdowns across operating procedures, increases team security, and speeds up production in the warehouse.

7. Wearables

Wearable technology and augmented reality are examples of the robotic automation trend that has gained traction in the logistics industry. This equipment can help with staff performance, warehousing, and data collection.

With the use of a device—smart glasses, smartphones, augmented reality glasses, watches, rings, helmets, and more—it is possible to see the work environment with an additional layer of information projected into the visual field. This allows employees to perform tasks like stock storage, order picking, and dispatch more quickly and efficiently.

8. Smart Layouts with Automated Shelving

The entire internal and external environment of a distribution center is included in the warehouse layout, and each of these areas must be thoughtfully planned with an eye toward continuously enhancing the supply chain’s efficiency and output.

Automated shelves are one example of a technology that many businesses have already embraced to improve inventory management, data flow, and layout. Through the implementation of creative systems for product distribution, businesses can maximize floor area, improve inventory management, and save labor costs.

9. Drones

Drones are being used in many various industry segments, such as delivery services, and have become quite popular in recent years. Their ability to fly can be a tremendous ally in logistics and robotic warehouse automation, enabling tasks like inventory checks, pallet scanning, and space mapping.

These devices provide real-time notification capabilities, can share data in the cloud, and are simple to integrate with management systems (WMS). Additionally, they are agile in the process because drones can scan 200–400 pallets in an hour.

Prepare your logistics for the challenges of the future

You read this text to learn about some of the major robotic automation trends that will shape the next few years for warehouses looking to grow and fulfill the demands of an ever-expanding market.

It takes study, strategy, and great partners who know your firm’s objectives and priorities to comprehend and select the ideal robotic automation for your business model. You can get logistical solutions at 3PL Links that have improved several market niches and allowed for higher production and better competitiveness.

Learn about our warehousing, supply chain, and logistics solutions! Contact us right now to achieve fantastic outcomes.