AI-powered Robots Have Become Nice To Necessity For Warehousing AutomationAI-powered robots are based on the principles of human intelligence are defined as the way in which machines imitate human intelligence to perform simple and complex tasks

BySangeet Kumar

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Pexels

Robots have come a long way from their origination to today where they are capable of doing almost any task. Robotics technology has changed the picture of the current world. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has come a long way, and now robots are more evolved than ever. AI-powered robots are based on the principles of human intelligence are defined as the way in which machines imitate human intelligence to perform simple and complex tasks.

Like in any other industry, AI-powered robots have become an essential part of the warehousing industry as well. Earlier robots were only capable of performing repetitive tasks such as moving pallets along predetermined paths, with the possibility of a small detour to avoid obstructions. The new robots may travel autonomously automating almost every activity in a natural environment handling goods of various sizes and shapes.

With the increasing penetration of internet and the boom of e-commerce industry, businesses start investing in the automation, which only got accelerated exponentially with the onset of COVID-19 pandemic. Now, integrated automation became a must to meet the supply chain challenges, demand fluctuations, SKU proliferation, and the delivery requirements.

AI enables warehouse automation through AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robots), grippers, and bin-picking systems to function more efficiently than ever. Many factors are responsible for pushing AI-powered warehousing automation:

Repetitive operations:No doubt the operations in warehouses are monotonous in nature, and advanced robots are required across warehouses to perform such tasks. AI-enabled robots are very effective for such operations as they help in sorting, picking and putting the products in their designated place. Also, inventory management can be maintained easily through intelligent software behind such robots.

High labour costs:劳动力成本的主要成本驱动程序dustry. in order to reduce labour costs, combat competition, provide quick delivery and meet increased consumer demand, warehouse automation is the best solution. Also, contrary to operations on a manufacturing floor or in the automotive industry, the majority of tasks in a warehouse are fault tolerant. Robots are able to retry if they mistakenly drop something in a warehouse as long as they can do so quickly and successfully without destroying the products.

To make supply chain robust:Supply chains have been drastically affected globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as the workforce availability was a challenge. So, to avoid such contingencies in future, robots offer a great solution by bridging the labour shortage gap. They are programmed to perform repetitive tasks so that humans can focus on more valued tasks. AI-powered robots have given an additional advantage in performing repetitive tasks with more precision.

To ensure workplace safety:Robots can be used for automating the labour-intensive tasks thereby increasing the workplace safety, as well as productivity. Monotonous tasks cause fatigue, both mental and physical, in labour force leading to reduced productivity. AI-enabled robots help in reducing the mental strain by reducing the chances of errors so that workers can focus on more fruitful tasks.

A robotics-driven future in warehouse management:As businesses explore ways to increase operational efficiency and productivity, artificial intelligence will continue to push the envelope of robotic deployment in warehouses, and warehouse management and AI will become more closely related. Supply chain executives need to consider the limitations of operational effectiveness in warehouses and address them with the potential of warehouse automation using robotics and artificial intelligence.

Sangeet Kumar

Co-founder & CEO, Addverb Technologies

Related Topics

Women Entrepreneur™

The Woman who Designed World's Largest Office Building

Her approach towards creativity is inspired by the evolutionary processes in nature and her belief in sustainability shapes all her projects.

Operations & Logistics

A Costco Gold Star Membership and $30 Digital Costco Shop Card for $60

Start saving money on your office supplies.

Living

I Tried the Semi-Private Air Carrier That Lets You Arrive 20 Minutes Before Your Flight. Here's What It Was Like — And How to Do It Affordably.

"There's a reason people pay 10 to 100 times more to fly privately than to fly commercially. You just want to save time, right? It's not about Champagne and caviar."

领导

You Can Unleash Your Leadership Potential Through Executive Coaching. Here's How.

My business was dramatically changed for the better thanks to an executive coach, and yours can be, too.

Business News

Meta Is Paying the Celebrity Faces Behind Its AI Chatbots as Much as $5 Million for 6 Hours of Work, Report Says

One unnamed top creator was paid $5 million for six hours of work, according to The Information.

Technology

How Infosys Is Using Generative AI For Growth

The growing adoption of our Generative AI offering, Topaz, is helping us deliver consistent value and expand market share, says Salil Parekh, CEO and MD, Infosys in the Q2 results