What is warehouse automation

Warehouse automation streamlines inventory movement with minimal human intervention, and reduces labor-intensive tasks. For instance, autonomous mobile robots assist in moving packages, enhancing efficiency, speed, and accuracy. Automation extends beyond physical robotics and often involves software to replace manual tasks. This collaborative approach between robots and humans optimizes repetitive processes while minimizing fatigue and injury.

Warehouse automation utilizes software, robotics, and sensors to automate tasks, as well as tools like inventory management software. It enhances critical operations, driven by a warehouse management system (WMS), automating manual processes, data capture, and inventory control. With other solutions, WMS efficiently manages and automates tasks across diverse business and supply chain functions.

Diverse warehouse automation types leverage various technologies to minimize manual tasks and accelerate processes from receiving to shipping.

Types of warehouse automation:

• Goods-to-person (GTP) technology fulfillment utilizes conveyors, carousels, and vertical lift systems. It is highly effective for enhancing efficiency and alleviating congestion in warehouses, and it can potentially double or triple picking speeds.
• Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) employ material-carrying vehicles, tote shuttles, and mini-loaders to streamline material storage and retrieval. AS/RS is particularly favored in high-volume warehouses with space constraints.
• With limited computing power, automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) navigate via magnetic strips, wires, or sensors in fixed paths within warehouses. Ideal for large, simple layouts, AGVs aren't suitable for complex warehouses with human traffic and space limitations.
• Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) utilize GPS systems to create effective routes through a specific warehouse. The system uses advanced laser guidance systems for obstacle detection, enabling safe navigation in dynamic environments with human traffic; they are quick to implement and easily programmable with routes.
• Pick-to-light and put-to-light systems utilize mobile barcode scanners synchronized with digital light displays, guiding warehouse pickers to find the location of selected items. These systems significantly cut walking and searching time in high-volume scenarios while minimizing human errors.
• Voice picking and tasking, or pick-by-voice, employs speech recognition software and mobile headsets to direct warehouse workers in optimized pick paths for product retrieval or storage. This eliminates handheld devices, enhancing safety and efficiency as pickers focus on their tasks.
• Automated sortation systems employ RFID, barcode scanners, and sensors to identify items on conveyor systems and divert them to specific warehouse locations. These systems play a crucial role in order fulfillment, covering receiving, picking, packing, and shipping processes.