Robotic technology in the warehouse: Enable smarter and more cost-effective logistics
29-03-2022 320
To improve space utilization, inventory accuracy, operational and financial efficiency, many warehouses and logistics companies are choosing robot-based sorting and automation solutions.
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Warehouses are at the heart of the supply chain and are vital to e-commerce companies, shipping companies, manufacturers and retailers.
Logistics companies regularly grapple with bottlenecks such as volatility and parcel volume, inflexibility, delivery times and space constraints. When space is limited, every area in the warehouse must be used efficiently.
To improve space utilization, inventory accuracy, operational and financial efficiency, many warehouses and logistics companies are choosing robot-based sorting and automation solutions.
Using robots in warehouses is not a new concept. However, advances in technology make robots intelligent and capable of doing more than just 'lifting heavy objects'. Today's warehouse robots have embedded computer chips, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and are integrated with warehouse automation systems and even the internet. Modern robotic systems are powered by AI-powered software and are capable of efficiently sorting parcels leading to higher productivity. Warehouse automation systems can increase revenue and enable faster ROI.
With workers working in shifts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, robots have taken over and are doing most of the work in the warehouse. Factories are producing hand sanitizers, masks and other essential items. They rely heavily on automation for the production and distribution of these items.

- Repetitive tasks, such as sorting and picking orders, can lead to inaccuracies and errors if done entirely by humans. Warehouse automation systems and robotic systems do not suffer from these human traits and can operate for hours, with higher sorting accuracy.
- Selecting goods can account for 50% or more of warehouse labor costs, especially for large warehouses. This task can be accomplished by automated sorting and picking systems to reduce labor costs and reduce workplace injuries.
Humans can focus on more complex processes, such as inventory management, order management, shipping, labeling, packaging, and posting of goods.
- Autonomous Vehicles (AGVs): These are mobile robots used on warehouse floors. Some AGVs follow a magnetic path to move around. They are controlled by a computer integrated with a warehouse management system or WMS. Modern warehouses have robotic transporters that automatically move in aisles to move goods - without operator supervision.
AGV brings many times more benefits such as reducing labor costs, improving efficiency, minimizing handling errors and speeding up the movement of goods in the warehouse and throughout the supply chain.
- Automated Mobile Robots (AMR): They are smaller than AGVs and can identify information on a package for accurate classification. Unlike AGVs, they do not require a magnetic track to guide them around the warehouse. Instead, Mobile Robots rely on computers, maps, and onboard sensors to guide their movements along predefined routes. And can avoid the obstacles on the robot's path and change direction automatically.
- Automatic Sorting Systems: These systems use a cross belt and sorter to drop products into the desired arrangement through the tray using gravity. The automatic sorting system is unique because the sorting trays are not connected and are moved through the system asynchronously on the conveyor instead of synchronously on a continuous line. This distinction offers several advantages over synchronous type warehouse classification systems.
- Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): These systems are used to move inventory in and out of the warehouse and are controlled by warehouse execution software. AS/RS is available in different forms depending on the type of task, the system required or the variety of goods. They act as a shuttle on a fixed route or as a loading crane between aisles.
- Drones use optical sensors and GPS guidance systems to navigate inside the warehouse or outside. They can reach hard to reach places in the warehouse to get goods.
Logistics companies regularly grapple with bottlenecks such as volatility and parcel volume, inflexibility, delivery times and space constraints. When space is limited, every area in the warehouse must be used efficiently.
To improve space utilization, inventory accuracy, operational and financial efficiency, many warehouses and logistics companies are choosing robot-based sorting and automation solutions.
Empowering robots
Using robots in warehouses is not a new concept. However, advances in technology make robots intelligent and capable of doing more than just 'lifting heavy objects'. Today's warehouse robots have embedded computer chips, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and are integrated with warehouse automation systems and even the internet. Modern robotic systems are powered by AI-powered software and are capable of efficiently sorting parcels leading to higher productivity. Warehouse automation systems can increase revenue and enable faster ROI.
With workers working in shifts due to the Covid-19 pandemic, robots have taken over and are doing most of the work in the warehouse. Factories are producing hand sanitizers, masks and other essential items. They rely heavily on automation for the production and distribution of these items.

How Robotics solutions improve warehouse efficiency
- Repetitive tasks, such as sorting and picking orders, can lead to inaccuracies and errors if done entirely by humans. Warehouse automation systems and robotic systems do not suffer from these human traits and can operate for hours, with higher sorting accuracy.
- Selecting goods can account for 50% or more of warehouse labor costs, especially for large warehouses. This task can be accomplished by automated sorting and picking systems to reduce labor costs and reduce workplace injuries.
Humans can focus on more complex processes, such as inventory management, order management, shipping, labeling, packaging, and posting of goods.
Here are some examples of robotic solutions used in warehouses:
- Autonomous Vehicles (AGVs): These are mobile robots used on warehouse floors. Some AGVs follow a magnetic path to move around. They are controlled by a computer integrated with a warehouse management system or WMS. Modern warehouses have robotic transporters that automatically move in aisles to move goods - without operator supervision.
AGV brings many times more benefits such as reducing labor costs, improving efficiency, minimizing handling errors and speeding up the movement of goods in the warehouse and throughout the supply chain.
- Automated Mobile Robots (AMR): They are smaller than AGVs and can identify information on a package for accurate classification. Unlike AGVs, they do not require a magnetic track to guide them around the warehouse. Instead, Mobile Robots rely on computers, maps, and onboard sensors to guide their movements along predefined routes. And can avoid the obstacles on the robot's path and change direction automatically.
- Automatic Sorting Systems: These systems use a cross belt and sorter to drop products into the desired arrangement through the tray using gravity. The automatic sorting system is unique because the sorting trays are not connected and are moved through the system asynchronously on the conveyor instead of synchronously on a continuous line. This distinction offers several advantages over synchronous type warehouse classification systems.
- Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): These systems are used to move inventory in and out of the warehouse and are controlled by warehouse execution software. AS/RS is available in different forms depending on the type of task, the system required or the variety of goods. They act as a shuttle on a fixed route or as a loading crane between aisles.
- Drones use optical sensors and GPS guidance systems to navigate inside the warehouse or outside. They can reach hard to reach places in the warehouse to get goods.