What is warehouse robotics?

Warehouse robotics refers to machines that perform various warehouse operations such as storage, movement, packaging, sorting, and more.

Benefits of warehouse robotics

Warehouse robots provide a wide range of benefits, from increasing process speed and accuracy to maximizing storage density.

Warehouse robotics allows you to:

increase productivity: robots can operate 24/7 without breaks, speeding up order fulfillment
maximize warehouse space: advanced robotic systems, such as automated storage and retrieval systems, can be designed to use vertical space, reducing floor area requirements
improve worker safety: robots reduce the risk of injuries (such as overexertion) by minimizing or even eliminating manual tasks like heavy lifting
ensure scalability: robots can be reprogrammed or repurposed to handle different tasks as warehouse needs evolve
enable fast deployment: warehouse robotics solutions are easy to configure, allowing quick integration into existing facilities
streamline returns: robots can quickly sort and process returned items, reducing the time needed for product exchanges or refunds

Types of warehouse robots

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR)

Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are advanced robots that can navigate through a warehouse without human intervention.

They use technologies such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, and sensors to plan and adjust their routes in real time

Automated guided vehicle (AGV)

AGVs are warehouse robots that follow predefined paths, using a combination of sensors, markers, and lasers for precise navigation and movement

Unlike AMRs, AGVs rely on fixed routes and instructions from warehouse operators to function. They are also less adaptable to unexpected changes in the environment

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS)

AS/RS are software-controlled systems designed to automatically store and retrieve goods from warehouse storage areas

These systems include vertical lift modules, horizontal carousels, shuttles, mini-loaders, and unit-load stacker cranes

Maximum efficiency is achieved when integrated with a warehouse management system (WMS)

Robots for palletizing and depalletizing

Palletizing robots are equipped with a robotic arm and specialized grippers to pick and stack products with high precision, adapting to different sizes and weights

For coordinated movement, these robots use various types of sensors

Depalletizing robots work on the same principle, performing the reverse task of unloading pallets

Sorting robots

Sorting robots use a combination of sensors, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms to accurately identify, categorize, and organize products

Equipped with adaptive grippers and conveyor systems, they can efficiently sort items. This technology not only increases operational efficiency but also reduces human error and labor costs