From Goods-to-Person Technologies to Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), warehouse robots serve a wide variety of purposes and functions today. Order picking and packaging, transporting inventory between storage areas, and handling repetitive tasks are just some of the ways robots are integrated into warehouse workflows.
Forecasts expect the market for mobile robots to grow up to $334 billion between 2032 and 2042, while the AGV/AMR market size will reach more than $18 billion by 2027. Robots could support industry decision-makers in facing challenges such as adapting to new variables and obstacles, navigating in dynamic environments, item manipulation, costs and ROI, rigidity, customization, scalability, integration, and many more.
Warehouse leaders – planning to invest in robots
The growing demand for efficiency, accuracy and speed determines warehouse decision-makers to reshape their operational strategies. A study conducted by Zebra Technologies* shows that 37% of warehouse leaders struggle with innovating with technology and intelligent automation, 33% with achieving end-to-end visibility, and 32% with forecasting the right level of inventory. To respond to these challenges, leaders plan to accelerate timelines of modernization projects (73%) and increase funding for warehouse modernization plans (69%).
According to the same study, 90% of warehouse leaders are eager to prioritize labor optimization and streamline processes in 2024. The respondents have also shown interest in investing in emergent technologies during the current year, including visibility across the supply chain (91%), supplier management (91%), digital twin technology (89%), and robotics (87%).
As robots continue to be adopted as a solution to improving warehouse operations, we have prepared a selection that has revolutionized the sector up to this moment.
*The study was administered online and included over 1,400 global warehouse decision-makers and associates across manufacturing, retail, transportation, logistics, and wholesale distribution organizations.
5 robot solutions to implement in your warehouse
1. The GRIPP by Inther Group
Built by Inther Group, the long-term partner of ISD, the GRIPP stands for Gantry Robotic Intelligent Piece Picker. It is a top-notch, fully automatic robot picker that provides a small, efficient, and easy-to-use solution for order picking. Additionally, it can handle up to 1,200 pieces every hour, boosting order picking speed without requiring manual work.
The GRIPP is a unique solution in the market that addresses the growing demand for efficient and fast order picking solutions. Able to operate 24/7, the GRIPP is fully automatic, reducing the need for personnel involved in the process. It picks quickly and accurately while also handling fragile products.
2. Robotic Sorting by Prime Vision
To create a flexible and future-proof sorting center, Prime Vision, one of our long-term clients, designed Robotic Sorting. The solution allows you to transform conventional sorting centers into dynamic and adaptable facilities. Instead of relying on static chutes, future sorting centers leverage intelligent robots that autonomously determine the sorting process for parcels.
3. PickMate by System Logistics
PickMate, developed by another customer collaborating with ISD, provides an optimal solution for automating food and beverage picking processes with up to 1000 SKUs (stock keeping units) and numerous repetitive orders. Leveraging sophisticated vision technology, PickMate delegates package management tasks to a robot, enabling seamless handling and manipulation of various package types, from source pallets to order pallets.
4. IRB 930 SCARA robot by ABB
ABB Robotics has expanded its industrial SCARA robot lineup with the IRB 930, available in three variants capable of handling payloads of 12 kg and 22 kg. The IRB 930, designed for fast point-to-point tasks with high payloads and large work areas, offers three variants with the highest payload capacity in its class. The 22 kg variant increases throughput by 10%, while providing a 200% boost in push-down strength (up to 250N), making it ideal for force-intensive operations like screw-driving and assembly tasks involving components like battery cells and display panels.
5. Digit by Agility Robotics
Digit is the first human-centric, multi-purpose robot designed to function as a “robotic co-worker”. It is capable of navigating warehouses and factories, adeptly maneuvering through steps and compact spaces.
Digit can handle repetitive tasks and adapt to many different workflows. It can carry packages up to 16 kg, operate for to 16 out of 24 hours, and connects itself to the station when it needs charging. Being the size and shape of a human, Digit is easy to integrate into spaces intended for people without requiring expensive retrofitting.
Digit is already used in Amazon’s warehouses to assist employees, support workplace safety, and deliver to customers faster.
In 2023, Agility Robotics opened the first humanoid robot factory in Oregon, USA, aiming to produce up to 10,000 units a year.
As warehouse robots revolutionize processes and operations, we are proud of the collaborations we have with Inther Group, Prime Vision, and System Logistics, based on Software Development, PLC Automation, and Mechanical Engineering services.
Are you currently using or planning to use robots in your warehouse? How have they improved workflow efficiency? Alternatively, what are your expectations from including robots in your warehouse modernization plans?