Automation has been touted as the future of the material handling industry, and at one time the “warehouse of the future” was a lights-out, all-robot workplace. Since the onset of the pandemic, the need for resilient supply chains has re-energized investigation into adding robotics to warehouse operations. However, the shift to eCommerce and increasing demand for fast order fulfillment have created challenges for the distribution industry… especially in light of the current labor shortage.
Once seen as a potential cause of job loss in our industry, how can robotics be paired with human workers for the optimal solution?
HUMANS, OR AUTOMATION? YES.
The correct solution is a seamless combination of the two, combining the strength and speed of robots with the creativity and skill of human workers. It is often thought that robotic automation will eventually take the place of human workers. However, a much more effective transformation would blend robotic and human operations. This would enhance the work environment, preserve jobs, allow more flexibility, and create a safer facility. Not to mention, such a pairing can make distribution faster, cheaper, and safer.
Pursuing excessive automation all on its own has certain drawbacks:
- Expensive to Install
- Time-Consuming to Design
- Time-Consuming to Implement
- Requires Lots of Troubleshooting (both before and after installation)
- Lack of Creative Flexibility
On the other hand, relying solely on human labor isn’t perfect either.
- Risk of Human Error
- Risk of Injury
- Expensive Pay/Time Off
- Low Productivity In Sub-Optimal/Unenriched Conditions
By pursuing a hybrid solution, human workers can tackle tasks that require flexibility or creativity, and robots can accomplish tasks that leverage their ability for repetitive tasks that require speed and strength.
Human-robot collaboration also allows the flexibility required today to meet changing consumer demands for faster fulfillment plus better manage volume fluctuations. Many companies find it challenging to scale up operations during peak season, as seen with recent labor shortages. Today, it is possible to use Robots as a Service (RaaS) to supplement human workers with robots to manage higher order volume.
As consumer demand grows, distribution professionals must consider blending the best of robotics with their human staff to enhance productivity, speed up operations, and create a safer environment.
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Author: IndustrialSage News
Started in 2017, IndustrialSage is a global organization providing original online reporting and video programming across LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more. Our mission is to help industrial/manufacturing professionals be informed with the best information and resources.
