Robotics in Logistics: How Distribution is Changing
What is robotics in logistics?
One of the trends that is steadily advancing but less talked about is the application of robotics and artificial intelligence to logistics and transport. The business change that this application brings with it is quite large, with positive consequences for some and negative consequences for others. Before this scenario becomes more mainstream, companies and manufacturers have to become familiar with robotics and machine learning.
The different between traditional machinery and industrial robots is that the latter are associated with artificial intelligence systems that allow them to handle more complex variables and react quickly and independently by means of algorithms.To get more news about Logistics Robotics, you can visit glprobotics.com official website.
That is to say, compared with a robotic arm in a conventional production line, a smart logistics robot can learn new tasks and execute them to cover things that needed human assistance up until now. Industrial robots also help to support manual work, streamlining processes.
It is true that robots that work in logistics with algorithms based on artificial intelligence are still expensive and can cost around €100,000 per unit. The cost per hour of a worker continues to be less than the investment needed for a robot, but a robot gives a better ROI over the medium term.
In addition, prices will fall more as the technology becomes more widespread and affordable. For example, in 2010 the PR2 robot from the Willow Garage company cost 400,000 dollars, while in 2015 the Baxter robot from Rethink Robotics had a cost of 22,000 dollars.
The development of robotics applied to logistics in Europe and the United States would favor industries and keep jobs in these areas while reducing dependence on Asian technology, especially from Japan, China, and Korea.These are the robots that are the easiest to spot: arms that can pick up products, close and seal boxes, and move packages from one shelf to another.
This type of machinery has been the most used until now and it is not difficult to find it in many companies, specially from the automobile industry. What makes these robots different from conventional machinery is that they can tackle more complex tasks, apply analytics at the same time, and assist workers doing repetitive jobs like managing orders or arranging pallets.
Drones are, without a doubt, the warehouse management robots that come to mind if we speak of the future and artificial intelligence.
A drone is a robot that can fly and carry a limited amount of weight, transport units, and reach difficult-to-access areas (this includes geographic areas, like isolated villages, and deep shelves or places that are higher in a warehouse).
There are different types of drones that can be more or less powerful depending on their antennas and battery for autonomous functioning.Reading products with RFID tags is more complete than using a conventional barcode as RFID tags have more information. A drone with a RFID system can identify products in a warehouse and provide better control over locating and transferring units and inventory.
A drone with a RFID system can read thousands of labels in very little time when compared with a person doing the task manually. In addition, this information is immediately sent to the desired device, allowing for full control and connectivity between the robot and the manager.