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WAREHOUSING, HANDLING & STORAGE


requires a complete process redesign and is accompanied by a clear loss of flexibility. This is all the more problematic because there


are activities in warehouse logistics that push robots to their limits or even pose unsolvable problems. This can include checking goods for damage or sorting goods according to specific criteria. A human worker’s spontaneity, ability to learn, and ability to collaborate make human labour indispensable in this regard. As industry managers gain insights into these


challenges, they’re realising that the potential for optimising the interaction between employees and technology is much greater than previously thought. Ensuring that humans and technology complement each other in the form of collaborative automation or collabomation is a key focus. But how can this collaboration be achieved? Examples of ways to achieve this include Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and collaborative robots (Cobots). The idea of cobots is no longer a foreign


concept in the industry. These collaborative robots are designed to work directly with people. Their purpose is to provide relief for human workers as they save travel time in the warehouse, carry loads and help with storage and retrieval. Cobots can usually be


implemented very quickly. In particular, they provide support in common picking scenarios such as single and multi-order picking, batch picking, pick & pass or pick & pack.


INTERFACE PROBLEMS WITH COBOTS: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS THAT UTILISE WEARABLE BARCODE SCANNERS Despite advancements, interface problems remain as cobots are not entirely autonomous systems. They require interactions with people who must document and acknowledge activities and process steps. Barcodes and the associated scanners are used almost entirely. Of course, the manufacturers of cobots also install scanners in their devices themselves. However, in doing so, they restrict the employee’s flexibility and freedom of movement. This is even more significant when conventional barcode scanners are used, as such scanners do not provide any room for movement when they are permanently mounted. Therefore, it makes sense to consider another solution. For example, wearable barcode scanners have the advantage of always keeping the worker's hands free. Depending on the environment, up to six seconds can be saved per scan. Wearable barcode scanners are easy to implement and can also be rolled out in areas


where cobots may not be used. For example, when receiving goods, shipping, or making products available. These wearables connect workers on site to


the Internet of Things (IoT). If they are also equipped with the appropriate sensors, they can provide a variety of extremely useful transaction data. These allow user companies to better coordinate and orchestrate the processes and traffic in their factory halls. This not only provides relief but also increases throughput and minimises common errors. The numbers speak for themselves. More than half (56 per cent) of companies in the warehousing and logistics industry are already using wearables to improve efficiency. ProGlove's study also shows that 42 per cent of respondents are confident they will invest in industrial wearables to improve their warehouse operations in the next five years. Full automation, on the other hand, is only a priority for 30.6 per cent. In the end, as is often the case in life, it is a


question of proportion. There is no way around automation. But we need people, too! Both have to mesh together. Collabomation is an approach that can lead the way.


ProGlove proglove.com


FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | APRIL 2024 17


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