Types of Warehouse Automation

In the previous article, we have already seen what warehouse automation is. We have also seen various financial benefits that are commonly derived from warehouse automation.

However, it is important to realize that warehouse automation is often considered to be an all or nothing game. However, this is not true. In reality, warehousing automation follows a continuum.

There are various types of warehouse automations which are possible. Retailers can choose amongst the various types of system available after considering their pros and cons. Also, it is not necessary that the most advanced system is the obvious choice for all retailers.

The correct warehouse automation system can be different for different retailers based on multiple factors.

In this article, we will have a closer look at the various types of warehouse automation and how they differ from one another.

1. Physical Automation Vs Process Automation: One of the first distinctions that we need to understand related to warehouse automation is the fact that physical automation of the warehouse is different from the process automation.

   Physical automation refers to the deployment of machinery and physical robots which move the goods from one place to another or perform a certain type of task on them. On the other hand, process automation refers to the automation of information technology related tasks which occur in the warehouse.

   For instance, automation of scheduling, ordering or communicating with customers and vendors can be considered process automation. It needs to be understood that process automation is fairly common across all retailers whereas physical automation is right now deployed only be large retailers. The next few points will explain the various types of physical automation of warehouse tasks.

2. Goods to Person: Goods to person automation works on the simple principle that instead of goods must be mechanically transported to the person who needs to perform a task on them.

   This is opposed to the tradition viewpoint wherein manual labour is used to transport goods within a warehouse. Goods to person automation involves deployment of simple mechanical devices such as conveyor belts, carousels and mechanical lifts.

   Goods to person automation only works with certain degree of human intervention. For instance, the conveyor belt can only circulate the goods in a fixed path. It may need human intervention to load and offload the goods on the belt.

3. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS): Automated storage and retrieval systems are the next generation automation solution as compared to goods to person automation.

   These kinds of systems can operate in more complex warehouses. These systems also follow a fixed path. However, their paths are defined by a computer program and can be changed. The purpose of these systems is to be able to automatically deposit and retrieve goods from a predefined area within a warehouse.

4. Automated Sortation Systems: Automated sortation systems are used to warehouses to segregate different types of goods. These systems are programmed to use RFID codes on the goods and sort them into various categories. These goods can then be stored at different locations within the warehouse.

   This automation is often used in conjunction with the conveyor belt system. This means that the robot is expected to identify different types of goods and place them on different conveyor belts so that they are automatically transported to different places within the warehouse.

5. Voice Picking and Tasking: Voice Picking and tasking are amongst the latest generation of warehouse automation systems. In this system, a human warehouse associate needs to wear a special type of headset which recognizes their voice and takes commands.

   The human associate is then required to give commands such as dictating the item name and mentioning the task, the system is programmed to retrieve the specific item and perform the required task. These systems reduce the manual labour required to hold RFID devices since it works on the basis of voice commands.

6. Autonomous Guided Vehicles: Autonomous guided vehicles are systems which comprise of vehicles which operate on the floor of a warehouse without any human intervention. These vehicles are self-propelled and move on pathways defined by sensors.

   These vehicles may not have a fixed path but their movement is not completely free and is guided by the placement of sensors.

   Autonomous guided vehicles are very useful in warehouses where large loads have to be carried across long distances. However, these machines are not compatible to be deployed in warehouses where there is significant movement of human beings.

7. Autonomous Mobile Robots: Autonomous mobile robots are amongst the most advanced generation of warehouse automation equipment. They are similar to autonomous guided vehicles. However, there is a difference since the movement of these robots is not guided by sensors. Instead, it is guided by GPS technology.

   Also, these robots are equipped with laser and infrared in order to detect human and non-human obstacles and avoid them by changing course. These additional features improve the safety rankings of autonomous mobile robots and make it possible to use them even in crowded warehouses where there is significant movement of human beings.

From the above points, it is quite clear that warehouse automation is not an all or nothing game. There are various degrees of warehouse automation and each of these levels have pros and cons associated with them. Now, since we have already seen the pros of warehouse automation, we will have a look at the cons in the next article.