The manufacturing world is no stranger to technological transformations. Robotics is one such transition that has been in the works for decades and is coming into its own. It is yielding higher revenue and drastically reducing costs for firms globally.
Warehouse robotics essentially involves using state-of-the-art automated systems, robotic machines, and software for executing routine, run-of-the-mill tasks in the warehouse. Once looked at with much skepticism, these robotic elements have risen to a position where companies insist on them being an inextricable part of the supply chain.
The larger question that many Indian companies remain unconvinced about is the possible benefit that will accrue to their bottom line by using robotics. Well, without further ado, here’s how your firm stands to benefit with the aid of robotics:
Heightened worker safety
First and foremost, workers’ safety can be taken care of in adequate and substantial measures by installing robots that can perform tasks that pose a danger to a worker’s life and limb. This will also help entrepreneurs avoid taxing lawsuits where workers demand hefty compensation from the firm.
A perpetual workforce suited to your needs
Workforce flow is never consistent. Sometimes, casual workers are available for highly competitive daily wages, and sometimes companies are falling over each other trying to hire workers from a limited pool. With the introduction of robotics in the warehouse, one can bid a definite goodbye to these workforce fluctuations. The workforce could then be segregated into a small bank of permanently-employed laborers and robotics. By embracing manual and robotic working- a warehouse can calibrate output as per the demand matrix.
Reduced margin of error
It is beyond contesting that robots are miles ahead in efficiency and efficacy. With robotics at work in your warehouse, chances of malfunctioning or misalignment in your goods come down exponentially.
Use cases
1. Picking
This feature is immensely useful in storehouses and transit points of e-commerce companies. It is one of the most common operations on the e-commerce factory floors and is quite error-prone when humans are involved. On the other hand, Robotics work at an accelerated pace, and error levels are known to be next to zero.
2. Packaging
When performed by humans, packaging erodes productivity levels and leads to unpardonable time consumption. The same workforce could be better employed in operations that require manual intervention and intelligence. Robotic processes can automatically understand the weight and dimensions of the product and pack it accordingly.
3. 
Transportation
A worker running around across the length and breadth of the warehouse is prone to exhaustion, errors, and thus, lower productivity. Robotic systems such as monorails, assembly lines, conveyor belts, and auto-guided vehicles (AGV), on the other hand, can conserve workers’ energy, reduce employee costs and keep the supply chains running smoothly.
Rucha Yantra’s AGVs simplify transportation across several warehouses by automating the pick-and-drop. Our product range has tugger and unit load type AGVS (RAGHAV), low height tunnel type AGVs (VAMEN), and human-guided load carriers (SAEVK). These smart AGVs are being made smarter with many upcoming Industry 4.0 features such as performance monitoring modules, auto loading-unloading accessories, and wireless charging systems (check out our AGVs https://yantrallp.com/yantraAllProducts.php).
Sorting
Sorting might look like a job better suited for humans considering the element of discernment and discrimination involved. However, with the help of robotic arms, cameras, sensors, and AI-powered software, warehouse robots are now at a stage where they can classify goods or orders based on whatever parameter is fed into the software, be it a geographical destination, or quality, quantity or size.
The evolution of robotics in the warehouse
Several factors have driven robotics to a promising new frontier of warehousing possibilities in the last decade. New warehouse robotics machines are now equipped with AI and machine learning. They can safely boast superior response capabilities powered by premium sensors and are adequately digitized to work seamlessly with warehouse inventory management software.
There is a cost burden to installing robotics for the first time. However, when done intelligently, robotics can be harmoniously integrated to deliver a consistently superior and error-free product to the customer and an improved bottom line for the company.
Stay tuned to our Knowledge Corner as we try to understand the different types of robotic warehouse systems.
