LOGISTICS
Warehouse robotics can do without heat and light More people , Harrison adds , also makes for less efficient workspaces “ because humans can ’ t work effectively with extremely dense storage systems in the same way warehouse robots can ”.
He points out that buying more warehouses , or commissioning expensive new facilities to be built , is neither sustainable nor necessary when flexible warehouse-automation systems can help businesses maximise existing space .
“ Many warehouse automation systems help businesses save significantly on energy bills , while also avoiding unnecessary carbon emissions ,” Harrison says . “ For example , autostore robots use rechargeable batteries and self-generate much of the energy they require .” The total energy usage of ten auto-store robots uses the same energy as the average vacuum cleaner . Harrison also states that the use of flexible automated warehouse storageand-retrieval systems allows businesses to set up warehouse operations in nontraditional environments – such as at the back of an existing high-street store – without compromising on storage density . Such micro fulfilment centres , also known as ‘ dark warehouses ’, can quite literally be run with no lighting .
“ Some warehouse robots can operate in the dark without requiring heating , both of which obviously help reduce energy usage .”
He concludes : “ The other key benefit of opening micro fulfilment centres is that they can be situated in urban centres , much closer to the end customer . This makes last-mile delivery less dependent on road haulage , as customers can pick up orders directly from the micro-fulfilment .
“ CUSTOMER ORDERS ARE LOADED INTO THE DRONE AND DELIVERED RIGHT TO THEIR YARD USING A CABLE THAT GENTLY LOWERS THE PACKAGE ”
DAVID GUGGINA SENIOR VP SUPPLY CHAIN , INNOVATION & AUTOMATION , WALMART
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