With the rapid surge in e-commerce, getting products from manufacturers or warehouses to customers has been a tremendous challenge for logistics firms. According to research, 80% of current warehouses are run manually with no enabling automation. Even though advanced technology is still used only in 20% of the world's warehouses, Tractica predicts that annual warehousing and logistics unit shipments using automation and robotics will rise from 40,000 in 2016 to 620,000 annually in 2021.
The increase in e-commerce sales would necessitate hiring many new workers to handle package deliveries. Automation and robotics in logistics have much more significant uptime than manual labour, boosting productivity in a wide range of technical environments. Using robots in logistics saves companies up to 70% on warehouse labour costs and allows them to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Let us have a glimpse at the future of logistics, from shipping to fulfillment to end-delivery.
● The automated trucks and ships are being tested with sensors, lasers, and GPS systems, which will lead to high efficiencies and cost savings. They will follow the shortest path, reducing distribution times around the clock. Furthermore, humans may no longer be needed on the road or at sea. Instead, their responsibilities will become more professional as they supervise navigation from a tracking facility thousands of miles away.
● Drones designed to distribute packages to consumers can significantly improve end-delivery logistics. They will not only be able to supply goods quicker, but they may also be able to do so at a lower rate.
● Many start-ups are using emerging technology similar to those found in self-driving vehicles, such as cameras, machine vision technologies, and GPS systems, to help them traverse city environments. These robots have the potential to have a huge impact, allowing packages to be shipped at a fraction of the cost and reducing environmental impact thanks to their robust, green systems.
When it comes to logistics, the application of automation and robotics technologies can result in large-scale transformation and profits. Companies see improved efficiencies and cost savings as automation takes up more of the supply chain while consumers are experiencing a smoother service and quicker shipping times. Automation and robotics in logistics are no longer the subjects of science fiction novels. They've evolved and are starting to take shape. While there are many obstacles, the most financially feasible option for many logistics firms in the modern market is for robotics to operate in combination with humans. The human serves as the manipulator while the computer knows the optimization and can provide practical assistance. Looking forward, and taking labour supply and expense into account, many companies could expect a fully autonomous robot with humans acting as coordinators. Workplace dynamics are transforming. Businesses that need more workforce behind the scenes would look towards these technological advancements to make their operations more efficient and effective.