With autonomous mobile robots, manual labor and human error are reduced, giving way to denser warehouse packing density and enhanced employee-safety.
In a digital-first approach to improving operational efficiency, a transport and logistics service provider in Hong Kong has announced the deployment of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) at its Yuen Long Warehouse Distribution Centre (YLDC).
The initial project AMR deployment features customized storage racks and shelves that do not require aisles in between while parked. This high-density storage buffer allows the logistics firm to maximize its storage capacity for improved customer fulfillment processes.
Furthermore, the robots can be used for locating, tracking, and moving inventory through a method that allows orders to be delivered directly to pick-and-pack stations, eliminating any movement time needed by operators to search for items.
According to Onno Boots, Regional President & CEO (Asia Pacific), GEODIS, the firm in question: “Our investments in this AI-driven automation system brings substantial value to e-commerce and retail customers by addressing some of the key challenges they face today. These solutions not only bring long-term cost-savings, operational efficiencies, and safety, but also enable us to maintain high-quality control standards while providing customers greater speed and flexibility of movement of goods.”
The YLDC will have a section of its premises reserved exclusively for AMR operations via QR coding to guide the robots. In addition to improved real estate utilization, AMR adoption minimizes manual labor and reduces the risk of human error—improving picking accuracy and reducing inventory count errors. The use of AMR will also mitigate some of the challenges brought on by the pandemic, such as social distancing protocols in warehouses.
GEODIS deploys around 250 autonomous mobile robots worldwide.
Lit Fung, VP and Managing Director of Geek+(APAC, UK and Americas), the AMR supplier, said: “We will continue help GEODIS better manage changes in demand, quickly scale in line with business growth, and provide customers with better products and service capabilities.”
