Army of logistics robots sort out 200,000 packages a day.

Logistics robots are changing the game in supply chain. Robots continue to evolve and getting more efficient and smarter. Disruptive innovation will be happening throughout all industries.

Types of Logistics Robots

The logistics industry is experiencing a significant transformation with the rapidly growing adoption of robotics. Here’s an overview of the different types of logistics robots and their roles:

1. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs):

Follow predetermined paths: These robots navigate using fixed routes marked by wires or sensors, primarily for transporting goods between warehouse locations.
Typical tasks: Pallet transportation, loading & unloading trucks, moving materials within production facilities.
Examples: MiR500, Geek+ P800, Dematic AutoStore.

2. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs):

Dynamic navigation: These robots use advanced sensors and AI algorithms to navigate autonomously, adapting to changes in the environment.
Typical tasks: Picking & placing items for fulfillment, inventory management, kitting & assembly.
Examples: Fetch Robotics X series, Amazon Proteus, GreyOrange Butler.

3. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS):

Storage optimization: These systems rely on automated cranes and storage racks to efficiently store and retrieve goods, maximizing space utilization.
Typical tasks: High-density storage of palletized or bin-stored items, order fulfillment in e-commerce warehouses.
Examples: Kardex Shuttle XP, Swisslog AutoStore, Knapp OSR Shuttle.

4. Collaborative Robots (Cobots):

Human-robot collaboration: These robots are designed to work safely alongside humans, assisting with tasks and handling heavy or repetitive tasks.
Typical tasks: Packing orders, machine tending, quality control inspections.
Examples: Universal Robots UR10e, Franka Emika Panda, ABB Yumi.

5. Aerial Robots (Drones):

Last-mile delivery: These unmanned aerial vehicles are increasingly being used for delivering packages in urban and remote areas.
Typical tasks: Delivery of small packages, inventory inspection in large warehouses, aerial photography for mapping and surveying.
Examples: Amazon Prime Air, Zipline, Matternet M2.

Innovation Quotes

“I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.” ~Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple
“Without logistics the world stops.” ~Dave Waters
“Would you like me to give you a formula for success? It’s quite simple, really. Double your rate of failure. You are thinking of failure as the enemy of success. But it isn’t at all. You can be discouraged by failure or you can learn from it, so go ahead and make mistakes. Make all you can. Because remember that’s where you will find success.” ~Thomas Watson
“Our whole role in life is to give you something you didn’t know you wanted. And then once you get it, you can’t imagine your life without it. And you can count on Apple doing that.” ~Tim Cook, Supply Chain Expert
“I don’t feel that this concept of disruptive technology is the solution for everybody. But I think it’s very important for innovators to understand what we’ve learned about established companies’ motivation to target obvious profitable markets – and about their inability to find emerging ones. The evidence is just overwhelming.” ~Clayton Christensen
“You can do so much in 10 minutes time. Ten minutes, once gone, are gone for good. Divide your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few of them as possible in meaningless activity.” ~Ingvar Kamprad, IKEA founder.
“Brand is just a perception, and perception will match reality over time. Sometimes it will be ahead, other times it will be behind. But brand is simply a collective impression some have about a product.” ~Elon Musk.