How robotics can fit your operation

If you wanted to create the perfect mix of conditions to trigger the growth of a type of automated equipment for distribution center operations, you couldn't do much better than the factors lining up in favor of robotics. E-commerce and omni-channel fulfillment are driving labor-intensive piece picking, and warehouse labor is increasingly difficult to find and retain. DC operators know they need to automate to reduce these challenges, but few operations are able to plunk down millions for traditional automation projects that carry long payback times and might be difficult to reconfigure. Enter a new generation of robots, based on technology that uses on-board sensors and a more "natural" approach to navigation. Research shows high interest in robotics. According to MHI's "2018 Annual Industry Study", 65% of professionals surveyed now see robotics and automation as a major source of disruption and/or opportunity, up from 61% last year.