Automating the warehouse: Robots can increase productivity of existing labor force

There are different robotic applications suitable for a variety of warehouse environments. The use of robotics is expanding in a number of business environments, but warehouses seem especially well suited to the adoption of autonomous machines of various types. "Automation in the warehouse has been something that has been going on for quite some time now, but when we think about robotics, it is not the same thing as automation," said John Santagate, research manager, supply chain at International Data Corp., (IDC). In hospitals around the world, surgeons are getting help from new robotic assistants. "Automation takes a repetitive tasks and processes and seeks to streamline the tasks and processes to be completed by machinery such as conveyors," Santagate said.