Since the development of the first robot, many people in different industries have waited for a long time to see more commercial robots developed for use. The progress so far is clear, with many industries and companies using robots for activities that would take employees longer or those that are hard and dangerous for people.
It took decades to develop around 1.2 million robots used in different industries today. However, because of the developed technology, it might take approximately only three years to get the number to 2.6 million.
Even with the technological developments and robotics, some companies still face particular challenges in their logistics. This has caused an increase in the demand for better operational efficiency and productivity. However, the continued global decrease of qualified staff has increased the need for innovation in the supply chain businesses.
We predict that companies in different industries will start implementing robotics within the next five years. This has created a new need for robotics companies to develop the robotics solutions these companies need.
With the improved technology, it will be easier for them to achieve what was previously impossible and give them the ability to create new and enhanced robotics designs to increase production and optimize processes.
Mobile Piece-Picking Robots Are Becoming the Norm
In the past, people considered mobile piece picking robots too complex for use in average distribution centers, making them unrealistic for people to use. However, with the increasing technology, there are fewer limitations now, and robots have become a more realistic and viable solution.
It is now possible for people to work alongside robots, which helps optimize warehouse processes with different collaboration scopes. Warehouse employees usually use a lot of effort, and their jobs are sometimes dangerous.
With piece picking robots, employees can now move from doing dangerous or repetitive tasks and focus on other tasks like training and maintaining the robots. This helps the employees by relieving them of the high labor requirements and the employers by increasing the efficiency of the supply chain and production.
To assist in making this a reality and optimize robotic collaboration operational benefits, DHL is partnering with tech specialists like Fetch Robotics to discover how people can use robotics in logistics.
DHL aims to prove to people in the logistics and supply chain industry that robots are here to help rather than work against them.
Robotics Challenge
To help increase the innovation in the robotics sector, the company has launched the DHL Robotics Challenge, aimed at rewarding new and emerging innovative and inventive talent. It will also help make robotics more widespread and accepted among university students, researchers, and start-ups.
We partnered with Dell EMC in hosting one of our challenges, which focused on mobile piece-picking robots. We invited all visionaries, investors, and forward thinkers to create a prototype that people can use in a standard warehouse environment.
These robots were supposed to have autonomous mobility capabilities at walking speed. We judged them based on their functionality, originality, aesthetics, perceived commercial feasibility, and potential problem-solving abilities.
We had an expert judge panel choose three finalists, who were then to be flown out to our Troisdorf DHL Innovation Center in Germany. The finalists were then to present the prototypes on 7th December 2017, the DHL Innovation Day.
The audience they were presenting to had around 180 senior supply chain professionals who live-voted for the winner. That year’s competition also engaged in a joint proof-of-concept with the two hosting companies.
Also Visit: Top 10 Biggest Companies in Europe
