If you’re on the proverbial fence, you probably need a little more info on whether robots are better than humans in carrying out duties, and….just how much do they cost?

Robots in Warehousing is on Trend

In a world where brick and mortar are keeping their metaphorical heads above water, e-commerce is pushing them back under. With the increase in demand for warehousing to accommodate our digital world, we need fast-paced and customer-centric solutions.

Robotics, while only part of 20 percent of warehousing, will soon replace most pickers like email replaced most stamps.

As a result, supply chain operations will be more productive, accurate, efficient and safer.

Supply Chain Automation is on the Rise

In 2016, the logistics robotic market had a global market revenue of $1.9 billion with a projected market value of $22.4 billion by the end of 2021.

It is forecasted that warehousing and logistics robot shipments will increase from 40,000 to over 600,000 in that same time. People are already seeing some movement in this, what with trucks being equipped with tracking software (like https://www.lytx.com/en-us/fleet-management/fleet-tracking-service, for instance) to help keep tabs on where the products are in transit.

With more than a half a million jobs in logistics, companies have a difficult time finding employees and robots just might be the answer for more than 75 percent of warehouses that are robot-free-for now.

Robotics Solves Long-Standing Warehousing Problems

Sorting: Vision systems that are part of robotic arms aid in efficient accurate sorting saving time, money, improving accuracy and safety.

Loading and Unloading: Overseas products are stacked and unsorted, making loading and unloading difficult. Robotic laser vision and software allow robots to view container products and set out loading and unloading sequences your average Joe just isn’t equipped to carry out by eye. Saving time, money, and improving accuracy.

Picking: Sorting is a perpetual part of warehousing. Robotic vision systems mentioned before allow robots to recognize products and moving/sorting them. This effectively increases productivity, efficiency, and your bottom line.

Not only that, but due to the expeditious advancement in technology collaborative robots can do what a group of humans can do, more quickly, accurately, and without risk to safety. This is due to things like AC drives, as AC drives improve industry automation no end.

Look, we’re not putting humans down, but in an industry where it’s increasingly difficult to find and keep good employees, maybe the people have spoken. Bring in the bots! There is, however, a way to strike a balance. Employers would prefer to hire people with specific work experience, especially in industrial services, where someone who has completed construction industry courses may be preferred over a bot.

But the lingering question is….”At what cost?”

Robots Pay Off in Less Than a Year

On average, robots pay for themselves in around six months. Not to mention insurance and injury-saving costs.

Couple that with the cost-saving, profit-increasing benefits alongside a competitive advantage, and the only question left might be when are you adopting a bot workforce?