Pick-by-Robot
Tried and tested, manual picking
Pick-by-Robot is a type of picking in which the picking of goods is carried out by a picking robot. Human intervention is not required in this type of picking.
Table of contents
Development
Perception-controlled logistics robots or order picking robots are advanced forms of autonomous systems that have so far been used for the automated transport of pallets and/or boxes.
This type of order picking was shown to the public for the first time in 2015. Magazino introduced the first TORU robot at that time.
application of the pick-by-robot
The pick-by-robot method is completely automated. The number of desired objects is taken by a picking robot. The picking robot receives the information in advance either via a warehouse management system (WMS) or via a host (ERP system). A stable WLAN connection is required for this.
Example of the order picking robot TORU from the Magazino company:
The TORU picking robot moves to the desired shelf and picks up the respective article. A tray supports this process. The robot has an internally integrated storage area on which it places the picked articles.
2D and 3D cameras are also installed in the gripper arms so that the picking robot can pick up the correct object even when picking from a box containing different goods.
By the way : picking robots do not always have to be mobile. There are also permanently installed robot systems that transport the goods using conveyor technology .
Advantages of the pick-by-robot process:
- Processes are automated and therefore more efficient
- Adaptation to the flexibility of processes and systems possible
- error rate is minimal
- Parallel work of humans and machines possible: Sensors support the picking robot to work parallel to humans in the same work area
- Individualized customer requests can be accommodated accordingly
- Permanently installed robot systems enable a high pick rate (up to approx. 2400/hour)
- Low manual effort with increasing staff shortages
- High service levels can be achieved
- Competitive pressure can be withstood
- The variety of products can be managed
State of Science (February 2020)
According to current findings and the current state of science, the implementation of purely robot-controlled order picking is hardly feasible, as many hurdles arise. Here are a few examples:
- Robots are not (yet) as flexible and adaptable as humans
- The nature of the objects may be too complex for robots (weight, shape, surface, stability)
- Long computing times for recognizing objects on shelves and picking an object - compared to humans
- Limited speed of movement
One solution - adapted to the current state of science - would be to combine the activities of humans and robots. Each would then take on subtasks tailored to them. These combinations are increasingly being used in production and assembly processes: collaborative robotics. By playing to the strengths of humans and robots, an optimum can be achieved that is highly efficient economically.
By the way : A collaborative robot, or cobot for short, is an industrial robot that works together with humans and is not separated from them by protective devices during the production process.
