From robots to automated processes, different types of warehouse automation based on various technologies can help you increase productivity by leaps and bounds. Manual processes go hand in hand with warehouse challenges—warehouse challenges—high operational costs, expensive human errors, and more processing time. Different types of warehouse automation are designed to overcome such challenges.
According to a study, in 2025, warehouse automation and robotics will increase productivity by 25% to 70% and reduce operating costs by 20% to 40%.
This article explains the eight types of warehouse automation to increase warehouse productivity. But first, let's understand what warehouse automation is and its benefits.
What Is Warehouse Automation?
Warehouse automation uses one or several types of automated technologies to automate manual warehouse operations. It reduces the burden of your most repetitive, tedious, and potentially error-prone tasks with the help of highly accurate and fatigue-proof machines.
According to Statista, the warehouse automation market is expected to surpass $30 billion worldwide by 2026, which is $17.9 billion in 2022.
To learn more about warehouse technologies and automation, watch this video: https://youtu.be/k6AN2f2BCzc
Benefits of Warehouse Automation
Warehouse automation offers a wide range of compelling benefits that can differ considerably depending on the type of warehouse automation you choose. Key benefits of warehouse automation include:
- Fewer human errors
- Reduced operational costs
- Improved warehouse productivity
- Eliminated safety risks
- Reduced processing time
- Space optimization
- Higher customer satisfaction
To know more about the benefits of warehouse automation, take a look at the article on seven warehouse automation benefits that will increase warehouse efficiency.
Without further ado, here are eight types of warehouse automation.
8 Types of Warehouse Automation
1. Automated Dimensioning Systems
Based on infrared, camera, weighing, and barcode technology, automated dimensioning systems are designed to capture parcels’ and pallets’ physical details. There are two types of warehouse automated dimensioning systems:
1) Automated Parcel Dimensioning Systems
An automated parcel dimensioning system can capture dimensions (length, width, and height), weight, and images of a three-dimensional or irregular-shaped parcel in seconds. It automates the time-consuming parcel dimensioning process and eliminates human errors effectively.
2) Automated Pallet Dimensioning Systems
An automated pallet dimensioning system is a warehouse technology that automates pallet dimensioning (length, width, and height), weight, and image capture processes. It is specially designed for measuring cubic and irregular-shaped pallets quickly and accurately.
If you are considering investing in a dimensioning system, here are 8 factors to consider before adopting a parcel dimensioner.
2. Goods-to-Person (GTP) Technologies
Goods-to-person is one of the most popular types of warehouse automation methods for reducing warehouse congestion and increasing overall efficiency. It includes the use of carousels, conveyors, and vertical lift systems.
3. Warehouse Workflows
Warehouse workflows are a type of warehouse automation that orchestrates different processes and helps you reduce operational time and costs. They allow you to automatically execute a series of tasks using a specific trigger. These tasks include creating tasks and reminders to workers, sending automatic customer emails after receipt of cargo, verifying the completion of tasks, etc. You can also create multiple branches according to the result of tasks or certain conditions.
This automation enables you to minimize the manual processing of tasks and increases efficiency and productivity. These types of warehouse automation are ideal for repetitive and/or manual processes that do not involve much decision-making.
4. Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
AGVs use magnetic strips, floor markers (stickers), wires, lasers, cameras, and other sensors to navigate a set path in the warehouse. These types of warehouse automation systems are limited to large, non-complex warehouse environments with specially designed navigation layouts. However, AGVs are unsuitable for complex and space constraint warehouses with many human workers/traffic.
According to Grand View Research, the global market for AGVs is expected to grow at a CAGR of more than 15.8% from 2019 to 2025.
To learn more about automated guided vehicles, check out our article on autonomous vehicles in warehouse management. 
5. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
AMRs are more flexible and smarter than AGVs as they use onboard sensors, cameras, and processors to navigate effectively through a warehouse. AMRs are conscious and process paths in real-time, unlike AGVs where they have a set path. AMRs can move materials autonomously without physical guides or any other markers. These robots are designed for warehouses to address their high-volume, high-labor requirements. They have in-built advanced guidance systems that can detect multiple obstacles, allowing them to function in environments safely with human workers.
6. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
An automated storage and retrieval system is a type of GTP fulfillment technology that automatically stores and retrieves goods from defined warehouse storage locations with accuracy and speed. Ideal for manufacturing and distribution facilities, AS/RS save floor space (by eliminating the need for large areas of shelving), improves safety, and increases productivity.
7. Drones
Drones are one of the most advanced types of warehouse automation systems that can improve the quality of warehouse operations. Drones, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), are advanced flying devices that use optical sensors, infrared cameras, barcode scanners, RFID technology, etc., to locate cargo, conduct inventory counts, etc. They automatically send alerts if any item is in the wrong storage location or the products need restocking. They can reach even the innermost spaces within a warehouse.
According to Gartner, drones will grow to over 13 million units worldwide in 2029, which was 989,000 in 2019. Drones can save hundreds of person-hours by checking inventory faster than conventional manual methods. Moreover, drones are a much safer alternative to manual counting with heavy equipment such as scissor lifts, man-cages, and forklifts.
8. Automated Sortation Systems
Automated sortation systems automatically identify and sort products on a conveyor system and direct them to specific warehouse locations such as:
- Picking zone
- Returns processing zone
- Packing station
- Storage facility
- Shipping station
These types of warehouse automation systems apply various sorting methods by using RFID, barcode scanners, and other sensors depending on the product type. As a result, there will be streamlined warehouse operations with less handling of orders and fewer growth constraints.
Conclusion
With many types of warehouse automation to choose from, you can select according to the needs of your warehouse. These automation solutions are collaborative and can work together with the human workforce to reduce human errors, operational costs, safety risks, and processing time. They make it easier, faster, and more accurate to execute warehouse processes, which in turn helps you increase warehouse productivity and efficiency.
If you are ready to evolve and improve your warehouse efficiency using automation, take a look at these pallet dimensioners, parcel dimensioners, and custom warehouse technology solutions.
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