Imagine a warehouse or distribution center that was fully automated. Robots, conveyors, computers and other machines run every aspect of the operation.
Because there were no human workers, the facility could be run at maximum capacity for 24 hours per day. There would be no such thing as weekends or holidays. There wouldn’t even be a need for a thermostat or lights because the entire operation could be run in the dark in either freezing winter or sweltering summer conditions and there would be nobody to complain.
Management would never have to worry about being inspected by the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration because no human beings could ever get run over, pulled into machinery or otherwise injured in a workplace accident. Insurance premiums would fall because robots don’t require liability or health insurance.
Pipe dream or reality?
So far, it’s still a fantasy. But thanks to rapid advancements in supply chain technologies and other developments, it may not be too far in the future. At least not according to a recent article in Materials Handling Network.
Just about the only thing preventing it from happening today is the excessive cost of building such a facility.
“While humans can be expensive over the long haul, you’re paying those costs in small, weekly or bi-weekly increments,” wrote author Kevin Ambrose. “Robots and automated equipment on the other hand have to be paid for up front.”
A second hurdle would be limitations on the automation itself. While robots are good at performing repetitive tasks, they are less reliable when decisions have to be made.
“They haven’t been so good at dealing with variables,” Ambrose wrote. “And what is a warehouse or DC if not an infinitely variable environment, especially in today’s fast-moving eCommerce world?”
Still, the fact that automation can often bring annual returns of 15% to 50%, it’s highly likely that somebody, somewhere is already designing the perfect fully automated warehouse.