Creating an effective logistics system in today’s consumer market landscape is challenging, to say the least. Labor shortages, fluctuating customer demand, globalization, and a need for scalability force companies to rethink their supply chains. In many cases, automated material handling systems provide the quickest route to success. TGW Logistics makes this possible with mobile mobile robotics .
Blog Post
Efficient Material Handling: How Autonomous Mobile Robotics Revolutionize Logistics
Flexibility That Supports Growth
There’s an ever-present need for scalability in the rapidly changing business world. Your logistics facilities must respond quickly to shifts in consumers’ needs, volume increases, and market expansion.
Our mobile robotic solutions give logistics centers the flexibility to scale fast while maintaining consistent operational efficiency. We offer a suite of warehouse robots that work across a wide range of industries.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs): Sensors and camera technology allow these robots to move independently throughout a facility. This autonomous movement makes them perfect for efficient goods transportation and order picking.
Autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs): These robots transport items throughout a warehouse following a preprogrammed path. They navigate their environment using sensors, magnetic strips, and QR codes. Though their movement is more limited, AGVs are typically less expensive and ideal for consistent and predictable operations.
Our easy-to-use warehouse management software allows us to quickly implement mobile robotic solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you require a single robot or a complex, orchestrated system, our technology provides the flexibility you need to reach your goals.
Adapt to Dynamic Market Requirements
Seasonal peaks and fluctuating market demands pose unique challenges to a company’s supply chain. They make it difficult to effectively manage inventory, maintain delivery times, and ensure workers aren’t underutilized.
Logistics systems equipped with mobile robotics can help you adapt to unforeseeable changes in several ways:
- Adding robots allows you to adapt to volume fluctuations.
- Robots provide continuous support during labor shortages or seasonal peaks.
- The continuous mapping of new tasks lets your robots adapt to structural changes in your facility.
- You can easily integrate robots into existing setups, like automated storage systems, and current warehouse management software programs.
Mobile robots offer a level of precision and operational reliability human workers don’t have the stamina to provide. They can increase throughput speed, reduce errors, and lower operating costs. This allows you to keep your facility running at maximum capacity, regardless of market challenges.
Seamless Integration With Your System
Adding new automation to your existing logistics systems presents complex challenges, especially while maintaining ongoing operations. Our mobile robotics solutions simplify the process through a plug-and-play implementation approach.
A key benefit of mobile robotics is they can be mapped to your current warehouse infrastructure. They can also adapt to your facility’s layout with little modification. This supports quick and easy integration and allows you to immediately make significant operational improvements.
Another advantage is the ability to quickly add and remove robots to meet demand, giving you more control over your logistics center. For example, if fulfillment requirements suddenly rise, you can add more robots for transporting more goods to picking or packing stations. This level of flexibility means you’re only using the exact amount of automation needed, ensuring a strong return on investment.
Mobile robots also integrate with your existing warehouse management software (WMS) so you can sync them with current systems and workflows. This capability allows them to pair seamlessly with automated conveyors, sorters, ASRS, and picking stations. Once integrated, warehouse robots collect valuable data that helps you make the changes needed to improve your system’s performance.
Collaboration Between Humans and Warehouse Robots
In many fulfillment centers, manual and automated processes must coexist. However, it’s often difficult to strike the right balance between automation's speed and efficiency and human workers' knowledge and experience.
A healthy collaboration between employees and mobile robots offers many benefits. It improves productivity, reduces employees' physical strain, and improves workplace safety.
Let’s look at some examples:
- Robots reduce the amount of walking human workers must do by transporting goods over long distances.
- Small mobile robots maximize space in a warehouse, which cuts down on injuries and streamlines the material flow.
- Mobile robots reduce physical stress on employees by lifting heavy items and performing repetitive tasks.
- Robots allow employees to focus on accurate picking by transporting goods to and from workstations.
- The data collected by mobile robots help warehouse managers fine-tune the material handling process to achieve higher, more efficient throughput.
The combination of mobile robotics and a skilled workforce creates a logistics system destined for success. Using automation to enhance speed, efficiency, and accuracy allows your employees to develop their skills and put their natural problem-solving abilities to work.
Optimize Robotics With Warehouse Management Software
A key component of our AMRs and AGVs is WERX Mobile Robotics. This advanced warehouse management software monitors and coordinates the operation of all mobile robots in your facility. As the central control element of the robot fleet, WERX optimizes task distribution, route planning, and traffic management. It also supports seamless integration with other warehouse management systems, ensuring maximum productivity and efficiency.
The WERX Mobile Robotics software is robust and flexible, making it optimal for use across a wide range of industries. It offers advanced capabilities such as predictive maintenance planning and performance analysis. These features maximize the reliability and efficiency of your entire logistics facility. Plus, the intuitive and modern user interface is integrated into the WERX portal, making it an indispensable tool in modern logistics.
Future-Proof Your Operation With Solutions From TGW Logistics
Don’t let today’s logistics challenges stop you from providing excellent service. We designed our mobile robotics technology to provide flexible solutions that help you meet unpredictable market demands and future-proof your business.
Our innovative robotics combined with WERX software is your ticket to logistics efficiency, lower operational costs, and smooth material handling. Our experts will work closely with you to discover the best solutions based on your current infrastructure and long-term goals.
Partner with TGW Logistics and let us set your system up for growth and efficiency.