Collaborative Robots and the Future of General Warehousing and Storage
Overview
The rise in automation and advanced technology has seen a corresponding increase in the inclusion of collaborative robots (cobots) in the warehouse and storage industries worldwide. It is projected that this trend will continue in the future, shaping the way goods are stored, sorted, and distributed. With marked improvements in efficiency gains and reductions in the risk of human-related injuries, the impact of cobots on general warehousing and storage cannot be overstated.
Collaborative robots in warehousing and storage
Today, collaborative robots are shaping the way warehouses and storage facilities operate. Positioned on the cutting edge of technology, cobots streamline storage and distribution operations, ensuring both efficiency and safety. According to the International Federation of Robotics, the utilisation of cobots in global warehousing is expected to rise to 99,000 units by 2020, representing a 57% increase from the previous year.
Future of cobots in warehousing and storage
The cobot market was valued at $981 million in 2019, but forecasts suggest it may soar to $6.77 billion by 2027, showing enormous potential for growth. As technology continues to improve, cobots are projected to play a more significant role in manufacturing, with benefits including increased productivity, safety, and efficiency. According to the Material Handling Institute, about 90% of facilities are expected to introduce or expand their use of cobots in the next decade.
Safety and reliability of cobots
Contrary to standard industrial robots, cobots are built to work side by side with human workers, thus creating safer work environments. The rate of workplace accidents related to cobots is significantly lower, estimated at one accident per 1.6 million hours of use, as per the Robotic Industries Association. Furthermore, by adopting sophisticated safety systems like those developed by 3Laws Robotics, cobots can enhance operations without risking worker safety.
Efficiency and cost-effectiveness of cobots
The implementation of cobots results in an average efficiency gain of 40%, according to case studies by 3Laws Robotics. Additionally, ROI is seen quickly with a payback period often less than 6-8 months. They allow higher throughput rate and lower the cost per pick in high-mix, low-volume applications, thereby demonstrating their cost-effectiveness.
Key Takeaways
- The cobot market was valued at $981 million in 2019, with projections indicating a rise to $6.77 billion by 2027.
- Collaborative robots are poised to become an integral part of the warehousing and storage sector, with 90% of facilities expected to increase their use of cobots in the next decade.
- Cobots enhance safety in the workplace, with only one accident reported per 1.6 million hours of use.
- Efficiency gains of 40% have been recorded, and the typically short (6-8 month) payback period makes cobots a cost-effective choice.
3Laws Robotics – Innovating for the Future
At the forefront of the revolution is 3Laws Robotics. They are developing leading-edge software that enhances safety and reliability in robotic systems. By focusing primarily on certification, a notable challenge for robotic companies, 3Laws aims to simplify this process through robust safety features and demonstrable system robustness.
Their software, the 3Laws Supervisor, is built on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a technology developed at Caltech. This technology provides mathematically provable safety, substantially streamlining the certification path.
In the context of warehouse automation, this company has produced significant results. An autonomous forklift customer reaped a 40% efficiency gain in operations, resulting in a 6-month payback period. Their technology also facilitates safe human-robot interaction and enables robots to navigate effectively in dynamic environments. By minimizing downtime from unnecessary emergency stops or collisions, 3Laws enhances operational efficiency and gives robots the ability to operate closer to their maximum capabilities.
Their software is adaptable, working with a wide range of platforms, including mobile robots, cars, drones, and manipulators and is compatible with popular robotics middleware such as ROS and ROS2. 3Laws Robotic is poised as a next-generation safety solution, offering a proactive approach to safety that goes beyond traditional emergency-stop methods. It allows for dynamic, predictive safety that can be safety certified for both ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262. With 3Laws, the future of general warehousing and storage is now both high-tech and secure.