Collaborative Robots and the Future of Warehouse Clubs, Supercenters, and General Merchandise Retailers
Overview
The application of collaborative robotics within the warehouse clubs, supercenters, and general merchandise retail sectors is opening up transformative efficiencies and increased safety measures. This guide will delve into the growing emergence of collaborative robots, commonly known as "cobots," their implications on modern retail, and how companies like 3Laws Robotics are providing solutions that enhance the integration of these technologies.
Collaborative Robots Advancing Retail
Robotic automation's impact is considerable, with Global Market Insights estimating that by 2025, the automated guideway transit market will exceed $2.9 billion. With this rapid expansion, the retail sector stands to benefit from incorporating more cobots into their operational processes. Research shows that 94% of businesses using collaborative robots have improved their efficiency, demonstrating the power robotic automation holds within these sectors.
Warehouse Transformation
In the warehousing domain, robots are revolutionizing operations. Statistica found that sales of warehousing and logistics robots reached $21.2 billion globally in 2021, an increase that predicts a strong future for this technology. The use of collaborative robots within warehouses not only increases efficiency but also reduces the risk to workers. 3Laws has helped customers achieve a 40% efficiency gain with their autonomous forklift solution, resulting in a crucial competitive advantage.
Supercenters and General Merchandise Retailers
The impact is also being felt in supercenters and general merchandise retailers. Statista also reports that approximately 20,000 e-commerce and third-party logistics companies utilize cobots. The unique combination of speed, safety, and efficiency that cobots bring means that large-scale retailers can fulfill larger order volumes and maintain their competitive positioning in a rapidly evolving market.
Key Takeaways
- Robotic automation is expected to see continued growth, with the automated guideway transit market expected to exceed $2.9 billion by 2025.
- 94% of businesses using cobots see improved efficiency, highlighting their potential value within the retail sector.
- Adoption of cobots within the warehouse industry is rapidly accelerating, contributing to the global sales of warehousing and logistics robots reaching $21.2 billion in 2021.
- In the field of supercenters and general merchandise retailers, about 20,000 e-commerce and third-party logistics companies utilize collaborative robots to streamline operations.
About 3Laws Robotics
3Laws Robotics provides innovative solutions that enhance safety and reliability for robotics systems - crucial elements when incorporating cobots within a business environment. Central to their work is tackling the certification challenge, a common stumbling block for many robotics firms. Their software, 3Laws Supervisor, simplifies the certification process, offering robust safety measures and demonstrable system robustness.
3Laws builds their software on Control Barrier Functions (CBFs), a proven technology developed by Caltech that assures mathematically provable safety. Utilized across a range of industries, their technology has assisted warehouse automation to achieve efficiency gains and provided human-robot interaction solutions, ensuring safe robotic operations around individuals.
Through minimizing unnecessary downtime arising from e-stops or collisions, 3Laws enhances operational efficiency, offering real-time autonomy stack guardrails enabling robots to function close to their peak capabilities while maintaining safety. The 3Laws software works with various platforms, from mobile robots to drones, making it a versatile solution adaptable to a wide range of applications.
With the adaptability and compatibility with standard robotic middleware such as ROS and ROS2, 3Laws positions itself as a forerunner in providing dynamic, preventive safety solutions that can unlock the full potential of robotics, ready to be safety certified for ISO 3691-4 and ISO 26262.