Pittsburgh, PA -- (SBWIRE) -- 07/11/2013 -- In the July 10th issue of SupplyChainBrain, John Hayes, Vice President of U.S. Sales and Marketing with Seegrid, traces the history of robotics in distribution environments, and tells why robots do not automatically lead to a loss of jobs. In the feature entitled, “Robots in the Warehouse: A Progress Report”, Hayes challenges the notion that the use of robots always means a significant loss of people within a distribution facility.
Hayes, a respected industry thought leader, acknowledged that automated guided vehicles (AGVs) often result in some workforce reductions, but many applications of robotics end up improving the worker’s experience. They make possible the allocation of humans to more “value-added” positions, with better pay. They can also lead to efficiency increases that drive more volume through a facility.
“At the end of the day,” reported Hayes, “statistics have proved out that over the long term, there are actually more people in the warehouse after robotics have been deployed. There are sections where you need human thinking and interaction with the product,” says Hayes. “You can automate long-distance travel [within the warehouse], but it will be a very long time before we remove humans from manufacturing and distribution.”
The latest iteration of robotics is geared toward an intermediate level of automation, Hayes shared in SupplyChainBrain. A totally mechanized system can be difficult to justify in terms of return on investment. It’s somewhat more viable in Europe, where labor is more expensive to obtain, he says. In the U.S., warehouse managers are more concerned about going after the “low-hanging fruit” of operations that are ripe for automation.
The article and accompanying video may be seen at http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/technology-solutions/warehouse-management/single-article-page/article/robots-in-the-warehouse-a-progress-report-1/.
About Seegrid
Founded in 2003, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Seegrid Corporation (www.seegrid.com) brings robotic vision-guided technology to the material handling industry. With more than thirty years of innovation and research by leading robotic scientists, engineers, programmers and logistics practitioners worldwide, Seegrid’s exclusive Robotic Industrial Trucks are revolutionizing the movement of materials in manufacturing and distribution environments. Seegrid’s technology transforms industrial vehicles into unmanned, automated pallet trucks and tow tractors that operate without the need for wire, tape, laser, magnet or other costly automated guided vehicle (AGV) guidance systems. Seegrid offers solutions that optimize workflow processes by increasing productivity and reducing costs, creating economic and operational advantages. Fast Company magazine named Seegrid as one of the Top 50 World’s Most Innovative Company in 2013 and among the Top 10 World’s Most Innovative Robotics Company in 2013. Follow Seegrid Corporation on Twitter at @Seegrid.
Seegrid Corporation
www.seegrid.com
Amanda Merrell, Marketing Director
amerrell@seegrid.com
412-379-4500