AI and robots help retain warehouse staff
STORAGE , HANDLING & DISTRIBUTION THE WAREHOUSE OF THE FUTURE
PRIME VISION
AI and robots help retain warehouse staff
Until recently , the introduction of artificial intelligence ( AI ) and robots into the workplace was perceived as a threat to jobs . However , in the logistics sector , quite the opposite is happening . In the face of ongoing labour shortages and staff retention issues , these technologies are enriching people ’ s lives by opening new , more meaningful roles . Contrary to the expected narrative , man and machine are now forging collaborative , beneficial relationships that will come to define the warehouse of the future .
Dirk van Lammeren , CCO at Prime Vision , explores how its automation technologies are improving warehouse staff retention , and what is coming next .
The human factor becomes paramount
In a recent global survey of over 2,000 global supply chain professionals , it was found that 84 % of organisations had issues with retaining staff . 1 This is because traditionally , warehouse work has been strenuous , monotonous and unfulfilling . Walking kilometres every day carrying parcels or standing at conveyers mindlessly sorting parcels into chutes does not appeal to many . This lack of enthusiasm , combined with unique market conditions like aging populations and the aftershocks of the pandemic have made finding and retaining employees difficult .
The manifestation of this is that many large logistics companies now have dedicated retention officers either appointed or reporting directly to the board . Having to continually retrain new employees due to high turnover is expensive and time consuming – so many of the big players are trying to make warehouse work more attractive . Programs to improve benefits and pay go a long way , but now companies are investing in new technologies to improve staff retention . The key aim ? Make working in a warehouse fun .
Technology changes our attitudes
About 3 to 4 years ago , positioning automation as a solution to this conundrum would ’ ve been met with scepticism . People were inherently wary of AI and robotics as they were considered technologies to replace workers rather than assist them . However , in the context of a labour shortage and efforts to make warehouse work more engaging , attitudes are changing .
Research has illustrated this . When staff were asked if they excited about the possibilities of AI and robotics , 75 % and 72 % responded positively to each respective technology . 2 Why is this the case ? After seeing the benefits in their day-to-day working lives , employees are supportive . These technologies are making warehouse work more engaging and meaningful – increasing the chances of people showing up to work the next day . As a specialist in both AI and robotics , Prime Vision has experienced this revolution first hand .
AI helps people diversify
Despite all the recent noise , AI has been around in one form or another since the 1960s . Terms like predictive models or big data illustrate the gradual evolution . Now , increases in computing power have made AI more proactive , predictive and helpful .
This has opened more strategic job roles in warehouse logistics . AI can now determine what packages are coming , the item diversity , predicted volumes , market trends , key destinations and the resulting effect on sorting operations . Many are using digital twins that accurately model real-world operations to experiment and plan for future scenarios .
90 PECM Issue 71