How robotic picking is revolutionizing warehouse productivity

Shopping online may be an entirely digital experience, but the process of fulfilling that order is often still a very analog affair. While shoppers lounge comfortably on their couches, “order pickers” push heavy carts up and down the warehouse aisles, picking purchases off shelves and ferrying them to the packing station, where they are prepped for shipment.

It’s a time-consuming and physically strenuous task. But that’s changing. Robotic picking with what are known as “autonomous mobile robots” or AMRs is automating and optimizing the physical movement of goods. These high-performing robotic picking assistants increase efficiency and free up our human resources to utilize their intelligence for more value-adding work.

DHL Supply Chain has been partnering with Locus Robotics on robotic picking solutions since 2017. The DHL robots made by Locus have been such a runaway success that we’re scaling up our partnership to deploy 5,000 of their most sophisticated robots, the Locus Origin, across our global network of warehouses and distribution centers by the end of 2023. It’s the biggest AMR deal the industry has ever seen.

The robotic picking pros – what Locus does best

In e-commerce and supply chain logistics, the repetitive process of order picking is not easy to automate. Today’s e-fulfillment centers cover enormous spaces and store millions of items. Solutions that boost picking efficiency and reduce the physical toll on employees are essential. They help supply chain companies like DHL optimize operations, create healthy working environments, and gain a competitive advantage.

Assisted picking robots like Locus AMRs represent a breakthrough in efficiency. Robotic picking can increase the number of items picked per hour by up to 180%. That’s a big deal, especially right now. The pandemic has brought an e-commerce boom in its wake, and customer demands for product availability and delivery time are high. An efficiency increase of this magnitude is a big win for e-commerce businesses and order fulfillment services.

It’s a big win for our warehouse teams, too. Robotic picking helps us meet our commitment to create a safe and purpose-driven workplace and provide a great place to work. With AMRs rolling up and down the aisles, our people spend less time walking long distances and pushing heavy carts and instead focus on value-adding work that calls for human intelligence. The robots are also equipped with obstacle-detection sensors to prevent occupational hazards.

By vastly scaling up our robotic picking fleet to 5,000 AMRs in DHL Supply Chain facilities worldwide, we are making a key investment in warehouse automation and the digital supply chain.

The surge in demand in the B2C e-commerce sector is already spilling over into B2B logistics operations. Innovative warehousing solutions involving robotic picking and other technology provide the boost we need to meet the exploding demand. Together with our partners at Locus Robotics, building a team of DHL robots and revolutionizing warehouse productivity and delivering tomorrow’s smart warehouse today.