US-based consumer electronics e-commerce firm, Newegg Commerce, has teamed up with robotics solutions company Geek+ to deploy a shelf-to-person mobile picking system that uses autonomous mobile robots (AMR) for increased speed and efficiency.
The AMR system has been rolled out at Newegg’s southern California 240,000 sq ft distribution center in Ontario. The system features dozens of robots that operate within a designated area before lifting and carrying mobile shelves to workstations where employees pick and scan products to prepare them for shipping to customers.
Robot duties
Geek+’s P800 robots, which travel at around 3.5mph and can lift and move over 2,200lbs, move under racks within the warehouse. Their routes and duties are assigned by Geek+ software based on inbound customer orders.
Once parked underneath a rack, the robot lifts the rack and drives it to a warehouse employee several yards away so the employee can pick products. The robot can also rotate the rack to offer products from two opposite sides.
All P800 robots can move at the same time without collisions to fulfil their duties, bringing racks to employees and returning the shelving units to storage areas until needed again.
AMR benefits
According to Geek+, the robotics technology eliminates the need for warehouse workers to walk long distances, a time-consuming and physically demanding process, to pick products from shelves. The system has increased efficiency and accuracy, enabling products to be picked, packed and shipped faster than traditional manual picking methods.
Newegg has already seen improved employee safety and cost savings, among other benefits. “We’re optimistic about seeing improvements in picking efficiency and storage space optimization with the new Geek+ robotics system in our Ontario warehouse,” said Tim Zhou, IT Manager for Newegg.
Rick DeFiesta, EVP of Sales & Solutions at Geek+, added: “Our shelf-to-person picking system improves the entire process for Newegg. The benefits include improved efficiency and productivity; accurate fulfilment; reduced labour costs; safety and ergonomics, and space optimization.”
Employee benefits
The robots have assumed repetitive and physically demanding tasks which allows associates to be reassigned to more complex and value-added activities that require greater problem-solving, decision-making and cognitive skills.
The robots also reduce physical strain and risk of injuries common among manual picking processes. Also, employees have acquired new skills to supervise and maintain the robots while evaluating how they operate within the entire logistics system.
Newegg and Geek+ worked together to determine the AMR footprint in the warehouse and train Newegg employees to operate the system for picking. The system was fully implemented in about six weeks.
