Many companies have taken advantage of technology when it comes to warehouse tasks. Boston Dynamics, a company that has made multiple warehouse technologies, has made yet another one. The Handle, a robot used for stacking and organizing packages has been improved since a less popular version appeared two years ago. The new efficient robot saves time for workers so they can take on tasks that are more important than stacking boxes at their company warehouse. The robot is made to handle up to 33 lbs per box and its main tasks are palletizing, depalletizing and localizing of these pallets. Along with stacking and organizing boxes, the ‘Handle’ makes sure everything is snug just as a human employee would. With wheels, an excellent turning motion, and a suction cup to pick up boxes, the robot’s work ethic is impressive.
Like other artificial intelligence, the Handle has us asking the question, will robots replace factory and warehouse employees? This seems like a good possibility since the Handle has the ability to work around the clock while human employees can only work so many hours, especially when it comes to labor such as stacking and organizing warehouse items. Robots such as the handle are expensive, but definitely worth it. All those extra hours a robot can work compared to people, will create happier customers for companies due to more efficient delivery. There is always room for error, especially with technology, but that is a risk companies will take to save time and money. If they do choose to use these electronic slaves it is evident that some people will have to be laid off, but there are always other things people can do such as managing.
Although the Handle seems great, with the suction capability it can only pick up one box at a time and place it where it needs to go. This will definitely help save time, but a person can lift more than one box at a time, especially people who have been working at a warehouse for a while. So, perhaps not everyone’s job is at stake. Unlike other warehouse robots, the Handle actually picks things up, which is something we haven’t seen much of. Most robots, such as the one we saw in the FedEx warehouse are moving carts, which need people to place items inside them. With that said, the Handle is a gamechanger if people are willing to invest in them.
Not every company has invested in robot technology, but some such as FedEx have and it has made a huge difference in delivery time. The Handle is not as fast as human workers, but it never runs out of juice, except for when its battery dies. Slowly but surely robots will become a larger part of the workforce, but this will not be tomorrow. Nowadays there are robot helpers, but there is no workforce that consists entirely of robots. That day is a long ways away. When it does come the technology will be ready as it is always improving and will be impeccable by then.
No comments:
Post a Comment