World’s most advanced robotic warehouse (AI automation)

Summary

This video takes viewers behind the scenes of a state-of-the-art e-commerce warehouse, fully operated by Brightpick Autopicker robots. These AI-powered robots autonomously manage tasks like picking, packing, and inventory replenishment, while human workers handle specialized tasks such as goods-to-person picking and pallet handling. The Brightpick system optimizes efficiency, ensuring a seamless integration of robotic and human workflows. With automated packaging and dynamic slotting for storage, this highly flexible and scalable operation is designed to handle high order volumes while minimizing labor and maximizing throughput. This is a glimpse into the future of e-commerce fulfillment.

Takeaways

• 😀 48 Brightpick Autopicker robots autonomously manage inventory replenishment, order picking, and packing, making the warehouse highly efficient.
• 🤖 AI-powered robots are capable of picking items with precision, even those they've never encountered before, using machine learning to improve over time.
• 👨‍💼 Humans collaborate with robots at goods-to-person (G2P) stations to handle items that robots cannot pick due to their shape or weight.
• 🚶‍♂️ The robots prevent human workers from having to walk long distances, reducing physical strain and allowing them to focus on packing and finalizing orders.
• 📦 For fast-moving items or promotional bundles, human workers manually pick from pallets, while robots carry the order totes to the packing stations.
• ⚡ Dynamic slotting is used for inventory storage, ensuring that items are placed in the optimal location for efficient retrieval by robots.
• 🛠️ The system is highly adaptable, with the ability to reconfigure stations for peak seasons or scale up operations without needing significant additional labor.
• 📦 An automated packaging machine is used to efficiently package the picked items, minimizing human intervention in the packing process.
• 💡 Brightpick's Intuition software optimizes robot workflows, manages inventory, and integrates with the warehouse management system (WMS) for seamless operations.
• 🔧 The warehouse layout is simple and scalable, with robots navigating via LiDAR and AI without the need for complex infrastructure like conveyors or safety fencing.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the Brightpick Autopicker robots in this warehouse?

The Brightpick Autopicker robots handle various tasks, including replenishing inventory, robotically picking orders, and preparing items for dispatch, all while operating 24/7 with minimal human intervention.

How many items can the warehouse handle per day with the use of Brightpick robots?

The warehouse is capable of picking 50,000 items per day using the Brightpick robots.

How does the AI technology enable the Brightpick robots to pick items?

The AI uses data from a 3D scanner to map out the items inside storage totes, determining the optimal picking point based on the size, shape, and form of each item. The robots can even pick items they have never encountered before.

What happens if a robot makes a mistake while picking an item?

If a robot fumbles a pick, it learns from the mistake through machine learning, which helps it improve its picking process in the future.

What role do human operators play in the Brightpick system?

Human operators are involved in tasks like assisting with goods-to-person (G2P) picking when robots cannot handle certain items, pallet picking for high-demand items, and replenishing inventory in storage.

What is the advantage of using goods-to-person (G2P) stations in the system?

G2P stations allow human operators to assist with picking items that robots cannot handle, ensuring zero idle time for robots. This setup enhances efficiency and reduces the need for manual walking and searching for items.

How does pallet picking work in this system?

For fast-moving items or bundles, human operators manually pick items from pallets and place them into order totes, which are then carried by robots for further processing. This method speeds up the picking process and simplifies inventory replenishment.

What is the function of the inventory buffering system in the warehouse?

The buffering system allows robots to temporarily store orders that are not immediately ready for packing, ensuring that the picking process continues smoothly overnight and helps balance order volumes during peak hours.

How does the Brightpick software optimize warehouse operations?

The Brightpick Intuition software orchestrates robot workflows, optimizes travel paths for speed and efficiency, tracks inventory, and integrates with the warehouse's WMS system to ensure smooth and efficient operations.

What safety features are in place for the robots in the warehouse?

The robots use LiDAR and AI to navigate autonomously with high precision, avoiding obstacles and stopping if they detect humans. This system eliminates the need for safety fencing, making it easy for employees to work alongside the robots without interrupting operations.