About the Company
- Industry: Warehousing & Logistics
- Warehouse Size: 4,000 m²
- Number of Robots: 10
- Number of Employees: 3
- Implemented Solutions: Navigine Tracking, Ultra-Wideband (UWB)
The Problem
Inefficient Warehouse Navigation and Route Overlaps
Presently, warehouses invest in automating and using robotics to fulfil orders. Inevitably, these machines will work alongside people in the warehouse, and this could create inefficiencies in the movements, collisions, and workflow disruptions from both parties. Without an accurate tracking system, shared routes were difficult to manage, resulting in delays and increased downtime.
Safety Risks in a Mixed Workforce Environment
The sharing of the same workplace by employees and robots raises safety concerns. This poses a challenge to predict their movement patterns in real time, which would significantly increase accidents and bottlenecks in the operation.
Operational Downtime Affecting Productivity
Due to inefficient routing and unexpected slowdowns caused by route conflicts, the warehouse experienced avoidable downtime, affecting overall order fulfillment rates. A solution was needed to optimize navigation and ensure seamless collaboration between employees and robots.
The Goals of the Solution
The primary objectives of implementing a UWB-based employee and robot tracking system were:
- Real-Time Employee and Robot Tracking: Achieve precise monitoring of workforce and robotic movement.
- Route Optimization: Design navigation paths that prevent human-robot collisions and improve efficiency.
- Safety Enhancement: Minimize risks by creating well-defined movement zones.
- Increased Productivity: Reduce downtime and improve daily order processing rates.
The Solution Offered
A high-precision tracking system developed by Navigine, utilizing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology, was deployed to manage real-time employee and robot movement. It was designed to optimize routes, improve safety, and maximize operational efficiency within the warehouse, enabling more fluid collaboration within the environment.
The Solution Implementation
The UWB-based tracking system was incorporated into the warehouse and is meant to further enhance the efficiency of movements while ensuring safety:
- Real-Time Positioning: UWB tags were assigned to both employees and robots, enabling precise tracking with 1-meter accuracy.
- Automated Route Optimization: The system dynamically adjusted robot navigation to avoid human pathways and vice versa.
- Collision Prevention Mechanism: Alerts were implemented to notify employees and robots of potential intersections, minimizing safety risks.
- Analytics Dashboard: Managers gained insights into movement patterns, allowing for continuous operational improvements.
At last, a centralized dashboard was provided, displaying real-time location, suggested routes, and efficiency metrics to ensure the optimal operation of warehouse activities.
Key Advantages of Warehouse Employee and Robot Tracking
- High Precision: Achieves 1-meter accuracy, significantly improving location tracking.
- Enhanced Safety: Automated route planning minimizes the risks associated with human-robot interaction.
- Reduced Downtime: Optimized navigation improves workflow efficiency.
- Real-Time Visibility: Live monitoring of employee and robot movements.
- Actionable Insights: Analytics-driven optimization of warehouse operations.
Results
- Increased Daily Operations by 3% due to reduced downtime and efficient routing.
- Enhanced Safety Measures leading to a more secure working environment.
- Optimized Workforce & Robot Collaboration through intelligent path planning.
- Enhanced Overall Efficiency through Seamless Human-Robot Interactions.
UWB-based tracking has greatly improved the operational efficiency and safety of the warehouse. This advanced tracking solution has enabled real-time tracking, automated route adjustments, and essential insights into streamlining warehouse logistics.
Are you trying to optimize your warehouse operations? Contact us here today, and discover the UWB-based tracking solutions we have for you!
