Warehouses have been getting more advanced over the last ten years or so, and many experts predict within the next decade, they won’t need much human interaction at all. This is amazing news for business owners, but a terrible revelation for those unskilled workers who simply want to earn a crust without starting their own companies. Still, it’s all very exciting, which is why the post you’re reading has been written. Over the next few paragraphs, we’ll take a look at some of the technology that will replace human beings in the future, and I’ll attempt to explain exactly what it does.
This progression should be seen as a positive thing really, as it means companies that rely on warehousing will save a lot of money that could be better spent on other things. Also, the changes have to potential to create interesting roles outside of the warehouse, and so there’s no guarantee the job market will suffer. Obviously, if you live in an area where opportunities are scarce, and the only main employer operates within this industry, you might have a hard time finding work.
Automated Picking Systems
At the moment, most warehouse owners employ a lot of people to pick ordered items ready for delivery. This takes a long time, as most of them will be spread out across the entire premises. However, with the rise of automated picking systems will come a decreased need for workers in this role. The information from each order will be fed into a computer system which will then inform robot arms and automated racking to tip specific items onto a conveyor belt located nearby. The products will then become grouped together at the end ready for packing.
Automated Wrapping / Packing Systems
Many people who work in warehouse environments still have to shrink wrap their own pallets, but this is no longer called for. Thanks to specialist firms that supply automated shrink wrap machines and other modern industrial process equipment to suit your business, this job can be completed in half the time without the need for any human interaction. In the near future, this technology will improve and become intertwined with the picking systems, thus creating a fully automated process. This is the perfect time to buy turntable wrapping equipment that is efficient and eco-friendly.
Automated Loading Machines
When all the picking, packing and wrapping has been completed, the only job left involves loading the orders onto lorries or vans ready for delivery. Again, for the last fifty years this has been done by human workers, but in the future they simply won’t be needed. Conveyor belts and moving floors will transport the packed items to the loading bay and place them in the correct position. Then, a driver will come along and move the products onto his/her wagon. This will save warehousing owners thousands of hours of labour each and every year.
So, after reading through all that information, are we to assume businesses who operate in this industry will have better transport service in Melbourne? Almost certainly. Will this mean the job market will suffer at the hands of technology yet again? That remains to be seen. As I mentioned earlier, all this technology requires maintenance, so the implementation of it could actually create careers rather than destroy them.
Thanks for reading!
