Robotics in the Cold Chain and Logistics Industries
Ever since the cold chain and logistics industry has undergone a technological transformation, the terms Robotics and Artificial Intelligence have been trending all the while. We all know that these two things are leading in almost all industries, but what extraordinary things do they perform in the field of cold chain and the logistics sector? We will find out in this blog.
What are the Cold Chain and Logistics Industries?
The Cold Chain and Logistics Industries are a sector that is responsible for protecting the quality and safety standards of perishable items, whether stagnant or in transit. All of this is done by maintaining an ideal temperature. The cold chain and logistics industry is a vital part of food, pharmaceutical, chemical, cosmetics, and many other sectors.
To have a better understanding of how the cold chain and logistics industry contribute to the food industry, read: Cold Chain in the Meat Industry.
Robotics in the Cold Chain and Logistics Sector
Robots play a vital role in almost all industries, so how could the cold chain and logistics industry have stayed behind? Tasks that require a lot of human intervention are now performed by robots and AI, and they are ideal for temperature control, inventory management, order picking, product tracing, damage control, product packaging, and material handling. This marks a significant shift in robotics in refrigerated logistics, especially in the Gulf, where automation is key for operating in extreme climate conditions.
When were Robots and AI Introduced in the Cold Chain and Logistics Sector?
According to a report, 2010 marked the year when the cold chain and logistics industry began integrating AI-powered robotics and automation.
They helped warehouse managers in warehouses and distribution centres in the form of autonomous vehicles for material handling, drones, and robotic arms.
Today, warehouse automation in the Middle East is at its peak with robots like Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR), Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV), Robotic Arms, Drones, and many more.
3 Ways in which Robotics in the Cold Chain and Logistics Industry is Helping this Industry Grow to Another Level
1. Double the Speed, Cuts the Cost - The robotics and Automation techniques have proven to be far more efficient than human labour in the cold chain and logistics industry, where they have not only accelerated the operations but also helped maintain efficiency and sustainability.
Robots often perform the tasks, including picking the order, packing, placing and labelling quite efficiently -the reason being their repetitive nature, which otherwise would have required a huge time commitment. The automation in robots allows reduced labour cost and accuracy as the same tasks in done daily.
Moreover, another thing that makes robotics in the cold chain and logistics industry a wonderful addition is its tireless nature. Unlike humans, robots do not get tired at all.
Last but not least, what makes the the most efficient is that robots can work in cold storage and endure harsh and cold temperatures inside the warehouse.
2. Checks for Losses - Robots and automation in the supply chain keep a close eye on the shipment and see to it that they are delivered promptly in a suitable environment. This is done through AI-powered inventory tracking that is solely responsible for checking for the material in the inventory so that they don't go out of stock and eliminate the counting error, while robots, on the other hand, assist in accurately packing products for dispatch. Read: The Role of Robots in the Supply Chain Planning.
3. Consistent Temoerature Control - Robots not only check if an ideal temperature is maintained in the cold chain and logistics sector but also closely monitores how many time the door of the warehouse is being opened, what is the temperature then, amount of heat flow and then at last provides detailed insights of possible losses if any.
To conclude, we see that robots in the cold chain and logistics industry have a significant role to play, and we must promote them.