https://www.logisticsmatter.

com/2020/11/11/robots-to-the-rescue/

Robots To The Rescue

COVID-19 has transformed the way we conduct our daily lives and with this, the use of

robotics has expanded beyond the walls of warehouses and distribution centres (DCs).

Due to advances in technology, we’re now seeing robots delivering at the last mile to get

orders to consumers without compromising health and safety. With restaurant and

convenience store orders already being delivered by robots in some parts of the UK, how

can other retailers and sectors adopt this level of automation too?

Robotics in Supply Chains

The use of robotics and automation technology in warehouses or DCs certainly isn’t new.

Retailers across the globe have been perfecting the balance of man (and woman) and

machine for some time to increase efficiencies, reduce errors and make this particular part

of the supply chain seamless.

In fact, the use of robotics has grown exponentially over time from the first introduction of

this technology in the automobile plant industry. Now, a wide range of factories,

laboratories, warehouses, energy plants, hospitals and other industries are reliant on

robotics and automation.

Today’s warehouses and DCs need to ensure flexibility, scalability and reduced reliance on

temporary or unreliable labour pools to meet their operational requirements (especially

when eCommerce demand is so high) and introducing automation and robotics is the

perfect way to achieve that.

With the use of robotics and automated processes within warehouses and DCs, retailers can

process eCommerce orders far more quickly and safely, rather than relying purely on

manual pickers. By strategically implementing automation and robotics, supply chains can
work around the clock without having to delay deliveries, while still staying true to customer

expectations.

Within a warehouse, however, it is still necessary to complement automation with human

employees to perform certain tasks that robots are simply not yet able to do.

Move further along the supply chain, to the delivery end and it’s a different picture, with last

mile delivery having been transformed in the last five years. The question is, should

warehouses follow the lead? Is now the time for lessons to be passed back through the

supply chain and for retailers to use more ‘machine’ than ‘man’ to ensure employee safety

and operational efficiency?

Beyond the Warehouse

Acknowledging the benefits of robotics and automation technology within the warehouse,

many retailers are now starting to consider how this technology can be used within their

stores and beyond. In  

particular, robots have been used in the recent months as a completely contactless-free

delivery methods to ensure local communities and vulnerable people are still able to get

goods delivered to their door.

Certainly, at the moment, removing ‘man’ element from the whole man and machine

equation is one way to keep consumers and employees safe and it has given retailers a

glimpse at what the future of delivery might look like. But is this a sustainable method for

retailers? And will we see an expanded uptake of this beyond local areas or the supermarket

sector?

A Personal Touch

COVID-19 has accelerated questions around the use of robotics and automation and shone a

spotlight on existing businesses and retail models. As retailers begin to introduce further

automation into their supply chains and (increasingly) beyond, the million-dollar question is
this: will retail more generally embrace robotics and automation on a wider scale post

COVID-19?

Ultimately, supply chains are fuelled by people and a human touch will always be required.

However, as technology becomes more sophisticated and consumer habits and business

practices to evolve, only time will tell how intrinsically important robotics and automation

will become beyond the warehouse environment.