High-density warehouses: Voice technology to optimize picking operations
Voice picking (also called pick by voice, voice-directed warehousing VDW or speech-based picking) is a technology that, using speech synthesis devices, is able to send simple and clear voice commands to the picking operator, indicating the path to follow and the activities to be carried out.
The voice picking system is considered the evolution of traditional digitalization with radio frequency terminals and allows optimizing logistics operations for order picking and preparation.
The operation and usefulness of the voice picking system are quite intuitive and directly depend on computer terminals. These are equipped with synthesizers and voice recognition systems. Being able to recognize the human voice, the device provides and receives instructions, establishing a “bidirectional communication” with the picking operator. It should be noted that voice picking can receive operator responses thanks to the multi-modal feedback system, thereby increasing flexibility in performing picking activities.
Every authorized operator has a terminal equipped with headphones and microphone that allows them to move freely (having hands free and being able to perform a greater number of operations (with higher quality)
Every authorized operator has a terminal equipped with headphones and microphone that allows them to move freely (having hands free and being able to perform a greater number of operations (with higher quality)
In practice, the system consists of a simple linguistic conversation. The operator receives instructions through their headset for picking an order (storage location, quantity, etc.) and continues to confirm, into their microphone, all completed actions.
Since everything happens with the aid of the headset, the operator does not need a paper picking list or a data collector, leaving eyes and hands free to perform picking more efficiently and without distractions. Moreover, thanks to the fact that hands and eyes are free, the risk of accidents involving the picker, both during product collection and movement, is significantly reduced. Additionally, voice picking is more comfortable and ergonomic, even for people with disabilities.
Being a very simple system to use, voice picking is quickly assimilated by the employee, eliminating long training sessions, which is no small matter since time spent is a source of cost and time saved is a source of profit. In other words, we can say that picking with voice picking eliminates physical obstacles and can increase productivity by up to 35%.
The system obviously aims at efficiency in terms of speed and quality of activities performed in warehouses, with particular reference to all those warehouses equipped with intensive storage, with narrow aisles and vertical extension of structures, and which therefore make the most of the warehouse surface area compared to direct access shelving.
The voice picking system is part of those process automation tools that help achieve a significant increase in productivity combined with a reduction in errors and rework. Since the employee does not need to touch the microphone and the portable terminal attached to the waist, there are fewer possibilities of device damage, which therefore requires little maintenance. In the end, this means lower costs and greater profitability for the company.