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.
Eliminating errors in Picking processes
Picking processes are defined as all activities of picking, sorting and distributing material from one load unit to several others. The efficiency of picking procedures can affect both the speed of component assembly in Production departments and the speed of order fulfillment in Warehouse and Logistics departments. Errors in the Picking phase can compromise production quality or correct order fulfillment. Picking is an activity that within the plant can employ various resources and spaces and consequently also impacts personnel safety. The need to safeguard health by maintaining correct posture and avoiding “path accidents” in goods transport makes Picking operations today the subject of study and improvement within technologies useful for optimizing processes in Production, Warehouse and Logistics departments. In particular, there are two applications widely used today in Picking process management:
- Voice Picking: through voice-pick systems the picking operator receives instructions via headset through audio messages. Technology widely used in warehouses where there is high personnel turnover due to sales seasonality and training time for new staff is very limited.
- Pick-to-light: This technology uses LED displays to indicate to the operator the shelf, SKU and quantity of items to pick. Technology widespread in E-Commerce Logistics and Manufacturing Industry in material preparation areas for assembly.
FasThink, an Italian company specialized in consulting and technological support to Large Industry, in the Digital Transformation journey has introduced to the market a new wireless system for Picking process management.We talk about it with Marco Marella General Manager of FasThink:
FasThink, an Italian company specialized in consulting and technological support to Large Industry, in the Digital Transformation journey has introduced to the market a new wireless system for Picking process management.We talk about it with Marco Marella General Manager of FasThink:
P2Light is a picking system that through light signals guides the operator to the locations from which to pick the material. P2Light touchless is the smart and innovative evolution, unique in its kind, thanks to bidirectional RF communication that simplifies system integration without cabling costs.
Particularly suitable for e-commerce logistics, automotive and manufacturing applications where speed and precision are fundamental requirements for maximum efficiency in production processes. P2Light touchless represents an incredible step forward toward the future of logistics, thanks to a system that ensures absolute performance in warehouse picking.
With the new touchless version, material picking and validation occur simultaneously, without the need to press keys, avoiding contact with keypads or handheld devices.
The significant reduction of errors in kit preparation phase and downtime from manual errors make P2Light touchless a perfect system that also guarantees maximum flexibility for any modification of light signal positioning without any structural changes. Fast, intuitive and sustainable, it does not require paper supports and this also represents a step forward toward dematerialization to accelerate the transition to full sustainable digital. The device has a 70 mt range, touchless detection photocell, e-ink graphic display, high-efficiency LED and additional functions such as battery monitoring (which can thus last up to five years). P2Light touchless is a reliable and low-consumption tool that can operate for a long time.
A case study concerns Garnet company that chose to rely on FasThink to innovate its logistics and production processes.
A case study concerns Garnet company that chose to rely on FasThink to innovate its logistics and production processes.
Garnet, importer and distributor of electrical and electromechanical components for automation, robotics and automotive markets, present in Italy since 1997 and headquartered in Concorezzo (MB), decided to innovate its logistics and production processes, relying on FasThink. Garnet’s goal was to reduce risks related to product management errors, while optimizing and improving the picking process dedicated to preparing kits for production.
“To respond to the request to move goods from the kit preparation station to production, avoiding manual errors, we developed a custom application, combining the P2Light picking system with Omron’s mobile robot and Garnet’s management software acting as director”, explains Marco Marella, “Being an Omron Solution Partner allows us to extend our solutions also to the rapidly growing mobile robotics sector and position our company in high-level integration of innovative technologies as happened with this application designed for Garnet.”
The application developed by FasThink enabled real-time monitoring of data related to logistics and production processes, generating significant improvement and reduction of production and logistics management times.