Exel to test “vision picking” technology in U.S. warehouses
Contract logistics provider Exel, part of the Deutsche Post DHL group, is set to test “vision picking” technology in two of its US warehouses later this year.
Warehouse workers will be equipped with “smart glass” eyeware which can read bar codes and show the fastest route to find products – doing away with the need for hand-held scanners and paper job orders.
As previously reported, DHL has already run “vision picking” tests in a warehouse in the Netherlands which showed that the technology has significant potential.
In a January statement, DHL said: “The pilot proved that augmented reality offers added value to logistics and resulted in a 25% efficiency increase during the picking process.”
Commenting on the results of the European study, Jan-Willem De Jong, Business Unit Director Technology, DHL Supply Chain Benelux, said: “Vision picking enables hands free order picking and greatly increases productivity. The technology significantly supports our staff and brings exciting value to our customers. However, this is just the first step in our innovation journey as we believe augmented reality will become relevant for even more supply chain areas.”
To learn more about innovations impacting supply chains, read the 2015 MHI Annual Industry Report and plan to attend the 2015 MHI Executive Summit & Annual Conference October 4-7.
