Future-Proofing Warehouses: Upskilling for the AI Revolution
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
Warehouses have long served as test labs for automation. In 1962, MHI member Demag installed the first automated storage and retrieval system at a book club warehouse in Germany. From there, innovation led to the complex Warehouse Management Systems that rule facilities today. As we careen into the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, warehouse workers will once again be among the first to witness technological disruption.
Although there are fears that automation will lead to job loss, current research suggests that AI in warehouses and distribution centers is likely to facilitate job transition. If firms embrace reskilling and upskilling, they can improve existing employees’ roles, bolster morale and spur new, higher-value jobs.
A Worker Shortage is Driving AI Adoption
Warehouse and distribution center workers have co-existed with robotic arms and autonomous vehicles for decades, but the rising crop of AI-powered automation is game-changing. Equipped with sensors that process data, these robots can respond to data in real-time. For example, instead of sticking to a set path, robots using AI can move to avoid colliding with a human…
