Warehouse Wearables Delivering New Opportunities for Operational Efficiency
Article from MHI Solutions Magazine
Wearable technologies for warehouse and distribution center operations have been around for more than a decade, but it’s only in the last five years, as the tech has matured, that their adoption has become more widespread and real‑world efficiencies are being seen.
Wearables for picking and/or putting come in a variety of configurations. They include lightweight devices that are worn as rings, mounted on gloves, secured on the wrist like a smartwatch or even as glasses. In these forms, they improve workers’ safety, mobility and flexibility by allowing the use of both hands for picking and other tasks.
Other wearable technologies include exoskeletons, which enhance workers’ ability to handle heavy loads or to place items in hard‑to‑reach locations. The use of exoskeletons reduces the risk of back, shoulder and other muscle injuries. Smart helmets, equipped with sensors and communications technologies, can send alerts when workers fall or are too tired to perform tasks safely…
