Automated Warehouses: From Person-to-Goods to Goods-to-Person

Today, Exotec’s advanced robots can retrieve any item from the warehouse in under two minutes, thanks to a fully integrated system of hardware and software automation. These innovations, which are redefining the future of warehousing, build on over a century of technological advancements. Here, we explore the most significant milestones, from the early Person-to-Goods approach to today’s Goods-to-Person logistics.

For over a hundred years, warehouses have evolved from Person-to-Goods to Goods-to-Person systems. This shift in logistics aims to optimise efficiency by delivering goods directly to operators. In other words, robots now bring products to people in automated warehouse settings. But how did we arrive here?

Warehouse automation may be at the forefront of today’s logistics, but its foundations are deeply rooted in the past. Our technologies stem from decades of mechanical and IT innovation. Here’s a timeline of key developments in intralogistics and robotics.

• Early 20th Century:
  Conveyor belts emerged in mines and automotive factories (notably led by Ford). These belts enabled the transportation of goods over short distances, using mechanical principles dating back to the 18th century.
• 1950s:
  The “Guide-O-Matic” appeared in a grocery warehouse, resembling a tractor that moved autonomously – the first AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) was born! Over the following years, more advanced AGVs were used in car production lines.
• 1980s:
  Computing technology, which had advanced dramatically, entered warehouses through the first WMS (Warehouse Management System), initially in the form of spreadsheets.
• 2000s:
  Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) began to rival AGVs. These robots could autonomously navigate and change routes, marking the start of the intelligent warehouse concept.

Discover the key differences between AGV and AMR robots in our detailed article.

• 2020’s:
  The term ‘logistics 4.0’ emerged, referring to supply chains digitised from end to end. Hardware and software now collaborate seamlessly in automated warehouses to enhance intralogistics efficiency. After more than a century of progress, warehouse automation is advancing at pace.

In an automated warehouse solution, goods are retrieved by dedicated robots and transported via conveyors to picking stations. What makes the Goods-to-Person logistics approach so beneficial?

• Increased Speed: In a GTP logistics automation system, robots can access any stored goods. For instance, Exotec’s picking robots can retrieve any item in under two minutes, ensuring a fast, efficient process.
• Improved Accuracy: As part of an intelligent warehouse system, GTP logistics reduce picking errors. Robots can conduct frequent stock inventories, helping identify and correct stock discrepancies in real time.
• Reduced Physical Strain: AMR robots transport goods across the warehouse, reducing the need for operators to cover long distances and handle heavy loads.
• More Space: Goods-to-Person (GTP) logistics solutions optimise storage, enabling storage at heights inaccessible to human operators, which saves significant space.

Learn more about how to optimise your warehouse through advanced automation solutions

Exotec’s automated warehouse solutions are ASRS (Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems), managing items from storage to picking stations, including both picking and conveyance. These systems are coordinated by sophisticated software that optimises performance and prioritises operations in real-time. Discover our cutting-edge SkyPod system!