Augmented Reality (AR) technologies are becoming more and more prevalent in a variety of use cases, in both consumer and corporate settings. We recently explored their utility for consumer purposes as a means by which to virtually “try on” everything from jackets to lipstick, and even get a preview of how a new couch would look in your living room. This not only helps customers better determine which products are best fit for them, it also allows companies to showcase their wares more efficiently and conveniently than ever before. The value of AR isn’t just felt at the end-user purchase point, however, as it can be applied further up the supply chain. Today, we’ll take a look at its use in warehouses, particularly how it can significantly expedite the picking process, among other benefits.

Types of AR

There are two general categories of AR technology applicable to warehouses important to keep in mind in this discussion. The first is more traditional AR tech, often wearable or handheld devices used by workers on the floor. Examples include headsets, smart glasses, and other heads-up display (HUD) technologies that guide workers through warehouse rows and provide information on individual stacks and SKUs. Smart glasses have proven particularly impactful, as a DHL study found that implementing this wearable AR technology into the picking process led to a 25% efficiency boost. Much of this technology has been available and increasingly utilized in warehouse operations, among other fields, for the past decade, and the efficiency gains garnered by broader adoption have proven significant.

The DHL study specifically cites the importance of wearable technology in allowing workers to maneuver and operate in a truly hands-free manner, having important information displayed right before their eyes as opposed to the now seemingly archaic methods of carrying a clipboard or tablet in one hand, and picking with the other. Beyond the simple mechanics of having two hands available to performs the tasks required by the manual demands of the job, and the efficiency gains therein, notable time is saved by not having to set down, shift, or otherwise relocate said clipboard or tablet at each picking location. These time savings and efficiency gains are noticeable over the course of a single day, let alone a week or even months after implementing the technology.

More recently, another type of AR technology has started to gain traction in warehouses, that of projected AR. Companies promoting the tech argue that this newer development offers an even more truly hands-free alternative to wearables, as it utilizes overlays instead of HUD. By projecting information onto the physical space of the warehouse, workers can avoid any potential discomfort from extended use of wearable technology and avoid the technical failures that may occur in the process of handling smart glasses on a daily basis, or even simpler problems such as charging batteries. The concept also implies easier sharing of information between warehouse workers, as two people looking at the same overlay receive the same information, avoiding potential communication problems that could occur via wearables experiencing network issues or displaying conflicting information. Regardless of which AR technology is chosen, traditional or projected, warehouses utilizing them are bound to reap the benefits.

Specific Enhancements

Beyond general efficiency gains, AR technology offers improvements in a variety of areas that contribute to the productivity and safety of warehouse operations. Optimized picking routes, whether displayed on smart glasses or projected onto the warehouse floor, guide workers to each picking location more quickly than ever before. AI technology used in route optimization in other fields, including shipping routes, should lead to advancements in this short-distance, interior routing in the long-term as well, as models get fed evermore specific and precise data and improve.

The connectivity of AR technology also allows for the most up-to-date information to be displayed at all times. Picking prioritization and inventory restocks can be better managed with the availability of real-time inventory updates and expiration notices made possible by AR implementation. This offers a boon to safety as well, as hazard alerts can be displayed prominently so that workers are made immediately aware of areas to avoid or address, and routes can be instantly altered to avoid new obstacles. The precise location of items to be picked can also be displayed by AR, making picking easier and less strenuous for workers. Both wearable and projected AR have proven fully capable of providing these benefits, enhancing efficiency and workplace safety.

Additionally, an unprecedented level of personalization is made available with AR implementation. Workers can input personal preferences, from language to information organization, into their AR devices to create an experience that reduces hassle and, crucially, errors. By being able to design interfaces best suited to their individual needs, optimized for their working and learning styles, AR can provide smoother and more productive environments in which workers can thrive. AI has also shown promise in learning from individual worker habits, and optimizing workflows and information displays based on their routines and traits, making adjustments to better fit the individual patterns each worker possesses.

When paired with the automation technologies already being implemented in warehouses across the globe, explored in our article here, AR will only beget greater efficiency and productivity. This will not only improve companies’ bottom lines, but increase worker satisfaction and safety, helping to create better warehouses necessary for a future fully reliant on them.

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