Machines that imitate (or outdo) humans have been the subject of fascination and mistrust for a long time. One of the most intriguing and scandalous examples was the chess-playing Mechanical Turk in the 1770s, which was apparently an automaton able to beat any chess master. It turned out to be a hoax —there was a man hidden inside. But in a way, it presaged the true future of robotics, because it combined human and mechanical capabilities. Indeed, in today’s distribution center, with the availability of far more sophisticated technology, some of the most dramatic benefits are achieved when humans and robots work in symphony.
The truth is, we need robots. Fulfillment centers across the country face an urgent need to get more efficient. The mainstream press is full of horror stories about what happens when you push humans to pick, pack and ship more and more inventory. On top of that, the rise in e-commerce means a greater rate of returned goods, which are traditionally more of a headache to receive, unpack and put back in the warehouse. Add to that the lowest unemployment rate since 1969, which translates into dire labor shortages in crucial areas where retailers have positioned their DCs, and you have a serious problem. Even if robots were limited to the same capabilities as humans, they would be an attractive proposition.
But they don’t just fill in labor shortages and shift-length gaps. Robots present significant advantages that, combined with human brain and brawn, make for a far more efficient operation that improves the lives of workers, too.
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