Robots and the last mile

News Technology

Autonomous solutions can help the last mile develop and become more efficient. Very often companies are deploying them at the very end of the goods’ journey but warehouses can also become a spot where last mile is being optimised. The Logistics Point spoke to Herbert ten Have, CEO of Fizyr about automation and the last mile. Fizyr will take part in our Last Mile Month Event this October.

How can robots help the picking process and increase revenue?

Robots can take over repetitive chores, allowing human labour to focus on value-adding tasks. Once these repetitive tasks of picking and placing items are automated, it can improve job accuracy, reduce chances of any discrepancies, and cut costs. Incorporating an intuitive cutting-edge software and training the robots to fulfil predetermined tasks can easily get the work going, round the clock, at any time of the day, without any limitations of workers taking sick leaves. Getting the robots to help automate the picking process is a great investment in technology that ensures the job gets done without a single day off, supporting the warehouse staff in improving overall job efficiency, and meeting the growing consumer expectations at any time of the day.

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What solutions are based suited for last mile operations?

When a customer places an order online, they would either get it delivered at their doorstep or pick it up from the warehouse. Either way, the choice depends on their convenience. The last mile solution ensures the staff has the final order delivery information way ahead of time to manage shipping hassles, reduce delivery time and associated costs, and provide a smooth customer experience.

Last mile solution could also involve a person fulfilling the job to ensure flexible delivery, where the customer can change location and time on the go.

Herbert ten Have, CEO of Fizyr

One of the last mile solutions could be to pick up the product from the collection point, scan the barcode and walk the last mile, i.e., to the doorstep. By contrast, the last mile solution could also involve a person fulfilling the job to ensure flexible delivery, where the customer can change location and time on the go, and follow a self-service delivery model. Another advanced way could be a curbside pickup, where the Autonomous last-mile delivery robots could assist in delivering the package, independent or accompanied by delivery managers, to complete the job faster.

What should companies know when choosing a solution?

It is imperative for companies to understand the type of item to be picked by a robot in a certain environment. They must know if the robot would only be trained to pick small white envelopes or will they also require to pick a box of wine? Where does it need to pick the item and where are they supposed to place it? Once they recognize the variations in items or parcels to be picked, moved and placed, it can help determine the right components required, both hardware and software, to carry out a job. Besides picking the item, how and where would they require the robot to place the item is just as significant in opting for an appropriate solution.

Fizyr’s Freek Smoes will be part of a panel discussion on the last mile and warehousing this 5th October. Join us now!

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