Automation,
Efficiency increase
Safety is a basic human need. This is especially true for people who are involved in potentially dangerous and physically challenging work processes with a correspondingly high probability of accidents, such as logistics. For them, any significant safety increase means enormous relief, to which automation can make a huge contribution. Here is a compact summary of exactly how this can be achieved.
Safety as a crucial factor
Physical and mental health is closely linked to feelings of security and satisfaction, which in turn create security and satisfaction. In other words, those who work under constant pressure of danger or accident make mistakes all the easier, which in turn endanger their own as well as general safety. The result can be accidents at work with serious consequences. In addition, heavy physical work increases the risk of chronic wear and tear, which not only has a negative impact on job performance, but of course also on the overall satisfaction of the individual.
Safety as a business factor
Thus, the issue of safety also greatly impacts your company's business "health". Of course, no one can guarantee 100% security. Nevertheless, the correlations clearly show that employers should do everything possible to offer their employees the greatest possible internal safety. For the benefit of all. And this is precisely where automation solutions, especially in robotics, offer incomparably efficient and sustainable safety solutions.
Highest safety standards using the example of AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots)
In general, automation systems in transport and intralogistics serve to relieve your employees by having the former take over monotonous and not directly value-adding, as well as potentially dangerous and/or physically demanding tasks. In this way, they ensure significantly greater safety and the greatest efficiency regarding storage and delivery of goods.
Special systems such as AMRs - "Autonomous Mobile Robots" - are distinguished from other solutions by their reliable and outstanding safety technology. This makes them particularly suitable for collaborative use with other vehicles and people, with whom they share the routes and connections. This is ensured by special sensors and control systems.
If an AMR encounters an obstacle, for example, it brakes proactively and in accordance with its load so that the braking process does not cause it to unbalance or even fall.
It then independently checks the situation according to the following scenarios:
+ If there is plenty of space to take avoiding action, he continues on his way after the avoiding maneuver.
+ If avoidance is not possible, he searches for an alternative route.
In all these cases, it communicates simultaneously with the other AMRs in the fleet, which in turn draw the appropriate conclusions and calculate alternative routes. Inflexible systems such as conveyor systems are not comparable in terms of such flexibility and the use of predictive safety systems.
Verified safety
Autonomous systems are developed and tested with the utmost care and based on appropriate processes regarding their largely autonomous operation. In addition, the safety of such systems is confirmed by external testing institutes.
The aspect of safety occupies a central position in connection with automatic and, in particular, autonomous logistics systems. Particularly because all the other benefits of automation are directly or indirectly linked to safety.
Thus, the automation of intralogistics also leads to a significant increase in efficiency, demonstrably helps to reduce costs, minimizes the fluctuation of your employees, and gives you a market advantage over others through flexibility.
You can get an overview of how and on which other levels automation generates immediate profitable advantages in the free whitepaper, which is available exclusively for you to download here.
