Do we need humanoid robots? Logistics prioritizes efficiency. Beauty only really matters in beauty pageants. Nevertheless, a market share of 10% for humanoids is possible. "smart" At Viastore's Intralogistics Days, there was certainly no doubt that the future is
Around 400 interested parties, from operators of smaller and manual warehouses, facilities with low turnover to logistics managers of large companies that deliver several hundred thousand order lines a day, came to Stuttgart in mid-April to take a look into the future of logistics.
In addition to a diverse program of lectures, live demonstrations, and an exhibition, several sessions focused on concrete applications. Topics ranged from the shop floor and control room to logistics management. For example, cloud services make plant data from PLC controllers usable. A "Warehouse Fitness Dashboard" displays the condition of the plant by recording malfunctions over time. Many of these tools are based on machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI).
As is well known, Viastore has been part of Toyota Industries Corporation (TICO), one of the world's largest providers of material handling and automated intralogistics solutions, since 2022. As part of this group of established intralogistics brands, Viastore benefits from extensive expertise, covering the entire spectrum of applications in warehouses and logistics centers. In addition to stacker cranes, pallet shuttles, and conveyor technology, the product range also includes control systems, such as those for monorail systems, and the HMI (Human Machine Interface) from viacontrol. The focus is always on high picking rates and maximum efficiency with minimal energy consumption.
Viastore emphasizes that its software is deeply integrated into users' business processes and, in a world increasingly reliant on IT security, is using a new term to promote itself, outlining a scenario characterized by VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity). Viastore claims to support its customers in managing the chaotic and unpredictable effects of global challenges.
Strict regulations apply to protect IT and OT (Operational Technology) systems from attacks. Viastore ensures that all systems comply with cybersecurity guidelines through IEC 62443 certification with an accredited partner. Autonomous and flexible systems are becoming increasingly important in intralogistics. Skilled labor shortages and limited space can be addressed, for example, through robot-assisted processes and automated high-bay warehouses. This should also ensure the long-term efficiency of brownfield sites.
Artificial intelligence, deep learning, and data mining will play an even greater role in controlling intralogistics systems in the future – across company boundaries and without proprietary solutions. This ranges from virtual commissioning and training to self-learning positioning systems and fully automated picking workstations. The challenge lies in precisely defining requirements so that the machine code performs the tasks correctly. Here, too, artificial intelligence can help by reading and understanding the code more effectively and thus supporting troubleshooting.
The consensus is that human-machine collaboration can be further improved through suitable interfaces. A study by the market research firm Gartner predicts that sales of humanoid robots in the intralogistics sector will reach ten percent within three years. Another example is the unloading of containers by industrial robots, particularly in the fashion and online retail industries, to significantly increase process speed.
