We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • Parcel Forum 2022
    • MODEX 2022
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Robots on the rise
BIG PICTURE

Robots on the rise

The number of robots used in distribution has increased during the pandemic. Their ranks will only continue to grow as distributors realize the many benefits they offer.

April 13, 2021
David Maloney
No Comments

It has been just over 100 years since the term “robot” entered our lexicon. As many of you probably know, the word was first used in the 1920 theatrical production, R.U.R. (Rossum’s Universal Robots), by Czech playwright Karel Čapek. He credited his brother Josef for the term, which was based on the Slavic word robota, meaning “forced laborer.”

In the play, robots are soulless, humanlike artificial factory workers created from synthetic organic materials—more like the robots in HBO’s “Westworld” than the industrial variety we know and love. This slave robot class created leisure time for their masters and allowed products to be manufactured at one-fifth the cost of those made by humans. Definitely distant science fiction then. Still quite a bit out there now, but somewhat closer—minus, of course, the synthetic organic materials part.

Also unlike the play, today’s robots have not necessarily created more leisure time in our factories and DCs, but they have certainly helped them become more productive. They have not necessarily replaced human workers but, rather, have augmented the work that people do, assuming the mundane and repetitive tasks that humans are increasingly reluctant to perform. Figures released in January by the Robotic Industries Association and the Association for Advancing Automation showed that even with the recession, robot sales in North America rose to more than $1.5 billion in 2020, 3.5% above 2019 figures

More than ever, robots are coming into their own. And for the first time, non-automotive robot orders surpassed those in the long-dominant automotive sector.

The pandemic has driven home the importance of DC automation during times when a regular labor force isn’t readily available. Robots kept working, keeping productivity high and essential products moving.

Robots have also demonstrated their ability to collaborate with human co-workers. They lift heavy loads and bring products directly to the humans, reducing travel time and fatigue while assuring speed and accuracy. Their use also promotes social distancing as it allows workers to spread out. It doesn’t matter how many robots bunch up in one work area. They don’t even need to wear masks on the job.

Robots are here to stay and will continue to find new applications in distribution and logistics operations.

And in case you’re wondering how the play R.U.R. ends, the humanoid robots, which have been given the power to reason, rebel against their human masters and pretty much wipe everyone out. I don’t think we have to worry about that happening with our facility robots, at least not anytime soon. Just be sure to treat them with kindness and respect.

Material Handling Robotics
  • Related Articles

    Report: Mobile robotics on the rise in retail

    The Logistics Matters podcast: What's next for the USPS?; interest in TMS on the rise; the effects of Hurricane Laura | Season 1 Episode 21

    Warehouse robotics on the rise

Davidmaloney
David Maloney has been a journalist for more than 35 years and is currently the group editorial director for DC Velocity and Supply Chain Quarterly magazines. In this role, he is responsible for the editorial content of both brands of Agile Business Media. Dave joined DC Velocity in April of 2004. Prior to that, he was a senior editor for Modern Materials Handling magazine. Dave also has extensive experience as a broadcast journalist. Before writing for supply chain publications, he was a journalist, television producer and director in Pittsburgh. Dave combines a background of reporting on logistics with his video production experience to bring new opportunities to DC Velocity readers, including web videos highlighting top distribution and logistics facilities, webcasts and other cross-media projects. He continues to live and work in the Pittsburgh area.

Recent Articles by David Maloney

Is data fact?

InPerson interview: Rob McKeel of Fortna

In Person: Steve Beverly of Penske

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Schneider welcomes first battery-electric truck

  • Fred Smith is not worried about Amazon

  • RJW LOGISTICS GROUP EXPANDS RETAIL LOGISTICS OPERATION TO DALLAS

  • Outlook 2023: What’s in store for logistics/supply chain?

  • Ports, maritime operators see tide turning as ocean freight tsunami subsides

Now Playing on DCV-TV

5afe63a5 7125 4318 b851 1e5738df1c91

Patterson Fan Co. | HVLS V-Series Ceiling Fan | Staging Area Air Movement

DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
The Patterson V-Series is a high-volume, low-speed industrial ceiling fan that is designed to circulate a lot of air at a very low speed. ​These fans, ranging in diameters of 8’ all the way to 24’, are perfect for large, open spaces such as staging and shipping areas. One 24’ fan can generate a cooling effect of 6...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • The five best applications for robotic lift trucks in warehouse environments

  • Fulfillment Facility Improved Efficiencies by 4x

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • Reusable Packaging for the New Wave of Supply Chain Automation

View More

Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing