Robots Struggle to Match Warehouse Workers on ‘Really Hard’ Jobs The machines can load and unload trucks, move goods and do other repetitive tasks but are stymied by some, like picking items from a pile.

 

Robots are taking over more and more warehouse tasks, but they're not there yet.

• Amazon's Cardinal robot can stack boxes like Tetris, and Proteus robots move carts around.
• Robots can already load and unload trucks, move pallets, and pick items from the top of a pile.
• However, robots struggle with tasks that require reaching into bins and grabbing specific items.
• Warehouses are still big employers, with nearly 1.8 million people working in the US.
• Robots are ideal for repetitive tasks, which can be physically demanding and have high turnover.
• DHL uses the Stretch robot to unload trucks twice as fast as a human can.
• Amazon says robots allow humans to focus on more important tasks.
• New Amazon warehouses process packages 25% faster and cheaper with robots.
• Robots like Locus at DHL can reduce the amount of walking workers have to do.
• AI is helping robots learn to identify and avoid obstacles.
• Solving some problems, like blind spots on forklifts, can be done with simpler solutions like adding sensors.

Overall, robots are making warehouses more efficient, but they're not replacing humans entirely. They're better suited for repetitive tasks, while humans are still needed for more complex ones.