"VkusVill" began replacing humans with robots to inventory goods in huge warehouses. PHOTO

On August 16, 2024, VkusVill announced the launch of the company's first innovative robot inventory. It is being "run in" at the Domodedovo distribution center. The launch is intended to change the approach to inventory management, ensuring high accuracy, safety and speed of inventory. The company notes that this project, developed by Avtomakon, is an important step in the development of warehouse logistics.

VkusVille clarified to TAdviser that the area of ​ ​ the Domodedovo warehouse is 110 thousand square meters. m., and said that further plans to launch a new technology in the Veshki distribution center with an area of ​ ​ 109 thousand square meters. m.

At the time of launch, the robot still works only in the long-term storage chamber, and the inventory in the frozen and cooled product section is still carried out by warehouse employees classically manually, the company told TAdviser.

source = "VkusVill"

The robot inventory is a special vehicle equipped with a telescopic mast and video cameras that allow you to read QR codes on goods located at all levels of racks. The AI video analytics system using neural network algorithms instantly processes the received data, compares it with cell data and integrates it with the warehouse management system (WMS).

The robot mast consists of five sections that can rise to a height of up to 12 meters, which allows you to scan goods, including on the uppermost shelves of the warehouse. The mast lifting mechanism is equipped with an electric drive for the speed and convenience of changing the scanning height.

The robot software, developed specifically for this project, integrates with existing warehouse control systems. The robot can work in conjunction with a pallet carrier warehouse robot or other traction device, such as a forklift. To do this, an attachment is provided at the base of the inventory, which provides a quick and easy connection to any forklift, which allows the robot to independently move around the warehouse.

The robot is powered by an AGM battery or external source, while it is also equipped with a 45000 mAh backup battery that provides up to 2 hours of battery life. This allows you to carry out inventory without stopping the warehouse, which increases the overall efficiency of the distribution center.

source = "VkusVill"

One robot inventory will allow you to abandon 50 employees and 15 richtraks in one such warehouse, which were previously involved in a large-scale inventory once a month. Drivers for richtrak are a highly paid role, the company notes. Now the inventory is passing through the warehouse every night, and there is no need for a large inventory with a warehouse stop, TAdviser explained in VkusVilla. We only need operators who control the robot inventory, and several employees to check and analyze the results of cell scanning.

The only thing is that the robot does not recalculate the number of goods. That is, he compares QR codes and the fact that goods are placed in their cells. The robot recalculates precisely the "pallet places." On a daily basis, it helps adjust what is going to be shipped and improves the build quality.

The advantages of introducing a robot inventory, which are called in the company: accounting automation, speed and accuracy, continuity of work, security. The robot inventory eliminates the need for manual recalculation of goods, which significantly reduces the likelihood of errors and speeds up the inventory process. The use of AI and video analytics allows you to reduce inventory time and ensure high accuracy of accounting, which is especially important for large warehouse complexes. The robot can work without stopping warehouse operations, which avoids downtime and increases productivity. Automation reduces the need for human involvement in potentially dangerous operations such as working at height, which improves overall safety in the warehouse.

source = "VkusVill"

In addition to plans to scale robotic inventory to other storage areas, VkusVill is also considering commercializing the technology, offering it to other players in the logistics and warehouse real estate markets. This opens up new prospects for the business, allowing not only to optimize internal processes, but also to create additional sources of income.

Earlier, in March 2024, VkusVill, together with Avtomakon, also launched AGV robots at a distribution center to move goods in a warehouse without human participation. By the end of the year, the company plans to transfer 30% of operations for moving from the acceptance zone to the storage zone to robotic mode.