DB Schenker tested exoskeletons for warehouse workers

2019: Testing of exoskeletons for warehouse workers

On September 17, 2019 it became known that DB Schenker tested exoskeletons for warehouse workers.

In the near future devices can begin to be used in the Russian divisions.

The exoskeletons known also as robots assistants or external skeletons are an electromechanical supporting devices which are put on a body of the person. In addition to execution of works on ergonomically designed machines of the automatic transfer line, robots assistants are also involved in warehouses. They are used at implementation of handling works if employees need to lift and move heavy objects. In particular, use of such devices helps to limit load of lumbar department of a backbone and muscle of a back of the warehouse employee. Overvoltage in these parts of a body most often leads to diseases and disability of personnel.

For September, 2019 the German office DB Schenker successfully completed testing of devices in the territory of several warehouse complexes. The attempt of distribution by warehouse of packagings up to 15 kg was the purpose of a pilot project. Employees in exoskeletons took a load from shelves and moved it on pallets. About 20 graduate students from different faculties of the Technical university of Dortmund participated in an experiment.

Thus the company tries to facilitate work to those employees who during workflow are forced to face serious physical activities. DB Schenker cares for preserving and maintenance of working ability of personnel and tries to use for this purpose the most modern technologies as we understand that a human capital - the main value of the company, noted the CEO of JSC Schenker Ayvars Taurinsh

According to him, in the nearest future specialists of DB Schenker should analyze in details results of experiments and to make the decision on whether use of robots will be included in the plan of business process optimization of the company.

We constantly implement modern technologies in work and we try to make our warehouse processes more effective and productive. Implementation of completely robotic processes is possible regarding the standardized, same and repeating warehouse transactions that allows to reduce influence of a human factor. However, in logistics there are areas in which robots cannot compete with the person. For example, unpacking of 'difficult' loads. It is technically difficult and not same process which requires participation of employees of a warehouse. In this case the exoskeleton is the excellent solution because its application will allow to complement motility of the person with machine force, considers Mr. Taurinsh