Introduction to Augmented Reality in Logistics
DHL, a world logistics company, has successfully tested smart glasses and augmented reality in a warehouse within the Netherlands. The pilot project, which was carried out in cooperation with DHL customer Ricoh and wearable computing solutions expert Ubimax, aimed to implement vision picking in warehousing operations. The technology was used to guide staff through the warehouse, displaying graphics on smart glasses to hurry up the picking process and reduce errors.
How it Works
The vision picking process enabled hands-free order picking, greatly increasing productivity. Staff were equipped with head-mounted displays comparable to Google Glass and VuzixM100, which showed the respective task information through the picking process, including aisle, product location, and quantity. This allowed staff to operate much faster and with fewer errors.
The Pilot Project
The pilot project was conducted over a period of three weeks, during which 10 order pickers used the equipment to select greater than 20,000 items and fulfill 9,000 orders. The results showed a 25 percent efficiency increase through the picking process, demonstrating the potential of augmented reality so as to add value to logistics. The pilot’s objective was to achieve insights into the technology’s advantages and limitations, and the outcomes have been positive.
Future Applications
In addition to vision picking in warehousing operations, augmented reality has the potential to enhance operations during transportation, last-mile delivery, and value-added services. DHL’s Trend Research team issued a trend report in June 2014, called Augmented Reality in Logistics, which describes best practices and promising use cases. The company is now seeking to explore the economic feasibility of augmented reality in additional areas and is open to collaboration with further partners.
Conclusion
The successful pilot project has shown that augmented reality can bring significant advantages to logistics, including increased efficiency and productivity. As the technology continues to evolve, it is probably going that we’ll see more widespread adoption within the industry. With its potential to enhance operations and enhance the client experience, augmented reality is an exciting development that’s value watching. As Jan-Willem De Jong, business unit director of technology at DHL Supply Chain, Benelux, noted, "This is just step one in our innovation journey, and we imagine augmented reality will turn out to be relevant for much more supply chain areas."
