Xabier Zubizarreta interview published on Logística Profesional magazine
In this context it is important to really know what percentage of companies currently have automation and mobile robotics in place in their operations to see how mature the sector is in this respect
“It’s very hard to put a percentage on how many companies are opting to implement automated systems to improve their processes. I wouldn’t dare to put a number on it. What I can say is that regardless of their size, interest in solutions of this kind is growing.
It no longer depends on being a big company, or even a medium one – small companies are also showing an interest in implementing automated solutions to improve their processes. Within their possibilities, of course, with solutions tailored to their needs.
The important thing is that they understand that automation is a means of improving their processes and the efficiency of their business. As a client of ours says, automation is something that, when you try it, you realise there’s no going back and you have to carry on doing it.
Clearly, companies opting for this path will have an advantage over those not doing so or doing so later.”
A WINNING DUO
Automation + artificial intelligence, automation + big data, automation + robotics,… the possibilities are endless when it comes to linking up the latest technologies available to the sector in order to maximise operational efficiency, but is one combination more profitable than another?
“For us, the perfect combination includes mobile robotics plus technologies like the IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things), big data, artificial intelligence and machine learning. They go hand in hand and allow a much broader vision of the logistics business over time. By exploiting data it is possible to change patterns of behaviour, allowing one to predict or anticipate new scenarios or needs, constantly improve the performance of plants and stay ahead of the future.
At Smartlog we concentrate on mobile robotics because it offers major advantages such as flexibility, scalability and 360º growth in capacity, productivity and sustainability. For us its greatest strength lies in availability levels approaching 100%, making it possible to work without stopping 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and this boosts the competitive variables of price, cost and time all at once.
Unlike in more traditional automation solutions, if an error or fault occurs in a robot, the system does not stop, though activity may drop noticeably and some goods may be affected, but the rest carries on working, which means the product is available at all times. And if there is a replacement in stock, operations can be quickly restored to their starting point. Unlike with non-robotic solutions, where if there is a problem in a central component the system stops and the products affected become inaccessible.”
DEVELOPMENT IN THE SECTOR
What developments in automation are we going to see in the coming years? Which way is the sector evolving in this respect?
“The appearance of disruptive emerging technologies is ushering in big changes. Recent advances in AI and machine learning are helping to cut development costs and boost adaptability, making possible more applications offering improved profitability and safety.
Biometric technology based on recognition of a unique physical feature of the person and major advances in vision and detecting navigation, handling, as well as in sound, are other examples. Automated picking is becoming possible thanks to robotic vision. With automatic learning, we are getting ever closer to reaching human levels of hand-eye coordination, at higher speed and without fatigue.
However, for us the next step lies in Logistics 5.0, in data and in anticipation. We could say that the success of the robotic warehouse doesn’t lie in the robot, but the brain that controls it. Robots, controlled by a brain, will communicate between one another, self-correct behaviour, add knowledge which they will pass on to other robots for them to correct their own behaviour autonomously and precisely. If we add to this technologies to exploit and generate knowledge through the data generated, we will be able to create models to allow interaction, prediction and adaptation of behaviour in real time.
At Smartlog we are working in this direction. The exploitation of data, artificial intelligence and machine learning enables our own Galys warehouse management software, like our system for facility monitoring and predictive management, to learn from the operation of all automated processes, proposing improvements, planning maintenance tasks, recommending new configurations and predicting new scenarios.”
LAST MILE, INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT
The last mile is gaining in importance and will continue to do so in the coming years. Regulatory changes are shaking the operational foundations in place up to now, and automation can be a great ally in this 'new era'
“The last mile plays a key role within the company’s logistics processes. We currently face changes in society, technology, population, urban development and sustainability which are pushing those responsible for the supply chain to seek solutions to enable them to be more competitive and focus on making deliveries local and ever faster and more personalised, via a range of channels.
The sustainable development goals in the 2030 agenda are also going to call for improvements in carbon footprint and in delivery requirements. Companies therefore need to create new business models to get products to consumers in a way that allows for a range of different last mile delivery options.
AI systems to predict what may happen with demand, with transport needs for personalised delivery, with automation to prepare orders just far enough ahead to begin delivery, selecting the best means of transport, traceability and monitoring of shipment and so on; all these will be important variables to be taken into account.
Consequently, automation is no longer an option, but a must – something obligatory which must form part of industrial strategy. Of course, the companies that manage to automate first or have automated first will benefit from advantages over those that have not done so.”
MOBILE ROBOTICS
One of the advantages of robotics in logistics processes is the capacity to add and remove robots in line with demand in the supply chain. How are you working on t his issue with companies to achieve optimum implementation?
“Logistics operators need to invest in technologies with an eye to the future, both in software and in hardware, so that they can adapt to the changes involved in constant growth. We support clients from RDi and needs analysis through to implementation of the specific solutions, and then monitor and optimise them.
We seek to guarantee availability and ongoing adaptation to new scenarios. We analyse exhaustively features, real data and logistics needs, always from an overall perspective and with a view to the future. This analysis enables us to construct fully personalised solutions incorporating different automated systems to give us the flexibility and scalability we are looking for.
Flexibility, on the basis of distributing tasks between mobile units that can work together to perform the tasks together, in varying numbers according to the needs of the workload.
Scalability, in two different dimensions that need not be tied together: storage capacity and flow. Storage capacity can be increased in a modular way, adapted to the plant layout, or flow can be boosted by adding more mobile units to the system in reception or despatch.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, we have technology to monitor and exploit data that enables us to offer predictive intralogistics.”