Introduction

Warehouse operations have come a long way, thanks to technological advancements. With the advent of autonomous technology, vehicles are transforming how businesses operate in the warehouse. In this blog post, we will be comparing the use of non-autonomous and autonomous vehicles in warehousing, highlighting their pros and cons.

Non-Autonomous Vehicles

Non-autonomous vehicles have been used for warehousing operations for a long time. These vehicles require an operator to steer and control them around the warehouse. They are widely used for transporting goods within the warehouse, loading and unloading of trucks, and other manual tasks.

One of the main advantages of non-autonomous vehicles is their low initial cost. These vehicles can be purchased at a relatively low price compared to autonomous vehicles. They also have a lower maintenance cost, as they do not have high-tech components like LIDAR, cameras, and sensors.

However, the disadvantages of non-autonomous vehicles include the need for skilled operators, the risk of human error and accidents, and their slower speeds due to their dependence on human operation.

Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous vehicles, on the other hand, are equipped with sensors, cameras, GPS, and LIDAR, to navigate around the warehouse without human intervention. They can perform tasks such as moving goods within the warehouse and loading and unloading trucks.

One clear advantage of autonomous vehicles is their efficiency. They can work continuously without rest, resulting in increased productivity and faster throughput times. These vehicles also result in less downtime as they can self-diagnose and self-repair.

Safety is another advantage of autonomous vehicles in warehousing, as they are less prone to accidents and human errors. They are equipped with advanced technology such as obstacle detection, which reduces the chances of collisions.

However, autonomous vehicles are expensive to purchase and maintain due to their sophisticated components. Additionally, these vehicles require advanced training for operators, and their maintenance requires skilled technicians, which can drive up the cost of ownership.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both non-autonomous and autonomous vehicles have their advantages and disadvantages in warehousing. Non-autonomous vehicles have lower initial and maintenance costs, but they require skilled operators, have a higher risk of human error, and slower speeds. On the other hand, autonomous vehicles have higher initial and maintenance costs but are more efficient, safer, and have less downtime.

As the use of technology continues to evolve, businesses must consider and weigh their options carefully to increase productivity, efficiency, and safety.

References

• Miao, H., Li, X., Li, J., Mao, Y., & Xiong, Y. (2020). Autonomous driving in warehouse: High-precision navigation and path planning. Journal of Cleaner Production, 245, 118607. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118607
• Tixier, J., Doboszynska, M., Vancza, J., & Kovacs, A. (2019). The effectiveness of autonomous and semi-autonomous forklifts in physical internet enabled logistics operations. Sustainability, 11(4), 1004. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11041004
• Zhang, C., Na, Y., & Liao, Y. (2020). Research on control method of autonomous vehicle in warehouse based on PMAC synchronous control. Journal of Intelligent & Robotic Systems, 98(2), 413-421. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10846-019-01101-4