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Warehouse operations are embracing new technologies and innovations to transform and optimize workflows. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics have made their mark on modern warehouses\u2014making operations more efficient and profitable. Now, wearable technology is showing promise as the next big transformative trend in the warehouse industry, especially in enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.<\/p>\n
Wearable technology in warehousing operations<\/a> helps workers navigate the warehouse efficiently and pick orders more accurately. Since modern warehouses are already internet-enabled, integrating warehouse wearables is convenient and affordable. And as we discuss in this article, wearable technology plays a vital role in warehouse operations and comes with many benefits. Contents<\/p>\n There are different types of warehouse wearables workers can use in warehouse operations. Some of these internet-connected devices are:<\/p>\n Many retailers and logistics companies are embracing warehouse wearables to enhance the efficiency and safety of their warehouse operations. According to a Vuzix 2022 press release<\/a>, four Fortune 100 retailers use Vuzix smart glasses in their warehousing and logistics operations. Reliable market projections expect the global wearable technology market size<\/a> to grow at a 14.6% CAGR rate and reach $231 billion by 2032.<\/p>\n Warehouse wearables boost overall worker efficiency by:<\/p>\n Promoting hands-free, real-time access to information<\/b><\/p>\n Warehouse workers use internet-enabled wearables like smartwatches and smart glasses to get real-time inventory<\/a> locations and access outbound order instructions through wearable devices in real-time. Workers don\u2019t need to carry around physical paperwork with dispatch orders, leaving their hands free to do actual picking and packing.<\/p>\n Streamlining warehouse workflows<\/b><\/p>\n Warehouse processes, from receiving, putaway, and storage to picking, packaging, and shipping, create multiple workflows that can easily run rogue if not properly managed.<\/p>\n Wearables help streamline workflows by providing visual and voice cues for tasks, optimizing worker paths, and integrating with warehouse management systems<\/a> (WMS) like Logiwa IO\u2019s directed putaway<\/a> feature.<\/p>\n Enhancing communication<\/b><\/p>\n Wearables facilitate communication and interactions between human workers and warehouse automated systems. For instance, using smart glasses with embedded microphones, workers can send voice commands to the digital twin of an automated mobile robot<\/a>, which relays the message to the actual robots operating in the warehouse. Quick and accurate communication among workers and warehouse systems enhances operational efficiency.<\/p>\n Warehouse wearables enhance worker productivity in the following ways:<\/p>\n Faster task completion<\/b><\/p>\n Smart glasses and wearable barcode scanners display relevant order information, such as inventory location and product images, to workers, helping them complete picking tasks faster and more accurately. Fortunately, warehouse managers can leverage Logiwa IO\u2019s labor standards technology<\/a> to monitor warehouse workers’ movements and define standards for optimum task completion.<\/p>\n Integrating labor standards into your warehouse inventory management system allows all synched wearables to configure order information based on these standards. This way, workers can complete tasks faster using the company\u2019s labor standards.<\/p>\n Error reduction<\/b><\/p>\n Fulfillment errors, such as picking, packing, and shipping the wrong products, are major sources of productivity drain. Integrating warehouse wearables with the company’s WMS streamlines workflows and reduces such common errors. More accurate and consistent fulfillment processes<\/a> translate to greater worker productivity gains.<\/p>\n Faster training and onboarding<\/b><\/p>\n Warehouse wearables synched to the company’s WMS can expedite new-hire training and onboarding. Because wearables have a friendly and easy-to-follow interface, new employees can quickly self-learn and understand warehouse operations workflows. This helps them become productive sooner and participate meaningfully in warehouse operations.<\/p>\n Leveraging wearable technology boosts warehouse safety in the following ways:<\/p>\n Ergonomic improvements<\/b><\/p>\n Warehouse wearable technologies with ergonomic advantages include:<\/p>\n Supporting devices such as a powered glove and a shoulder exoskeleton. These devices provide physical support to warehouse staff when performing strenuous tasks like lifting.<\/p>\n Training devices such as ergonomic sensors on the arm, back, and hip. These devices can alert workers when they make unsafe movements, such as rapid heavy lifting.<\/p>\n Preventing injuries<\/b><\/p>\n Wearables such as shoulder exoskeletons reinforce a worker\u2019s shoulders to enable them to perform strenuous tasks without sustaining injuries. Reducing warehouse-related work injuries is a substantial feat, given that there were 2,000 deadly accidents in 2022<\/a> among construction, manufacturing, and warehousing workers.<\/p>\n Real-time safety alerts\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Wearables such as ergonomic sensors alert workers in real-time when they make unsafe body movements during work. With repetitive alerts, workers naturally learn to avoid workplace injuries and other hazardous conditions.<\/p>\n Adaptability and scalability<\/b><\/p>\n Adapting new safety measures and scaling them appropriately with wearable technologies is easy, as it gives workers ample time to practice and perfect security best practices. Workers using wearable devices are more incentivized to stick to learning and fully adopt new safety measures, as they can keep the wearable devices on their person even in their downtime.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” width=”auto” custom_margin=”15px|auto|15px|auto|false|false” custom_css_main_element=”.hbspt-form .legal-consent-container a {|| color: white !important;||}” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” global_module=”26788″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_stops=”#481a96 0%|#200741 100%” custom_padding=”15px|35px|15px|35px|true|true” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” header_3_text_color=”#ffffff” header_3_font_size=”30px” header_3_font_size_tablet=”30px” header_3_font_size_phone=”20px” header_3_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]
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The role of wearable technology in warehousing<\/h2>\n
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The benefits of using wearable technology in warehousing<\/h2>\n
Efficiency gains<\/h3>\n
Worker productivity enhancement<\/h3>\n
Safety enhancement<\/h3>\n
Request a free demo to learn more about Logiwa WMS.<\/h3>\n