Our Innovation Analysts recently looked into emerging technologies and up-and-coming startups working on solutions for the logistics industry. As there is a large number of startups working on a wide variety of solutions, we decided to share our insights with you. This time, we are taking a look at 5 promising Picking System solutions.
Heat Map: 5 Top Picking Solutions
For our 5 top picks, we used a data-driven startup scouting approach to identify the most relevant solutions globally. The Global Startup Heat Map below highlights 5 interesting examples out of 113 relevant solutions. Depending on your specific needs, your top picks might look entirely different.
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ProGlove – Pick-By-Scanning
Advanced scanning systems are usually connected to smart wearables that are synchronized with industrial computers. The wearables can be adapted to warehouses that pose a high risk of injury for workers and to those which allow for more flexible picking. Pick-by-scanning technology helps employees prevent errors, increases the picking speed, and measures productivity. German startup ProGlove designs and develops a hands-free scanning system. It is a smart wearable barcode scanner that aims to save up to 4 seconds for each scan and has a scanning range of 50-150cm.
Voodoo Robotics – Pick-By-Light
The main concept of pick-to-light or pick-by-light systems is to illuminate the required number of items that should be picked on each shelf or rack, which are lit up. Some models are synchronized with sensors that can help identify the accuracy of picking. The US-based startup VoodooRobotics manufactures a cloud-based display device with two text lines that can be programmed. With this Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) warehouse, workers can use light indicators to find an item or put it to its designated place. The company also builds pick-to-light hardware that is installed on the racks and shelves.
Nomagic – Autonomous Picking
Autonomous picking uses robots that are programmed to pick and place the specified items in a warehouse. Robots may either stay in one place or even more around the warehouse allowing for people to tend to more productive tasks. Polish startup Nomagic develops picking robots that do repetitive tasks with no, or a minimal number of, mistakes. Their robots work based on Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven technology that detects items for picking and can place these items in the required location. They are even capable of analyzing the weight, shape, and other details of the items they have picked.
Superhumans – Pick-By-Vision
The main advantage of pick-by-vision systems is in allowing workers to keep their hands free. Vision picking can be used with the help of smart wearables like glasses that provide the necessary information for the worker, guiding them through the work, and providing instructions about correct picking while workers can focus on more productive tasks in the warehouse. Swedish startup Superhumans offers an Augmented Reality (AR)-driven pick-by-vision software for improved warehouse processes. It works on smart glasses that allow employees to keep their hands free. The smart glasses have in-built natural pauses that provide workers with enough time for ensuring correct picking. It also shows the real-time location of items and statistical data about workers’ progress.
Voiceman – Pick-By-Voice
Pick-to-voice systems in the warehouse facilitate communication between workers and the resource planning system. Compared with pick-by-light, such voice-directed devices allow workers to walk freely and not be limited to specific locations. Russian startup Voiceman integrates voice picking systems into android platforms. Its solution also integrates into various standardized warehouse management systems (WMS), ensuring easy deployment. This allows warehouses to reduce operating expenses and the risk of accidents.
What About The Other 108 Solutions?
While we believe data is key to creating insights it can be easy to be overwhelmed by it. Our ambition is to create a comprehensive overview and provide actionable innovation intelligence for your Proof of Concept (PoC), partnership, or investment targets. The 5 startups showcased above are promising examples out of 113 we analyzed for this article. To identify the most relevant solutions based on your specific criteria and collaboration strategy, get in touch.
