The logistics robots: 2020 and beyond.

• Author: Shaikh, Khurram Adeel

Byline: Khurram Adeel Shaikh

Robotics are expected to change logistics industry in year 2020 and beyond. By the end of 2018 , around 40% of 200 leading e-commerce and Omni-Channel companies have deployed robotics systems in their "Order Fulfilment, Warehousing and Delivery Operations". Currently the Logistics Robots Market Size is around $4.00 billion. Whereas the Market Growth 21.0%. By 2026, Logistics Robots Market would reach up to $18.58 billion.

Few years ago Amazon's acquisition of Kiva Systems robotics (re-named as Amazon Robotics), has transformed the whole robotic logistics scenario. Amazon is using Robots in logistics and other functions in warehouses such as packing and picking. Further, we may see, as we are now in manufacturing, the rise of cobots, or collaborative robots, as coined by Rethink Robotics. The market is ready for the use of logistics robots to work in conjunction with the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), also known as industry 4.0. Cobots are involved in packaging, picking, shipping, delivery and visibility throughout logistics, but they are rapidly becoming key players in the artificial intelligence and data analytics movement.

By the end of this year, up to 30% of all new robotic deployments will use robots that operate three times faster than existing robots deployed at the end of 2016. In other words, more robotic systems will be used for order fulfillment warehousing and delivery operations by up to 45% of mainstream global e-commerce and omni-channel commerce companies.

The demand for faster last-mile delivery is causing some major problems for shippers trying to implement in-house last mile programs. For many retailers, this will be difficult, requiring significant investment in two fleets, drivers, technology and additional resources to handle last-mile delivery.

However, last-mile delivery is not exclusive to home delivery, and it can include delivery to store. Ergo, ship-to-store and pick up at a store are last mile delivery options, and shippers can leverage existing brick-and-mortar stores to offer faster delivery to consumers. As a result, stores as a distribution center will become more popular throughout 2019.

Autonomous trucks and drones are the 800-pound gorilla in logistics technology trends. They are the in-all solution to the concerns over the driver shortage, and they can save big bucks for logistics service providers. Unfortunately, self-driving trucks and cars are not yet widely...