•A novel delivery-driven intralogistics synchronization problem is proposed.•The model seeks a tradeoff between manual picking and robotic sorting operations with given delivery requirements.•The ...proposed synchronized solutions are consistently superior to the sequential solutions under various scenarios.
This paper treats intralogistics processing in a typical robotic forward-reserve e-commerce warehouse involving a reserve area with manual order-picking operations and a forward area with robotic parts-to-picker order sorting operations. It is critical to synchronize intralogistics operations between the two areas considering delivery requirements to optimize the performance in terms of makespan and costs. This challenge is formulated as a delivery-driven intralogistics synchronization (DDIS) problem. This paper develops a tailored variable neighborhood search solution method. A series of comprehensive numerical experiments under various scenarios show the superiority and stability of the DDIS as benchmarked with sequential approaches. A substantial reduction can be achieved in both makespan and forward area size, indicating significantly improved intralogistics operational efficiency and space utilization. Managerial insights are also discussed for specific action plans regarding the market size, the labor force, and the trolley configuration.
Rapidly changing market conditions and global competition are leading to an increasing complexity of logistics systems and require innovative approaches with respect to the organisation and control ...of these systems. In scientific research, concepts of autonomously controlled logistics systems show a promising approach to meet the increasing requirements for flexible and efficient order processing. In this context, this work aims to introduce a system that is able to adjust order processing dynamically, and optimise intralogistics transportation regarding various generic intralogistics target criteria. The logistics system under consideration consists of various means of transport for autonomous decision-making and fulfilment of transport orders with defined source-sink relationships. The context of this work is set by introducing the Learning Factory Werk 150 with its existing hardware and software infrastructure and its defined target figures to measure the performance of the system. Specifically, the important target figures cost and performance are considered for the transportation system. The core idea of the system’s logic is to solve the problem of order allocation to specific means of transport by linking a Genetic Algorithm with a Multi-Agent System. The implementation of the developed system is described in an application scenario at the learning factory.
In this paper, multispectral pedestrian detection is mainly discussed, which can contribute to assigning human-aware properties to automated forklifts to prevent accidents, such as collisions, at an ...early stage. Since there was no multispectral pedestrian detection dataset in an intralogistics domain, we collected a dataset; the dataset employs a method that aligns image pairs with different domains, i.e. RGB and thermal, without the use of a cumbersome device such as a beam splitter, but rather by exploiting the disparity between RGB sensors and camera geometry. In addition, we propose a multispectral pedestrian detector called SSD 2.5D that can not only detect pedestrians but also estimate the distance between an automated forklift and workers. In extensive experiments, the performance of detection and centroid localization is validated with respect to evaluation metrics used in the driving car domain but with distinct categories, such as hazardous zone and warning zone, to make it more applicable to the intralogistics domain.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are increasingly used in modern intralogistics systems as complexity and performance requirements become more stringent. One way to increase performance is to improve ...the operation and cooperation of multiple robots in their shared environment. The paper addresses these problems with a method for off-line route planning and on-line route execution. In the proposed approach, pre-computation of routes for frequent pick-up and drop-off locations limits the movements of AMRs to avoid conflict situations between them. The paper proposes a reinforcement learning approach where an agent builds the routes on a given layout while being rewarded according to different criteria based on the desired characteristics of the system. The results show that the proposed approach performs better in terms of throughput and reliability than the commonly used shortest-path-based approach for a large number of AMRs operating in the system. The use of the proposed approach is recommended when the need for high throughput requires the operation of a relatively large number of AMRs in relation to the size of the space in which the robots operate.
Intralogistics contributes significantly to the proper functioning of business processes. When designing and solving intralogistics systems, it is necessary to take into account the specific ...conditions in the given enterprise. The technical design, as well as the composition of the trolleys in the design of the transport system, must respect the specificities of the goods transported as well as shelf life and quantity. The study presents, for example, the implementation of a tugger train into an intercompany system with a solution procedure that is adapted to specific operating conditions and ensures the smooth functioning of the supply process. It is a principle based on the use of a simulation model. During its creation, three original sequences were developed in the programming language SimTalk. Their application decreases the use of blocks from the simulation program by up to 65% and it was possible to model more detailed processes that would not be possible in terms of functionality by using classical blocks. Fifteen directions of the language SimTalk were applied in their creation. Two variables of the type Integer, two variables of the type Object, and one variable of the type Real were defined.
•Routing of free ranging vehicles consists of route planning and motion coordination.•The presented lane concept is a novel approach for route planning.•Lanes lead to short travel distances and a low ...amount of routing conflicts.•The publication presents a design approch, applicable to real-world sized problems.•A test case shows feasibility and advantages of lanes compared to benchmarks.
The routing of a fleet of autonomous and free ranging vehicles in in-house logistics is a complex task. Generally speaking, routing requires the determination of routes between sources and sinks (route planning) and rules to deal with detecting and solving routing conflicts between vehicles during operation (dynamic motion coordination).
This publication introduces a new, lane-based approach for routing of free ranging vehicles. It bases on the idea of an a-priori design of multiple lanes, whereas a single lane is defined as a static, unidirectional and plane connection between a specific start and destination point in the layout. The basic idea of the described lane concept is to achieve short travel distances and low probabilities of routing conflicts for a fleet of free ranging vehicles. Accordingly, this paper also presents an appropriate heuristic for lane design and discusses its benefits compared to an exact approach in the context of applicability for real world sized problems.
Further, an application in a test case shows the advantages of the lane-based routing, such as a lower amount of routing conflicts, lower transportation times and therefore an overall higher transportation system performance compared to two benchmark strategies for routing.
In the automotive industry, the intralogistics planning faces the problem of matching the planning data with the current conditions in the assembly hall. The large variety of parts leads to a ...constantly changing production. Based on this, we establish an approach for the comparison using augmented reality (AR) and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). The use of SLAM enables the consistent application of AR in an assembly hall. Based on this, the objective of this article is to visualize 3D objects from the corresponding CAD planning tool in the real factory and thus the comparison of the intralogistics design with the real factory is possible due to AR. Nevertheless, there was a lack of practical implementations in intralogistics and therefore the concept is evaluated by two prototypical solutions. The first one is implemented on an iPhone 7 using SLAM. The second prototype is developed on a HoloLens 2 and is based on a hybrid tracking solution, SLAM and marker tracking.
Asset administration shells constitute a standardized, technical realization of digital twins and enable a unified description of important information within a production site for a safe, continuous ...and joint planning of intralogistics and manufacturing processes. In this paper, we show how an information and service infrastructure based on asset administration shells can be used to provide online-planners with unified, i.e. manufacturer-independent information facets of and respective control interfaces for involved assets, such as collaborative robots. To this end, we implemented a semi-virtualized production process using important industrial communication standards where the current state of real and simulated robots, as well as products, can be observed and manipulated at run-time and on site by means of an Augmented Reality-based user interface. In such dynamic scenarios, the worker safety needs to be maintained using the advances from the virtual representation of all assets. A technical demonstrator has been developed and discussed with domain experts to prove the underlying concept.
The article focuses on the role of modern logistics 4.0 technologies and lean management in optimizing ancillary processes in intralogistics. The literature review presents critical aspects of ...intralogistics, including using autonomous mobile robots (AMR) and the challenges associated with their successful implementation. The article also discusses the concepts of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. highlighting the importance of synergies between workers and advanced technologies. In optimizing logistics processes, the authors emphasize the importance of lean management and tools such as 5S and Kaizen. The authors analyze the research gap related to the organization of auxiliary processes, intralogistics, and the introduction of modern technologies. The lack of good practices and strategies for implementing new technologies for ancillary processes makes this a critical issue for managers and production engineers. The article provides practical strategies that can be implemented in companies. It is a valuable resource for managers seeking to manage intralogistics and effectively improve support processes in manufacturing plants. In summary, the article provides a comprehensive look at modern approaches to optimizing support processes in internal logistics. It highlights the importance of integrating modern logistics technologies with lean management principles, which can increase companies' efficiency and competitiveness.
New and promising technologies are constantly emerging in the transport and logistic sector. These technologies provide new and effective opportunities in the supply chain. The application of ...autonomous mobile robots, automatization, artificial intelligence, and unmanned aerial vehicles is not the distant future. We can create more efficient, secure, precious, and rapid solutions with the help of the UAVs’ properties like the size, the mobility, the functionality, the capabilities, and the development possibilities. Modern technology and development make them teachable and programmable, furthermore we can develop independent decision-making mechanisms into the solutions. They can have a powerful image and data acquisition, as well as analysis capabilities. There is great potential in this technology. It can reorganize the future supply chains. Businesses can increase their solutions’ cost-effectiveness, speed, accuracy, and safety in different areas like billing, inventory, transportation, and workforce productivity. We provide a summary of the UAVs in this article. We demonstrate the spread, the usability, the challenges, and the opportunities of this technology in the transport and logistic sector. Within that, we present more about the usefulness of inventory.
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