Ikea is advancing its technology in warehouse operations by introducing AI-upgraded stock-counting drones to the United States.
The Swedish furniture giant announced that these autonomous drones will soon be deployed in its Perryville, Maryland, distribution center, where the installation process began this summer. This marks the first time Ikea’s drone system will be operational in the U.S., following its initial launch in 2021 and subsequent expansion across Europe.
The drones, branded by Verity, have received significant upgrades, including an AI-powered system that enables them to fly around warehouse facilities continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This is a substantial improvement from the previous system, where drones were only active during nonoperational hours.
Now, the drones will work alongside human employees, contributing to inventory management tasks such as counting stock and verifying that items are correctly positioned.
According to Parag Parekh, Ikea’s chief digital officer for retail, the drone flights are prescheduled, and they navigate the higher levels of storage locations using a custom indoor positioning system.
Additionally, these drones are equipped with an obstacle detection system, which allows them to reroute their paths to avoid any potential collisions. This feature is crucial for maintaining safety while operating in a busy warehouse environment where they coexist with human workers.
Ikea is not stopping with these current capabilities. The company is already planning further upgrades for the drones, including the ability to inspect unit loads and racks. This ongoing development underscores Ikea’s commitment to integrating advanced technology into its operations to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
Plans for Future Expansion and Enhancements
Globally, Ikea’s drone fleet has grown to more than 250 units, operating in 73 warehouses across nine countries. The company partnered with Verity to launch this drone system, starting in 2021, and has since rolled it out to various locations in Europe. With the upcoming deployment in Maryland, Ikea is set to introduce this technology to more distribution centers across Europe and North America.
The company emphasizes that the use of these drones will help reduce the ergonomic strain on human workers, allowing them to focus on lighter and more engaging tasks instead of repetitive and physically demanding inventory checks.
Featured Image courtesy of André Schmidtgall/LinkedIn
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