Introduction

Warehouse robotics and automation have revolutionized the logistics and supply chain industry, significantly improving efficiency, reducing labor costs, enhancing accuracy, and optimizing space utilization. As companies face increasing demands for faster order fulfillment, robotics and automation are becoming essential tools in creating more intelligent and agile warehouse operations.

This 5-day advanced training course will explore the latest in warehouse robotics, automation technologies, and robotic process automation (RPA). Participants will learn how to integrate robots into existing workflows, optimize automated systems for maximum efficiency, and manage robotic fleets for order fulfillment. The course also addresses challenges such as system integration, maintenance, and scalability of robotic solutions.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
✅ Understand the key robotics and automation technologies used in modern warehouses.
✅ Implement robotic solutions such as Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and robotic picking systems.
✅ Design and optimize automated workflows that integrate with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
✅ Evaluate the economic impact and ROI of warehouse automation.
✅ Manage a fleet of robots and ensure optimal performance and system integration.
✅ Address common challenges in robotics and automation implementation such as scalability, downtime, and system maintenance.

Who Should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

• Warehouse & Operations Managers
• Logistics & Supply Chain Professionals
• Automation Engineers
• Robotics Engineers and Technicians
• IT and Systems Integration Specialists
• E-commerce Fulfillment and Distribution Managers
• Industrial Automation Consultants

Day 1: Introduction to Warehouse Robotics and Automation

• Overview of Warehouse Robotics and Automation Technologies
  • The role of robotics and automation in modern warehouses
  • Types of warehouse robots: AGVs, AMRs, robotic arms, picking robots, etc.
  • Case Studies: Industry leaders like Amazon, Zara, and Kiva Systems
• Benefits of Robotics in Warehousing
  • Increased throughput, reduced operational costs, improved accuracy, and enhanced scalability
  • Impact on labor efficiency and how it transforms workforce requirements
• Types of Robotics Systems
  • Autonomous Guided Vehicles (AGVs): How they navigate and move inventory
  • Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs): Advanced features and their use in dynamic environments
  • Robotic Picking Systems: Integration with conveyors, sorting systems, and packaging solutions
  • Collaborative Robots (Cobots): Enhancing human-robot interaction

Day 2: Robotic Systems Integration and Workflow Design

• Designing Robotic Workflows
  • How to map out and integrate robotic systems into existing warehouse workflows
  • Using simulation software to test and optimize automated workflows
  • The role of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) in controlling robotic operations
• Key Components of Robotics Systems
  • Navigation systems, sensors, and control software
  • Communication protocols between robots, WMS, and other automated systems
• Robotic Fleet Management
  • Managing multiple robots in a warehouse environment
  • Balancing robotic workloads, traffic management, and scheduling
  • Advanced fleet management tools and software for operational visibility
• Real-Time Data Monitoring
  • Using IoT sensors and cloud-based platforms for tracking robot performance and location
  • The importance of real-time data in optimizing robot utilization and order fulfillment

Day 3: Robotic Picking and Material Handling

• Automated Picking Systems
  • Robotic arms vs. AMRs for picking
  • Vision-based picking systems and AI-driven robotics for item identification
  • How robots increase accuracy, reduce errors, and enhance pick rates
• Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS)
  • Integrating AS/RS with robotics for efficient inventory storage, retrieval, and sorting
  • Best practices for designing automated storage systems that work with robots
• Conveyor Systems and Robotics Integration
  • Robotic sorting and conveyor systems: How they complement each other
  • Conveyor routing algorithms for intelligent order flow and inventory placement
• Collaborative Robotics (Cobots) in Picking
  • How cobots improve human-robot collaboration and assist workers in tasks like picking, packaging, and sorting

Day 4: Maintenance, Scalability, and Troubleshooting

• Maintenance Best Practices for Warehouse Robotics
  • Preventive maintenance, robot health monitoring, and upkeep schedules
  • Handling robot breakdowns: Troubleshooting and minimizing downtime
  • The role of robot performance analytics in preventing maintenance issues
• Scalability of Robotic Systems
  • How to scale robotic systems as demand increases
  • Modular design for flexible expansion and integration of new robotic systems
  • Overcoming scalability challenges, including robotic fleet management and infrastructure requirements
• Robotic System Integration Challenges
  • Integrating robots into legacy warehouse systems
  • Overcoming interoperability issues with existing software, hardware, and supply chain technologies
• Safety and Compliance Considerations
  • Ensuring worker safety and meeting industry-specific regulatory requirements for robotic systems
  • Risk assessments, safety standards, and ensuring safe human-robot interaction

Day 5: Implementing and Measuring the Impact of Robotics and Automation

• Evaluating ROI of Robotics in the Warehouse
  • Cost-benefit analysis: Labor savings, reduced errors, improved order fulfillment, etc.
  • Measuring throughput, pick rates, and inventory accuracy improvements after implementation
• Case Studies: Successful Warehouse Automation Projects
  • Learning from Amazon Robotics, Ocado, and Walmart’s robotics applications
  • How these companies increased their operational efficiency and reduced fulfillment times
• Implementing Warehouse Robotics: Step-by-Step Guide
  • Key considerations: Robot selection, layout design, WMS integration, and testing
  • Overcoming resistance to automation: Managing workforce transitions and training
• Future Trends in Warehouse Robotics and Automation
  • The role of AI, machine learning, 5G connectivity, and edge computing in future automation
  • Emerging technologies like drone-based inventory management, AI-powered robots, and autonomous drones

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will receive the Certified Warehouse Robotics and Automation Specialist (CWRAS™) certification, recognizing their expertise in robotic systems, automation integration, and warehouse optimization. This certification will validate their ability to lead and manage robotic automation projects in warehouse and supply chain operations.

Key Takeaways

✔ Master robotic systems design, automation strategies, and robotic picking systems.
✔ Learn how to integrate robots with WMS, AGVs, AMRs, and AS/RS for seamless operations.
✔ Gain insights into fleet management, maintenance, and scalability of robotic systems.
✔ Understand the economic impact and measure the ROI of implementing robotics in warehousing.
✔ Stay ahead of the curve with emerging trends in AI-driven robotics, machine learning, and robotic process automation (RPA).
✔ Earn an industry-recognized certification that demonstrates your ability to lead and innovate in warehouse automation.