Experienced financial writer, working for esteemed websites such as The Motley Fool. 5G technology writer diving deep into financials and news.
Last year, there were 4,000 automated warehouses in operation globally. However, forecasts say that by 2025, 4 million commercial robots will be operating in 50,000 warehouses across the globe. This huge projected jump is staggering but how is this possible? Connectivity. And that’s exactly what 5G is bringing to the table.
Online shopping is obviously a huge business and the demand for faster, more efficient warehouses is incredibly high. Warehouse automation enhances customer experience whilst cutting costs, which is something that every business wants.
Cutting costs and boosting productivity
As online shopping grows more competitive, as do warehouses. Labour makes up the bulk of all warehouse operating costs which is exactly why automation is what all warehouses strive to achieve. Whilst wages increase, the cost of mobile robots decrease. It seems like a simple solution for warehouse managers.
Manual warehouse operations are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Mistakes can be avoided and productivity sky-rocketed thanks to the use of robots. However, this isn’t possible without fast and reliable connectivity, which is where 5G comes into play.
Drones, automated forklifts, self-driving vehicles and autonomous mobile robots are all available to warehouse owners at a reasonable price. They can utilize 5G connectivity to follow orders and carry out the job without any hiccups.
The low latency connectivity allows robots to work faster and provide real-time updates, making the idea of fully-automated warehouses much more probable.
Why 5G is so important for warehouses
If you want an efficient, automated warehouse, you need reliable and secure real-time connectivity. You need a strong connection that allows you to be flexible and change the demands of your robots instantly. Despite this, many warehouses still rely on hardwired systems that often suffer from interference and security issues.
5G will transform automated warehouse operations, bringing flexibility, reliability and speed to daily work. With online shopping being such a huge industry, it only makes sense for warehouses to invest money into improved processes and saving money in the long run.
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