Augmented reality supported smart glasses are now the new standard in logistics, according to DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics specialist within Deutsche Post DHL Group.
The company says that it has successfully completed its global augmented reality pilots and is expanding its “Vision Picking” solution in more warehouses around the globe, establishing a new standard in order picking for the industry.
The smart glasses provide visual displays of order picking instructions along with information on where items are located and where they need to be placed on a cart, freeing pickers’ hands of paper instructions and allowing them to work more efficiently and comfortably, claims the company.
And it says the benefits are clear, claiming an average improvement of productivity by 15% and higher accuracy rates as well as halving onboarding and training times.
“Digitalisation is not just a vision or program for us at DHL Supply Chain, it’s a reality for us and our customers, and is adding value to our operations on the ground. Customers have been very happy about the productivity gains and are equally excited about using innovative technology at their warehouses,” said Markus Voss, chief information officer and chief operating officer, DHL Supply Chain.
The pilot program ran across the US, mainland Europe and the UK throughout different industries such as technology, retail and consumer.
“We are very satisfied and happy that the pilot phase went so well and that we can now say augmented reality technology is one of our standard offerings at DHL Supply Chain,” said Voss.
DHL has been working alongside three partners in the pilot phase. Ubimax provided the augmented reality software xPick, whereas the recently announced Glass Enterprise Edition and Vuzix M100 and M300 glasses were used as hardware. Further proofs of concept running in Asia and Australia with other partners show similar promising benefits. Following the success of its Vision Picking program, DHL is looking into additional applications for augmented and virtual reality such as training, maintenance, dimension calculations and more.
Image credit: DHL Supply Chain