Amazon - Robotics and inventory management

Were you ever amazed by the fact that you can receive one-day free prime delivery at Amazon?

Have you ever thought about how did Amazon manage all of its inventories?

The answer is AMAZON ROBOTICS.

Traditionally, inventories are managed and moved around by conveyor system or forklifters. With increasing popularity of eCommerce, it is increasingly important to effectively manage the inventories. With Amazon Robotics, items are stored on portable storage units, as shown in the picture above. Amazon robots are way much more efficient and less error-prone than the traditional method.

This is how the robots operate:
When an order is entered into the database system, the software analyzes all of the items in the order and locates the closest robot to the each of the item and directs the robot to retrieve the item. The robots are controlled by a centralized computer with secured WiFi network for communication. The robots move by following the QR codes on the floor and have sensors inside to avoid collision. They also have powered wheels that allow them to rotate and move around.

When the robot reaches the target location, it slides underneath the pod/rack and lifts the pod/rack off the ground through corkscrew action. Then, the robot carries the pod back to the human operator to pick the items and returns the pod back.

Amazon has two types of robots: the "G" drive for light pods weighing up to 750 pounds and the "S" drive for larger racks and pallets weighing up to 3,000 pounds. Both kinds of robots are designed to operate on rotating schedule for 60 minutes and then to be recharged for 5 minutes.

The systems behind the robots are essential to how robots work. The sophisticated fulfillment system processes hundred of orders per second. When an order is placed, the system analyzes the shipping location and products, depending on the product type and availability. Also, the system assigns the priority to each product based on the customer's delivery preference. AmazonPrime same day shipping order has the highest priority, while a "Super Saver" order might wait a several hours before processed.  Once the priority is determine, the system sends order to robots to locate and move pods to assigned packing station.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Picture References:
1.https://www.google.com/search?q=amazon+robotics&biw=1280&bih=625&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNrurj-6bPAhXC24MKHU_KDMAQ_AUIDCgA#imgrc=BtRv2fLlZbf_XM%3A
2.https://www.google.com/search?q=amazon+robotics&biw=1280&bih=625&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjNrurj-6bPAhXC24MKHU_KDMAQ_AUIDCgA#imgrc=mNBuqcz1JaweIM%3A
Writing References:
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Robotics
2. http://www.informationweek.com/strategic-cio/amazon-robotics-iot-in-the-warehouse/d/d-id/1322366

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check the video below for how Amazon Robotics work!