Solve Intralogistics Challenges with Automation

Internal logistics refers to the movement of materials within a facility, encompassing the entire process from the arrival of goods at the receiving area to their departure via the dispatch area. More specifically, internal logistics includes the flow of materials within the facility, the flow of information, and the planning, optimisation, and implementation of production.

The global intralogistics market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5%, reaching US$75.36 billion by 2032.

With the increasing trend towards product customisation and shorter delivery cycles, intralogistics has become a critical component in enhancing corporate efficiency.

However, many warehouses and factories continue to face numerous challenges—labour shortages, rising costs, inefficient processes, and high error rates. Automation technologies, particularly AGVs, AMRs, and unmanned forklift solutions, can enhance the efficiency of internal logistics, achieving high productivity, safety, and integration with WMS and WCS systems.  

1. What Are the Common Intralogistics Challenges?

• Labor Shortages and High Labor Costs

Labour costs continue to rise, recruitment and training expenses keep increasing, skilled workers are difficult to recruit, and businesses' reliance on stable manpower has become a risk factor.

• Inefficient and Error-Prone Operations

Manual operations often lead to delays, bottlenecks, and mistakes, affecting the entire supply chain.

• High Operational Costs

Fuel, manpower, equipment maintenance, and safety management all contribute to growing logistics expenses.

• Lack of Real-Time Visibility

Internal logistics encompasses multiple departments, including warehousing, production, and transportation. Under traditional models, information remains fragmented across these stages, hindering efficient coordination.

Data opacity impedes inventory optimisation, leads to low equipment utilisation, and results in decision-making lacking a sound basis.

For instance, material requirements from production workshops cannot be synchronised in real time with the warehousing department, resulting in delayed material delivery and disruptions to production schedules. Furthermore, the disconnect between outbound shipment information and transport scheduling frequently leads to issues such as empty vehicle runs and wasted transport capacity. In today's rapidly changing market environment, such delays hinder enterprises' ability to respond swiftly to orders, causing them to miss development opportunities.

2. How Automation Solves Intralogistics Challenges

• AGVs, AMRs and Unmanned Forklifts

Replace manual labour in repetitive transport tasks, enhancing material flow efficiency and reducing reliance on human resources. Capable of 24-hour operation, they achieve precise pallet handling, minimise accident risks and improve transport consistency.

• Integrated Warehouse Control Systems (WCS/WMS)

Real-time management of inventory, orders and route traffic enables intelligent dispatch. The Warehouse Management System (WMS) operates in real-time conjunction with automated equipment, with all inventory movements precisely recorded to achieve real-time visualisation and accuracy of inventory data.

• Enhanced Safety and Predictability

Automated systems reduce collisions and operational errors, significantly enhancing safety levels.

Integration ensures systems can communicate with one another, bridging gaps that would otherwise inevitably disrupt operations. Simplification addresses the need to define complex business logic within material flows, enabling straightforward modifications without requiring deep technical expertise.

3. Key Benefits of Logistics Automation

• Up to 30–50% reduction in labour costs

Improved accuracy and reduced errors. AGVs can perform material handling operations around the clock without interruption, achieving efficiency levels three to five times greater than manual labour.

• Higher throughput and operational speed

Better inventory control and visibility. The automated system interfaces seamlessly with enterprise systems such as ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) via API connections, enabling real-time information sharing across departments. By integrating with intelligent shelving and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology, businesses can precisely locate each item's storage position, record its receipt time, and monitor its shelf life.

• Scalable solutions for future growth

Automation ensures businesses can adapt to demand fluctuations while maintaining consistent performance.

AiTEN Robotics Case Studies:

La solución a medida de AiTEN consigue aumentar en un 30% la utilización del almacén de una fábrica de automoción con una confusa gestión logística

Los AGV de pasillo estrecho de AMK impulsan la transformación de la fábrica inteligente de Qianjiang refrigeration

Aumento de la eficiencia en un 50%: Solución de manipulación en pasillos estrechos de AiTEN para la industria del automóvil

4. Industries Benefiting from Intralogistics Automation

• Automotive and auto parts manufacturing
• Food & beverage
• 3C electronics
• E-commerce and retail distribution
• Productos farmacéuticos
• Cold chain and FMCG

These industries benefit from continuous, stable, and high-intensity operations that automation supports.

5. Why Adopt Automation Now?

With the acceleration of smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0, the key to corporate competitiveness has shifted from ‘scale’ to ‘efficiency’. Internal logistics automation is becoming deeply integrated with artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G.

The earlier automation is deployed, the greater the competitive edge gained in terms of cost, speed, quality and flexibility. Automation is no longer optional; it is fundamental to a company's future competitiveness.

Conclusión

Internal logistics stand to gain significantly from automated solutions. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) can be deployed across every stage of material handling – from raw material loading and unloading in warehouses, through production on AGV-based assembly lines, to the final loading and transport of finished goods. Optimised automated systems enhance material handling efficiency while ensuring cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and safety.

Act now to commence planning your automated internal logistics blueprint, injecting sustained growth momentum into your enterprise!

Acerca de AiTEN Robotics

Como empresa especializada en soluciones logísticas inteligentes, AiTEN Robotics se ha centrado sistemáticamente en el escenario de la "fábrica inteligente", integrando profundamente la innovación tecnológica con las necesidades de la industria. Ha prestado servicios integrales a más de 200 clientes fabricantes de todo el mundo: Aprovechando una gama completa de carteras de productos de robots de manipulación de materiales para cubrir diversos escenarios de manipulación de materiales, hemos desarrollado un sistema de programación inteligente de nivel industrial para permitir una colaboración eficiente entre múltiples dispositivos. A través de un sistema integral de servicios de ciclo de vida que abarca desde la planificación preventa, la implantación y la implementación hasta la optimización de las operaciones, capacitamos a las empresas para lograr la transformación inteligente de la logística, impulsando continuamente la actualización digital y el desarrollo de alta calidad de la industria manufacturera.

¿Está preparado su almacén para adoptar esta revolución de la eficiencia? Póngase en contacto con nosotros inmediatamente para obtener asesoramiento experto sobre soluciones de almacenamiento inteligente AGV.