How wearable technology improves efficiency of warehousing operations

Warehouse operations are embracing new technologies and innovations to transform and optimize workflows. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics have made their mark on modern warehouses—making operations more efficient and profitable. Now, wearable technology is showing promise as the next big transformative trend in the warehouse industry, especially in enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy.

Wearable technology in warehousing operations helps workers navigate the warehouse efficiently and pick orders more accurately. Since modern warehouses are already internet-enabled, integrating warehouse wearables is convenient and affordable. And as we discuss in this article, wearable technology plays a vital role in warehouse operations and comes with many benefits.

The role of wearable technology in warehousing

There are different types of warehouse wearables workers can use in warehouse operations. Some of these internet-connected devices are:

• Wearable barcode scanners, smartwatches, and mobile devices: Workers wear these on their arms, hands, and fingers. They use them to scan items on pallet rack systems and package them, thereby increasing order-picking efficiency.
• Smart glasses: They enable vision picking by leveraging augmented reality, voice, and scanning capabilities. Popular vendors of smart glasses used in warehouses include Google, Rexon, and Vuzix.

Many retailers and logistics companies are embracing warehouse wearables to enhance the efficiency and safety of their warehouse operations. According to a Vuzix 2022 press release, four Fortune 100 retailers use Vuzix smart glasses in their warehousing and logistics operations. Reliable market projections expect the global wearable technology market size to grow at a 14.6% CAGR rate and reach $231 billion by 2032.

The benefits of using wearable technology in warehousing

Efficiency gains

Warehouse wearables boost overall worker efficiency by:

Promoting hands-free, real-time access to information

Warehouse workers use internet-enabled wearables like smartwatches and smart glasses to get real-time inventory locations and access outbound order instructions through wearable devices in real-time. Workers don’t need to carry around physical paperwork with dispatch orders, leaving their hands free to do actual picking and packing.

Streamlining warehouse workflows

Warehouse processes, from receiving, putaway, and storage to picking, packaging, and shipping, create multiple workflows that can easily run rogue if not properly managed.

Wearables help streamline workflows by providing visual and voice cues for tasks, optimizing worker paths, and integrating with warehouse management systems (WMS) like Logiwa IO’s directed putaway feature.

Enhancing communication

Wearables facilitate communication and interactions between human workers and warehouse automated systems. For instance, using smart glasses with embedded microphones, workers can send voice commands to the digital twin of an automated mobile robot, which relays the message to the actual robots operating in the warehouse. Quick and accurate communication among workers and warehouse systems enhances operational efficiency.

Worker productivity enhancement

Warehouse wearables enhance worker productivity in the following ways:

Faster task completion

Smart glasses and wearable barcode scanners display relevant order information, such as inventory location and product images, to workers, helping them complete picking tasks faster and more accurately. Fortunately, warehouse managers can leverage Logiwa IO’s labor standards technology to monitor warehouse workers’ movements and define standards for optimum task completion.

Integrating labor standards into your warehouse inventory management system allows all synched wearables to configure order information based on these standards. This way, workers can complete tasks faster using the company’s labor standards.

Error reduction

Fulfillment errors, such as picking, packing, and shipping the wrong products, are major sources of productivity drain. Integrating warehouse wearables with the company’s WMS streamlines workflows and reduces such common errors. More accurate and consistent fulfillment processes translate to greater worker productivity gains.

Faster training and onboarding

Warehouse wearables synched to the company’s WMS can expedite new-hire training and onboarding. Because wearables have a friendly and easy-to-follow interface, new employees can quickly self-learn and understand warehouse operations workflows. This helps them become productive sooner and participate meaningfully in warehouse operations.

Safety enhancement

Leveraging wearable technology boosts warehouse safety in the following ways:

Ergonomic improvements

Warehouse wearable technologies with ergonomic advantages include:

Supporting devices such as a powered glove and a shoulder exoskeleton. These devices provide physical support to warehouse staff when performing strenuous tasks like lifting.

Training devices such as ergonomic sensors on the arm, back, and hip. These devices can alert workers when they make unsafe movements, such as rapid heavy lifting.

Preventing injuries

Wearables such as shoulder exoskeletons reinforce a worker’s shoulders to enable them to perform strenuous tasks without sustaining injuries. Reducing warehouse-related work injuries is a substantial feat, given that there were 2,000 deadly accidents in 2022 among construction, manufacturing, and warehousing workers.

Real-time safety alerts 

Wearables such as ergonomic sensors alert workers in real-time when they make unsafe body movements during work. With repetitive alerts, workers naturally learn to avoid workplace injuries and other hazardous conditions.

Adaptability and scalability

Adapting new safety measures and scaling them appropriately with wearable technologies is easy, as it gives workers ample time to practice and perfect security best practices. Workers using wearable devices are more incentivized to stick to learning and fully adopt new safety measures, as they can keep the wearable devices on their person even in their downtime.

Win with wearable technology

Warehouse operators who embrace and use wearable technology are way ahead, given its many efficiency, security, and productivity benefits. Adopting wearable technology early gives warehouse personnel enough time to review what works and find ways to augment it.

Efficient use of wearable technologies gives warehouse managers an edge over competitors who fail to integrate or are too slow to implement them. Wearable technologies are expected to grow in technical capacity and popularity as AI, machine learning, and automation continue to take center stage in warehouse operations.

Admittedly, warehouse managers may not know where to start, especially if they don’t already have an operational warehouse management system. But that’s no reason to stay a non-starter, as Logiwa IO has the necessary solutions.

Schedule a call with one of Logiwa’s fulfillment specialists to discuss how Logiwa IO can integrate with your existing and future wearable technology solutions as part of your operational strategy.

FAQs about wearable technology