U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea teams are using robots to increase efficiency and reduce staff burden in their distribution warehouse. Launched as a pilot program in December 2021, USAMMC-K installed a robotic carrier system the goal of reducing manpower requirements to deliver processed medical supplies from the warehouse’s receiving section to storage and shipping sections as workers fulfill customer requests.
This cross-docking robotic system is similar to technology used by large online retailers. The system operates with the use of a tablet, which routes the delivery vehicle throughout the warehouse. Once it routes the orders, it can autonomously return itself back to its charging station.
According to the Army the added productivity in processing orders enables team members to focus on their work without having to leave their area to manually push supplies to other sections. Additionally, USAMMC-K is in the process of replacing some of its standard shelving with an automated vertical shelving system, which will further improve productivity and reduce spatial requirements.
Soldiers at the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Korea receive training on the operation of a new robotics carrier system put in use in the USAMMC-K warehouse. The system has increased efficiency and reduced manpower needs for processing orders for medical supply. (U.S. Army photo by Master Sgt. Rizmel Paguio)
