The Upcoming Rise of Drones in Logistics Plant Maintenance and Automation
What is a Drone?
A drone, or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), is a small aerial vehicle piloted and controlled remotely by radio control. Its name comes from the English word “drone,” which means male bee. For a few years now, drones have been testing and are being used in warehouses and logistics plants, such as collaborative robotics and 4.0 technology.
Although some parcel delivery companies have been testing and implementing drones for more than five years, many aspects are still in the development and improvement phase. Currently, drones are not capable of handling all the logistics needs of a company. Currently, they are quite fragile, and their transport capacity is limited depending on the weight and dimensions of the package to be transported. There is also an open issue regarding the legal and legislative framework for their use.
What applications can they be used for?
Predictive Tool
Among the different technologies that can be incorporated, a thermal imaging camera can be installed. This camera can fly over the facilities and detect hot spots at risk of failure. These cameras, using GPS, can send the exact location of the equipment to the system for a more thorough inspection.
Goods to Person
Companies in the automotive sector have begun using this technology for internal transportation in production plants, and its use is similar to that of an AMR or AGV. This action reduces time and is performed autonomously, although always supervised by a pilot.
Surveillance Systems
This technology is used to maintain the security of large logistics areas such as warehouses, logistics plants, and factories. They have a greater field of view than conventional video surveillance cameras because drones can be constantly moving and not static in a specific location. Furthermore, they can access hard-to-reach places.
Warehouse Stock Management
These drones can communicate with warehouse management software (WMS) and are capable of recording and reading barcodes. They also capture real-time images of the location of the read package, allowing them to detect products in incorrect locations, access hard-to-reach shelves, and perform inventory checks.
Additional Implementations for Multiple Functionality
In addition, they can be equipped with technological accessories to perform specific functions and obtain technical results from a specific field.
GPS (Global Positioning System) To know the location of each drone in the fleet at all times and monitor its route.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition)/Barcode and QR code readers. Allows for recognizing codes to identify equipment or merchandise and provides support in the WMS with items in difficult locations.
Motion sensors. To recognize structures, objects, and people, thus avoiding potential workplace accidents.
Thermal imaging cameras. To take infrared photographs and analyze the status of hard-to-reach machinery and equipment to perform predictive maintenance.
What can it contribute to logistics?
Time savings
Increased production
Reduces workplace accidents
Better stock control
As maintenance evolves, new innovations and technologies are emerging to achieve faster, more precise, and more efficient maintenance. Drones are one of these new solutions that are just beginning to be introduced in the industry, and there is still a long way to go to fully realize their potential and solutions for industrial maintenance.