Warehouse automation trends of 2024 - from robotics to AI and machine learning

Warehouse automation is projected to keep growing in 2024, becoming more of a necessity than a luxury option for warehouses. By automating the movement of inventory in and around the warehouse, you can replace many repetitive and manual processes. Doing this speeds up the work and reduces the risk of errors. 

For example, Extenda’s nyce.logic WMS helped e-commerce company Bonver Logistics to fill over 70% more orders in 2021, compared to 2020 - with the same demand on delivery times (you can learn more about this case at the end of the article). To stay ahead of the competition, businesses will need to be innovators and embrace the latest technology. 

Following our WMS trends 2024 report, this is our review of the biggest warehouse automation trends in 2024, that will come to shape the future landscape. We strongly recommend downloading the report if you want to improve your warehouse strategy in 2024 and beyond.

8 biggest warehouse automation trends of 2024

1. Robotics

The use of robotics is a dominating warehouse trend. For some time, robots have been able to replace or effectivize manual work. Integrating robots with the WMS system and overall digital infrastructure is a significant improvement of the warehouse operations in several ways, including:

• Improve worker safety: limit physically straining and repetitive tasks to create a safer work environment. 
• Increase productivity: robots are capable of longer operation hours, while also speeding up the movement of goods and optimizing the workflow.
• Increase accuracy: consistent precision in picking and packing, minimizing human error.
• Optimize storage: robotic systems can maximize the vertical and horizontal space usage and adjust storage based on demand patterns.
• Automate product replenishment: warehouse robotics can monitor and streamline inventory, triggering replenishment orders and predicting future demand.
• Create a more attractive workplace for candidates: improved working conditions, enhanced safety and proving to be a forward-thinking company will help you attract and keep qualified talent.

There are several types of warehouse robots, ranging from automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) to the newer generation of automated guided vehicles (AGV) and automated mobile robots (AMRs). There are also aerial vehicles such as drones (UAV) available. Finding the right setup for your warehouse can boost operations in a major way, for all the reasons we previously mentioned. 

2. Modular plug & play solutions

The days when integrations and scaling posed big challenges are over. Today’s modular plug & play solutions consist of systems and components that are designed to be easily integrated into the existing warehouse setup with minimal disruption. Being modular means that the system is composed of individual components that can be combined to tailor automation solutions in detail. 

Plug & play functionality allows for quick integration with existing warehouse systems. It makes them easy to deploy, with no need for expensive or drawn-out projects. Many businesses appreciate the smoothness, scalability and flexibility of modular plug & play solutions.

3. IoT (Internet of Things)

IoT (Internet of Things) technology refers to objects that are connected to the internet, communicating and exchanging data with other systems and applications. Some examples are sensors and actuators (components that perform actions based on collected data). IoT devices are often connected to several other systems in the infrastructure, gathering and processing large amounts of data, which can be analyzed and used to optimize the business.

For warehouses, IoT technology means several improvements:

• Real-time synchronization: interconnected tags and sensors ensure that the inventory information is always up-to-date.
• Holistic performance and visibility: integrating and analyzing data from various sources offers a comprehensive operations overview.
• Enhanced efficiency: track your performance and identify actionable improvement areas.
• Reduced operating costs: optimizing processes, improving efficiency, and minimizing waste can significantly cut operating costs.
• Improved maintenance prediction: IoT technology can monitor equipment and systems, analyzing data and identifying patterns, predicting maintenance needs before failures, downtime or other costly issues arise.

In the day-to-day operations, you can get a better overview, e.g. always knowing where your goods are located in real-time. Decreasing costs and growing battery life are making IoT solutions an increasingly attractive option for many warehouses. The technology has had an undeniable impact on the warehouse industry, and it’s predicted to grow even more popular in the future.

4. Wireless fleet management

IoT technology can also be used to connect warehouse management and fleet management. It’s a cost-saving reporting and analytics upgrade, but it can also help you improve driver safety and customer satisfaction. Having a tight-knit solution in place is a big win for the business. It will give you an even better overview, so that you can optimize your processes and further integrate different parts of your operation. 

5. AI and machine learning

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technology is improving every day, effectivizing systems across the world, including warehouse management. AI and ML solutions can be used for predictive analytics, optimizing warehouse operations by looking at things like order patterns and inventory levels. It can also help you allocate tasks, perform quality control and predict maintenance.

AI and ML solutions are evolving rapidly. Warehouses who want to use the latest innovations to streamline their operations have a lot to gain from keeping up with the development. 

6. Manual labor or warehouse automation?

Many warehouses struggle to find an optimal balance between manual labor and automation technology. Labor shortages have led to increased costs, making it harder to retain a qualified workforce. The rise of flexible work has also further shifted these dynamics.

Making the right decisions regarding automation and human labor will be a key success factor, in 2024 and onwards. Labor shortages push warehouses to further automate, but finding the optimal balance is important for the efficiency of the operation.

7. RFID (Radio frequency identification)

RFID (radio frequency identification) is a technology that uses wireless radio waves to identify and track objects. RFID tags consist of a microchip and an antenna, storing information about the tagged object. The technology is connected to readers and a back-end system, and it can also be integrated with IoT and other automation solutions.

Using RFID technology allows you to track your inventory and merchandise in real-time, easily locating products at all times. It will effectivize your business and help you keep track of products, but it also provides valuable data that can help you identify potential improvement areas.

8. Interconnected digital ecosystems

As you probably already picked up while reading this article, many of these digital innovations complement each other. If you, for instance, get the best out of robotics, AI and RFID at the same time, you have a lot to gain. An interconnected digital ecosystem really is the way to go when it comes to warehouse automation. In the future we will see more and more fully automated warehouses; maybe you want yours to be one of them?

3 more important 2024 warehouse trends

These 8 trends are not all - there are more things you need to keep up with. Actually, we purposely left out some warehouse trends that we included in our WMS trends 2024 report. Check out the report to learn more about the importance of:

• Sustainable supply chains: sustainability is becoming a more and more important part of supply chain operations, and the technology to monitor, influence and attain sustainability goals is already available.
• Data-driven decision-making: by placing data and innovation at the heart of the warehouse business leaders can say goodbye to guesswork and make confident, data-led and profitable decisions.
• Convenience and quick commerce: modern consumers have very high convenience expectations - cutting-edge automation technology can help you meet them.

Want to know more about these automation trends and how you can use them to improve your business? Download the report 2024 WMS Trend Report for Retailers and 3PLs today and dive into the specifics! 

nyce.logic Warehouse Automation module

We hope this article has shed some light on the hottest warehouse automation trends of 2024, and what your business has to gain from these innovations. Are you ready to supercharge your warehouse with a scalable, simple and fast WMS that takes full advantage of cutting-edge technology like this?

nyce.logic is a full-control WMS with automation functions for:

• Robotics
• Vertical storage lifts
• Pick by/put to light
• Automatic guided vehicles (AGV)

It's a user-friendly, intuitive solution for maximizing efficiency, improving accuracy and reducing error rates. It comes with a web- and touch-based interface, creating a simple and smooth user experience for staff, regardless if they work with vertical storage lifts, on a tablet or at a workstation in your warehouse.

Maybe you are curious about what we could achieve together? By partnering with nyce.logic, the logistics and distribution company Bonver Logistics achieved a 15% cost reduction and a 55% increase in efficiency. Read the full Bonver Logistics user case here.