Emerging digital technologies and their applicability as picking support in materials handling
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | CHALMERS TEKNISKA HÖGSKOLA AKTIEBOLAG - Institutionen för teknikens ekonomi och organisation |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 500 000 |
| Project duration | February 2017 - March 2018 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | FFI - Sustainable Production |
| End-of-project report | 2016-05477sv.pdf(pdf, 758 kB) (In Swedish) |
Purpose and goal
The purpose is to identify the potential of emerging digital technologies to support material handling related to production. The milestones were achieved during the concept study and involved building a test environment for kit preparation, assess the potential of different digital technologies with regard to picking performance, and formulate propositions for further research and hypotheses regarding the tested digital technologies.
Expected results and effects
The results show that digital picking information systems - e.g. smart-glasses and visors with augmented reality - have good potential to support high performance material handling. The results can lead to increased resource efficiency and improved quality in the logistics system, thereby reducing environmental impact and strengthening the global competitiveness of the Swedish industry. The results contribute to objectives 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 within Sustainable Production by a focus on digital technology that supports the handling of the range of components in the assembly industry.
Planned approach and implementation
The concept study was carried out in four phases. Phases 1 and 2 involved construction of a test environment that simulates an industrial application for kit preparation, and installation of relevant picking information systems. Phases 3 and 4 both involved testing of the potential of the digital technologies e.g. smart-glasses and visors with augmented reality to determine the potential for achieveing both efficient and quality assured material handling. The last phase also involved using the test environment as a demonstrator for education and company projects.