Modernizing Warehouse Operations with Wearable Mobile Devices

Warehouse wearable adoption is increasing. See why organizations are upgrading to hands-free technology.

Wearable mobile devices have become increasingly popular in warehouses. Employees are donning everything from smart glasses and wrist scanners to digital headsets and exoskeleton suits. These devices are designed with today’s warehouses – as well as productivity and employee safety – in mind. Moreover, they’re comfortable to use and provide access to data and applications that increase operational efficiency.

If your clients still rely on handheld scanners or manual processes, consider the following benefits of wearables:

Ergonomics: Wearable mobile devices are designed so employees can use them comfortably and naturally. They make work easier and boost productivity without causing fatigue or injury from repetitive motion when matched to the task.

Worker safety: Wearable mobile technology allows employees to keep their hands free, which makes it easier to climb stairs, use heavy equipment, or lift parcels safely. Additionally, wearables can keep employees in constant contact to receive alerts and stay situationally aware.

Increased Productivity: Employees can set reminders, capture data, and view orders on a wearable device rather than go back and forth from a workstation or office to the warehouse floor. Saving steps saves time and contributes to increased throughput.

Accurate data: Hands-free devices reduce manual data input, in turn diminishing human error.

Time savings: Organizations struggling to fill employee vacancies can benefit from the streamlined processes that wearable mobile devices support. In addition, fewer employees may be able to keep up with the pace of business when wearables enable more efficient operations.

What Kinds of Wearable Mobile Devices are Warehouse Workers Using?

Modern warehouses now utilize a variety of wearable mobile devices, depending on the use case, including:

• Hand or finger-mounted devices: Smart cuffs, gloves, or rings provide the same functionality as handheld devices but are more ergonomic. They make it easy to capture data as employees complete tasks.
• Smart glasses: Picking with smart glasses provides step-by-step guidance and results in more accuracy while reducing the amount of intervention required by managers.
• Headsets: Voice picking with digital headsets has streamlined picking processes, eliminating the need for paper orders, and allowing pickers to move from order to order without interruption.
• Smartwatches: Employees can use smartwatches to stay in communication with their teams, receive alerts, and access data, performing some tasks that they could only accomplish at a desk in the past.
• Sensors and smart clothing: Clothing with built-in sensors can track movement, monitor health or environmental conditions, and, in some cases, enable communication.
• Mobile printers: Wearable mobile printers allow employees to print labels and tags as they work, saving time and ensuring that each product or package is labelled correctly.

Are Warehouses Adopting Wearables?

According to Allied Market Research, warehouse adoption of wearable mobile devices is trending. As a result, the use of all types of devices will rise globally, with the market growing at a 12.4 percent CAGR from 2020 to 2027 to reach $8.40 billion. Sensors, smartwatches, and smart glasses are some of the most popular investments.

A Deloitte study also found that 30 to 45 percent of warehouses are currently investing in wearable technology, with 36 percent planning to invest in the next five years.

How to Make Warehouse Mobile Devices Work for Your Clients

It’s essential to keep in mind that not all warehouse management systems (WMS) work with wearable mobile devices. So, integrating wearables could mean developing a solution or creating a custom interface. Additionally, due to disruptions in the supply chain and chip shortages, it could be challenging to find components.

With your expertise and network, however, you can help your clients select, procure, and implement wearable mobile devices that allow them to achieve their business goals.