Global vision picking

DHL Supply Chain is rolling out the next phase of its “Vision Picking” programme following a successful trial of the augmented reality technology in the Netherlands. DHL and its partners Google, Vuzix and Ubimax have fine-tuned the vision picking solution based on the results of the trial – and now DHL is set to expand the program across different industry sectors on a global scale.

With vision picking, personnel are equipped with advanced smart glasses which visually display where each picked item needs to be placed on the trolley. The technology enables hands free order picking at a faster pace, and also helps to reduce error rates.

“We are excited to further test and develop vision picking as a solution that can be readily available to our customers. More importantly, this technology is not just one step towards digitalizing manual processes on the shop floor, it also takes us one step closer towards Industry 4.0. Testing technologies like augmented reality, robotics and Internet of Things will continue to be a big part of our DNA,” said John Gilbert, CEO Supply Chain.

DHL outlined the planned roll-out: “The smart glasses will be piloted across various industries such as technology, retail, consumer and automotive industries. The data available from these pilots will further determine the technology’s potential for broader implementation. The pilot sites are spread across the United States, Mainland Europe and the United Kingdom, with the Ricoh facility in Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands, where the solution was first tested, being the launch site for this new exploration phase.”

Markus Voss, CIO Supply Chain, explained what the test means for the company: “The Vision Picking Program is DHL Supply Chain’s first translation of what augmented reality solutions can look like for supply chains. The broad spectrum in which the technology can be applied across various sectors is exciting to us, and the potential of this technology for business is still largely untapped. We believe this program is a game changer in how we run our supply chain operations and deliver added value to our customers.”