Broadening the Horizons of Drone Technology
Ikea, the renowned Swedish department store chain, is taking a significant leap in its inventory management by expanding the use of AI-powered drones. After a successful year of testing in its Winterslag, Belgium distribution center, Ikea is now planning to deploy drones in more locations. This move is expected to automate the labor-intensive task of stock-taking, thereby freeing up employees to focus on enhancing the customer experience and enabling faster, more precise stock management.
The journey of Ikea with drone technology began in 2021 when it partnered with Verity, an AI and robotics provider, to create a fully autonomous drone solution for its warehouses. Today, over 250 drones are operational at 73 Ikea locations across nine countries.
Boosting Productivity and Employee Welfare
The 24/7 operation of drones is set to significantly enhance inventory management efficiency and employee productivity. Tommy Niemierowski, Fulfilment Project Implementation Manager at Ikea Belgium, describes the experience as ‘hugely rewarding.’ The integration of drones into Ikea’s warehouses not only marks a significant advancement in inventory management but also contributes to employee welfare by reducing the physical strain of inventory checks.
The drones, equipped with an AI-based algorithm, can identify and photograph product storage locations. They operate on pre-planned flights, using a customized indoor positioning system to navigate through high-level storage locations. Additionally, they are equipped with obstacle detection to avoid collisions.
Following the successful test in Winterslag, Ikea is planning to extend the solution to Europe and North America, starting with the Perryville distribution center in the United States. Ikea is also exploring new functionalities for the solution, including unit loading and shelf inspection, as well as enhancing the analysis and insight component.
