After a cataclysmic global pandemic, the international economy is cautiously finding its feet again. Most sectors have been hit hard, but a great deal of stress has fallen on global supply chains, which have been tested by problems ranging from regulatory complications to shipping jams. But chief among these woes has been personnel shortages across supply chains. An estimated 90% of U.S. commerce leaders report that labor shortages are stunting economic growth in local areas.

In the wake of this labor supply problem, various technologies have been deployed in logistics facilities to make up for the shortfall. One such solution has been an uptick in the introduction of robots — specifically, autonomous cleaning robots — across supply chains worldwide. With the need for increased, precise cleaning, coupled with fewer staff members than before, robots are becoming an intuitive solution.

This difficult position for supply chains has forced a re-think in attitude toward automation. Once considered a disruption to the workforce, robots are increasingly being seen as a way to bolster it and keep it out of harm’s way.

The Current Situation

Labor shortages mean that existing staff easily can become overburdened, as quotas and demands have shot up in the aftermath of COVID-19 and panic-driven over-ordering afflicts the supply chain sector. In light of this, conversations about work have focused on the stress and strain on employees.

In this context, robots can be seen as productivity partners, helping workers get beleaguered supply chains back on track. Labor shortages present a huge challenge, but also a great opportunity to evaluate supply operations and find solutions to long-standing issues. As companies look to navigate a period of uncertainty, sustainable solutions become critical in assuring both short- and long-term viability of companies.

It’s important to remember that labor shortages are prevalent in almost every industry. Competition for employees across domains is high, and industries that are open to automation stand the best chance of successfully closing the labor gap.

Modern artificial intelligence-powered robots are designed with people in mind. Capable of acting as reliable and productive assistants, they allow workers to be more efficient at what they do, while also being adept in hazardous environments.

Human workers remain integral, train and maintain machines. Autonomous cleaning robots require a human user to “teach” its routes, and assist in the event of a machine meeting a new and unavoidable object. Thanks to advances in user interfaces, setting up and training the machines is a straightforward process, which lends itself well to non-technical staff, who can quickly deploy devices without the need for additional infrastructure requirements or extensive training.

As we’ve seen since the first wave of the pandemic, workers need help to reach the standards that were once expected as a given, especially during a global health crisis such as COVID-19, with new emerging variants periodically placing facilities on high alert.

Modern autonomous machines generate on-the-job performance data, which can then be compiled and analyzed by operations teams looking to attain best practices within their organizations. Managers can analyze data generated by machines while in operation, see what adjustments need to be made, then decide how to deploy such devices going forward.

Supply chains will always need human workers as part of their management teams, able to focus on higher-value responsibilities, while allowing robots to take on the heavy lifting, perform mundane, routine and hazardous tasks, give workers hours back in their day, and generally improve operations.

Beyond the Pandemic

The current labor crisis has implications that will resonate well beyond the present dilemma. Far fewer industry professionals are postponing automation investments today, with the number shrinking from 41% in 2020 to 23% in 2021.

The pandemic has demonstrated the significant opportunities generated by automation in critical, high-value sectors within the supply chain. Across multiple industries, leaders are building more sustainable operations through combining the data-driven sophistication of automated robots with human teams, a trend which is ultimately benefits everyone.

Michel Spruijt is vice president and general manager of Brain Corp Europe.

After a cataclysmic global pandemic, the international economy is cautiously finding its feet again. Most sectors have been hit hard, but a great deal of stress has fallen on global supply chains, which have been tested by problems ranging from regulatory complications to shipping jams. But chief among these woes has been personnel shortages across supply chains. An estimated 90% of U.S. commerce leaders report that labor shortages are stunting economic growth in local areas.

In the wake of this labor supply problem, various technologies have been deployed in logistics facilities to make up for the shortfall. One such solution has been an uptick in the introduction of robots — specifically, autonomous cleaning robots — across supply chains worldwide. With the need for increased, precise cleaning, coupled with fewer staff members than before, robots are becoming an intuitive solution.

This difficult position for supply chains has forced a re-think in attitude toward automation. Once considered a disruption to the workforce, robots are increasingly being seen as a way to bolster it and keep it out of harm’s way.

The Current Situation

Labor shortages mean that existing staff easily can become overburdened, as quotas and demands have shot up in the aftermath of COVID-19 and panic-driven over-ordering afflicts the supply chain sector. In light of this, conversations about work have focused on the stress and strain on employees.

In this context, robots can be seen as productivity partners, helping workers get beleaguered supply chains back on track. Labor shortages present a huge challenge, but also a great opportunity to evaluate supply operations and find solutions to long-standing issues. As companies look to navigate a period of uncertainty, sustainable solutions become critical in assuring both short- and long-term viability of companies.

It’s important to remember that labor shortages are prevalent in almost every industry. Competition for employees across domains is high, and industries that are open to automation stand the best chance of successfully closing the labor gap.

Modern artificial intelligence-powered robots are designed with people in mind. Capable of acting as reliable and productive assistants, they allow workers to be more efficient at what they do, while also being adept in hazardous environments.

Human workers remain integral, train and maintain machines. Autonomous cleaning robots require a human user to “teach” its routes, and assist in the event of a machine meeting a new and unavoidable object. Thanks to advances in user interfaces, setting up and training the machines is a straightforward process, which lends itself well to non-technical staff, who can quickly deploy devices without the need for additional infrastructure requirements or extensive training.

As we’ve seen since the first wave of the pandemic, workers need help to reach the standards that were once expected as a given, especially during a global health crisis such as COVID-19, with new emerging variants periodically placing facilities on high alert.

Modern autonomous machines generate on-the-job performance data, which can then be compiled and analyzed by operations teams looking to attain best practices within their organizations. Managers can analyze data generated by machines while in operation, see what adjustments need to be made, then decide how to deploy such devices going forward.

Supply chains will always need human workers as part of their management teams, able to focus on higher-value responsibilities, while allowing robots to take on the heavy lifting, perform mundane, routine and hazardous tasks, give workers hours back in their day, and generally improve operations.

Beyond the Pandemic

The current labor crisis has implications that will resonate well beyond the present dilemma. Far fewer industry professionals are postponing automation investments today, with the number shrinking from 41% in 2020 to 23% in 2021.

The pandemic has demonstrated the significant opportunities generated by automation in critical, high-value sectors within the supply chain. Across multiple industries, leaders are building more sustainable operations through combining the data-driven sophistication of automated robots with human teams, a trend which is ultimately benefits everyone.

Michel Spruijt is senior vice president of international business with Brain Corp.