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Honeywell continues to design and develop innovative sensors and switches that contribute to improved automation given the ever-changing environment of production and distribution
The pandemic put renewed emphasis on the need for robotics in warehousing applications such as picking, sorting, moving pallets and other tasks. According to market research conducted by Mordor Intelligence LLP, 45% of all manufacturing tasks will be executed via robotic technology by 2025 with the use of robotics expected to grow 12%, year over year.
The growth is driven by a surge in retail shipments which were up 25% during the pandemic, and a growing demand from supply chain leaders to improve logistics and automate with robotics technology. Robots are not necessarily new in this space, but the pandemic put renewed emphasis on the need for them. Robotics use during COVID served different roles and met new needs proving how integral these machines are to the industry’s success. Studies show that facilities who made some type of transition to automation fared best during the pandemic. Robotics use cases in warehousing and the packaging industry helped to protect workers, improve efficiency, decrease operational errors, and made facilities more flexible.
In short, the pandemic drove changes — online shopping surged, warehouse and distribution center operations experienced explosive growth, and our aging workforce is leading to a labor shortage. These factors caused an uptick in demand for more robots and equipment to be used in these environments as a valuable resource.
Warehouse logistics and processes are complex operations. Honeywell helps to make them more productive and efficient. We provide reliability, precision, and security to our customers by creating quality switches and sensors designed to perform in these applications.
Honeywell’s NGC series limit switch, for example, can be used on robotic arms to ensure accurate movements and to prevent breakage from overtravel. Its compact size with metal housing options and 50g shock and 10g vibration ratings make it an ideal fit for small spaces in harsh or unpredictable environments. Both single pole, double throw and double pole, double throw circuitry are available without compromising the housing size or mounting footprint. And at 5M mechanical life cycles, the NGC can help to keep running time high and maintenance costs low. The NGC carries global approvals and with its wide variety of configurable actuators and terminations, it allows flexibility in design.
Honeywell continues to design and develop innovative sensors and switches that contribute to improved automation given the ever-changing environment of production and distribution. The surge in e-commerce prompted by the impact of the pandemic should continue. Honeywell stands ready to assist this growth with products and components used in robotics applications as well as any automation applications that accompany this surge in e-commerce. With advanced products that enable flexibility for all environments, the Honeywell product portfolio offers a smart selection of assets for this market niche, now and into the future.