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Improving Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System Efficiency

Author(s)

Nan Wang, Yi Li, Xiao Hu

Affiliation(s)

Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Chongqing, China

Abstract

A Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System (RMFS) is a novel "parts - to - picker" automated order picking system. In this system, robots are responsible for transporting movable shelves to picking stations for pickers. It is particularly suited for e - commerce distribution centers that handle a vast array of small products and experience strong demand fluctuations. This system plays an essential and decisive role in enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing warehouse costs significantly. This paper reviews the optimization studies on RMFS from 2017 to 2023. By adopting the three - level framework of "strategy - tactical - operational" to conduct this research, the strategic level decision involves the layout of the warehouse, like determining the placement of picking station. The tactical level decision focuses on resources allocation, such as robots and inventory. The operational level deals with the actual order picking task, like optimizing the picking sequence. Through this approach, decision - making at different levels can be better and more precisely clarified. and we summarize the key factors influencing the efficiency at each level. Eventually, this paper discovers that the decisions within these three levels are mutually influential. Hence, an in - depth analysis of their impacts is carried out, and detailed future research directions are proposed.

Keywords

Robotic Mobile Fulfillment System; RMFS; Order Picking; Automatic Warehousing System; Order Picking Efficiency

References

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