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Well, working at the location I am for Amazon now - I was hoping to meet the Kiva robots. But it turns out that system will not be implemented in the new warehouse until after the first of the year ... The shelves were are stocking to right now are all Kiva shelves - so while it's not utilizing the robot yet, they will be ready for them when the system is ready.

If any of you are interested in seeing how Kiva works (it's really cool):

http://youtu.be/6KRjuuEVEZs

And for those who think it'll take the place of people - not really - people will not have to go to the shelves to stock or pick - the shelves come to them. So people will become faster and more efficient.

Maybe one day yet, I'll get to see it in action!

Beth, that is so cool! That's what I call progress!

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Unbelievable!
The initial cost must be outrageous.
But the "powers that be" must think it's worth the cost.
Very cool.
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Kiva Systems - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kiva Systems is a company that makes order fulfillment systems that use mobile robots for warehouse automation. Its material handling systems are used by Staples, Walgreens, GAP, Crate and Barrel, Toys "R" Us and Gilt Groupe, among others. It was founded by Mick Mountz and technical co-founders Peter Wurman and Raffaello D'Andrea.

Traditionally, goods are moved around a distribution center using conveyors, or by human operators with tow racks or forklifts. In Kiva's approach, goods are kept on portable storage units. When an order for an item arrives, battery-powered robots (called drive units) are guided by a computerized control system to fetch the order. They follow a grid system of 2D bar codes on the floor to navigate their way to mobile shelves containing the desired inventory. When the drive unit reaches the correct location on the warehouse floor, it positions itself beneath a pod and lifts it from the ground in a corkscrew action. The unit is then guided to a human packer on the periphery of the floor who takes the process over from there. The pod then picks up a pod from a previous delivery, replaces it on the floor by reversing the corkscrew action and is then free to work on another mission.

Kiva has two models of robots. The smaller model is approximately 2 feet by 2.5 feet, and one foot high and capable of lifting 1000 pounds. The larger model can carry pallets and loads as heavy as 3,000 pounds. Both are a distinctive orange color. The maximum velocity of a robot is 1.3 meters per second. The robots navigate around the warehouse using an onboard camera to read barcode stickers on the warehouse floor. They communicate wirelessly to computer servers that run order-processing software and deliver directions.

Kiva's relatively new approach to automated material handling systems for order fulfillment is gaining traction in eCommerce fulfillment, retail restocking, parts distribution and medical device distribution operations. The system is much more efficient and accurate than the traditional method of having human workers traveling around the warehouse locating and picking items.

Acquisition by Amazon

In March 2012, Amazon.com agreed to acquire Kiva for a reported $775 million in cash. The transaction closed May 1, 2012.

interesting

It gives a little bit of a clue as to how many miles a picker or stocker might cover in a shift (without the kiva in service) You have talked about being at one end of the warehouse and having to walk the distance to even get to the break area...

And yes more efficient and quicker might mean that it will take a few less folks to complete the picking..... but then add the extra teck folks to keep the system in maintained and repaired.....

Wow! That is really impressive! I wish your warehouse had them installed now; it would really be something special to work with them.

They remind me a little of those electric shelves that research libraries have these days -- although the shelves are a much simpler system. When those were first in use, only librarians could access them, and they all had special training in escape procedures if the system failed. I always thought that would make a great scenario for a murder mystery.

That is AMAZING Beth! I can see why you would want to see it in person. Maybe next year?
Sandi

These systems are also used in large medical centers, to manage supplies. It's fascinating. Thank for posting this.

Very interesting. At the Sacramento/Mather VA, they have robots which deliver supplies. I see them pull up next to lab or pharmacy almost every time we are there. They never run into people or walls, they just quietly go about their jobs. It is pretty interesting how robots will become our helpers. I really think it would be wonderful, when I reach an age where I need extra help to have one of the people like robots as my personal assistant. I forget the name of the movie where a robot is brought in by a son to help his father and the funny stuff that ensues, but which gave me the idea how cool it could be. I want one that is a gourmet cook, like the movie robot was.
By the way Beth, where are you staying in Tracy? My husband and I stayed at a small trailer park which had RV spots for my last class reunion. The reunion was at one of the two nice small wineries here outside of town. Having grown up in Tracy, believe me it was a moment when I realized Tracy had an RV park and wineries!
Velda

Velda, I think I must be at the park you stayed at - only place IN Tracy. Morehead. We could also stay at another park (fancier) about 30 miles away. I prefer being right here. The wineries are outside of town - the side Morehead is on. I'll probably check them out one day.

Lots of people are afraid the robots will take away all the jobs - I think they may replace some jobs in some depts, but as Tina said, they'll create jobs in other departments - including the company making them, etc. I was really, really hoping I'd get to see them in action, but doesn't look like that'll happen. Oh well ... hopefully another time. I knew in advance this warehouse would be getting them. I was hoping they'd be up and running when we opened, but found out a couple weeks before that wouldn't be the case.

Fascinating. I have seen a lot of automotive robots that haul frames and then cars through a production line, but these are MUCH more complex because they have multiple routes to choose.

Wonder if they have a safety measure to prevent them from bumping into people who are where they are not supposed to be??

Thanks for sharing. Robots have their place and there are some jobs they are just more efficient at. The Coke bottling plant in New Orleans had some cool robots to move pallets of product around the plant. It was pretty interesting to watch them work.

I wish they would have shown how theses shelves get filled to begin with, too.

Amazing!! I'm with Velda, I want one that is a gourmet cook.