“Drones equipped with RFID technology have emerged as game-changers in warehouse inventory management. They enable efficient inventory audits and streamline stocktaking processes while providing real-time visibility into stock levels.”
In today's fast-paced world, efficient inventory management is critical for the success of any warehouse operation. And with various technologies at our disposal, it is important to integrate an efficient warehouse-inventory management solution. Traditional manual methods of inventory tracking, like using barcodes, can be time-consuming, prone to errors, and lack real-time visibility. However, thanks to internet and IoT advancements as well as reduced costs of implementation of such devices in large warehouses; it has become advantageous to leverage technology for warehouse management and asset visibility in warehouses.
Recent developments in the field of various low-powered wide area networks (LPWANs) such as LoRa, NB-IoT, LTE-m, etc. have also ensured that IoT-based warehouse management can be implemented, even in remote areas where power consumption is an issue.
With the advancements in drone technology and RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), warehouse inventory management has transformed dramatically.
RFID is an efficient technology when it comes to automatic identification and data capture, tracking RFID-tagged items in a warehouse but retail giants like Walmart and Target have large warehouses with large floor areas and even RFID technology seems insufficient. In 2013, Walmart reported a loss of 3B USD due to a mismatch between their inventory record and the actual stock available in their warehouses.
Large retail inventory management can be time-consuming even with RFID technology as it can take up to 3 months to complete a cyclic audit with accuracy. Most often inaccuracies go unnoticed unless customers point it out.
The use of drones with RAIN RFID can streamline such large-scale inventories and accurately track all the stocks. Let’s explore how drones equipped with RFID technology can revolutionize warehouse inventory management.
What is RAIN RFID?
RAIN RFID refers to Ultra High-Frequency Passive RFID tags and RFID Reader systems where radio waves are used to identify tagged items. When an item is tagged with a RAIN RFID tag, and a reader is used to interrogate, the tag antenna captures the RF signal coming from the Reader and activates the chip inside the tag. The RFID tag then sends the encoded data in the form of RF signals which are captured by the reader and decoded for the end users.
In warehouses, RAIN RFID provides item-level tagging and tracking of each item, pallets, containers, etc. Unlike other AIDC solutions, RAIN RFID facilitates accurate inventory control and replenishment. The large-scale data collection also leads to better decision-making and prevents losses in warehouses.
Drone and RFID Technology in Warehouse Management
In 2017, a research team at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) developed a solution called Rfly where you don’t need to strap a giant RFID reader at the back of a drone. Earlier you had to attach an RFID reader with a drone to capture all the RFID-tagged items. It was a complex task and offered very little efficiency.
MIT has been at the forefront of research and development in drone technology applications. Recognizing the potential of drones in warehouse operations, MIT researchers have been instrumental in creating innovative solutions for inventory management. The Rfly is equipped with a very small relay that acts like a wi-fi repeater and it forwards the Radio Frequency signals coming from a remote RFID reader to read nearby tags.
The solution developed by MIT is very useful where you don’t have large drones as you don’t need to attach an RFID reader to the drone itself. The solution also involves an RFID tag attached to the Rfly drone which helps with triangulating the location of objects to within a few inches by tracking the drone.
Advantages of Drones and RFID technology in Warehouse-Inventory Management
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1. Drones and RFID: The Perfect Match for Inventory Management
Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), have gained popularity in various industries due to their ability to access hard-to-reach places and capture high-resolution images or video. When combined with RFID technology, drones become powerful tools for inventory management. RFID tags can be attached to products, pallets, or containers and emit radio signals containing unique identification information, allowing for seamless tracking and monitoring.
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2. Streamlining Inventory Audits
With drones equipped with RFID readers, inventory audits can be conducted rapidly and accurately. Drones can autonomously fly through warehouse aisles, scanning RFID tags on products, capturing real-time data, and transmitting it to the inventory management system.
Earlier, inventory audits required manual scanning of barcodes or conducting physical counts. It was time-consuming, often leading to discrepancies and delays in identifying stock shortages or excesses. However, this RFID and drone solution eliminates the need for manual scanning, reduces human error, and provides instant updates on stock levels.
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3. Efficient Stocktaking and Cycle Counts
Regular stocktaking and cycle counts are essential to maintain accurate inventory records. However, these tasks can be labor-intensive and disruptive to warehouse operations. Drones equipped with RFID technology can swiftly navigate through the warehouse, reading RFID tags on products as they go. The solution enables faster and more frequent stocktaking, minimizing disruptions and ensuring inventory accuracy.
To conclude, Drones equipped with RFID technology have emerged as game-changers in warehouse inventory management. They enable efficient inventory audits and streamline stocktaking processes while providing real-time visibility into stock levels. MIT's pioneering research in drone technology, the Rfly solution, has played a crucial role in advancing the capabilities of these aerial tools for warehouse operations. The integration of drones and RFID will likely become the standard for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective inventory management in the near future.
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