Written by Dr. Maria Jesus Saenz and Dr. Benedict Jun Ma, MIT Digital Supply Chain Transformation Lab

Teaming humans with robots delivers better results for warehouse operations than having only robots, but there are opportunities to improve that collaboration in the face of increasing demands for speed and accuracy in e-commerce fulfillment. Studies have shown that having a mix of humans and robots can lead to greater efficiency, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness compared with full automation alone, but companies must carefully consider the respective roles that humans and robots should play in warehouse facilities. 

The future of warehouse operations hinges on a delicate balance between human capability and robot autonomy, empowered by AI. Stakeholders who understand this dynamic and take actionable steps to integrate AI-driven Human-Robot Collaboration systems will gain significant competitive advantages in terms of efficiency, adaptability, and workforce satisfaction. While the journey to advanced HRC may be gradual, the key lies in recognizing the ongoing role of AI in improving every stage of collaboration.

Read the full article in Sloan Management Review at sloanreview.mit.edu »