Reasons, benefits and challenges on the road to automated internal transportation

Abstract

The article discusses the topic of available solutions related to process automation in companies. The focus is on intralogistics solutions, especially in the context of robotization of transport, using the example of automatically controlled vehicles. Industry 5.0, in addition to automation, pays attention to the human factor, stabilization and the environmental aspect, which is a challenge for many companies. Large organizations are automating their processes in an effort to increase flexibility and respond quickly to customer requirements. Wanting to match market requirements will be a particular challenge for small and medium-sized companies. The purpose of this article was to study and describe the case of a manufacturing company that decided to change the means of internal transportation - to automated. The article answers the research questions posed for what reasons companies are interested in intralogistics solutions and what challenges organizations face when implementing such solutions. The paper uses literature analysis and qualitative research in the form of a case study. The benefits to organizations of automating material handling are presented, which can be particularly beneficial information for the small and medium-sized business sector. A qualitative study conducted at a Polish automotive company shows that the implementation of AGV robots has significantly improved the efficiency of internal logistics, reducing the risk of accidents and increasing process systematization. These results confirm the growing interest in automation, which contributes to reducing costs, increasing revenues and meeting environmental requirements.