A Hardware Optimized Storage and Retrieval System for Smart Warehousing Applications

Abstract

Automated warehouses are widely used in several types of industries. These types of warehouses offer different advantages for the users, from monitoring and control to automated retrieval and organizing of the stored packages. The majority of automated warehouses are much more effective than the classical ones, in which humans manipulate packages. In order to achieve a reduced labor cost and most importantly, to reduce the footprint of the warehouse which can be attained by implementing different types of storage systems, like mobile shelves, shelves on several levels, shelves for pallets, etc. All of the above-mentioned types of structures for deposits can be automated by using robots or different types of package manipulation systems to retrieve and deliver the needed packages. This paper’s purpose is to design and implement a smart storage and retrieval system which manages to reduce the soil footprint of the warehouse to up to 50% in ideal conditions. This is achieved by creating a new type of transportation unit used to retrieve and deliver the packages and by mobilizing the deposits shelf systems. All of these upgrades are all controlled by a single microcontroller with a graphical user interface.