For years, Amazon has been a pioneer in utilizing automated systems within its warehouses, blending traditional human methods with cutting-edge technology. While the concept of a fully automated factory seemed inevitable, it had not materialized until now.
In Japan, Mujin, a Tokyo-based startup, has achieved this milestone by creating the world’s first fully automated warehouse, entirely devoid of human intervention. Mujin’s revolutionary technology has transformed a JD.com warehouse into a futuristic facility, with plans for widespread adoption of their software.
Mujin produces compact controllers, roughly the size of a briefcase, which function as operating systems to control hardware from any robot manufacturer. Typically, installations feature two controllers—one for vision and the other for motion planning.
These controllers aim to generate robot motions automatically, eliminating the need for manual robot teaching. Mujin asserts that this automation enhances efficiency and productivity within the warehouse environment, achieved through a blend of motion planning and computer vision technologies, enabling autonomous and intelligent robot movement.
The JD.com facility, spanning 40,000 square meters, boasts an impressive setup with 20 industrial robots handling picking, transferring, and packing tasks using crates conveyed along conveyor belts. Complemented by camera technology and Mujin’s controllers, merchandise is efficiently carted around the facility, loaded onto docks, and readied for shipping.
These smart robots are meticulously programmed to execute specific tasks with precision, minimizing the likelihood of errors by tracking each joint position down to the millisecond. With fast microchips powering the controllers, they can swiftly evaluate numerous maneuvers, selecting the optimal one in under a second.
Amazon’s acquisition of Kiva Systems in 2012 marked the beginning of their deployment of automated technology in fulfillment centers. However, unlike Amazon’s model, no human workers operate on the floor of JD.com’s warehouse. While Amazon typically employs hundreds of workers per fulfillment center, Mujin’s system requires only a handful of employees for machine maintenance, rather than operational tasks.
Presently, Mujin offers its software as a customizable service, but plans are underway to transition to a standardized automation package in America, making it more accessible and affordable for businesses. This move, while potentially threatening to industrial sector employment levels, could also signify a positive change, as historically, technology adoption has led to job creation rather than loss.
Toyota’s embrace of automation serves as a testament to this, propelling them to become the world’s largest car company while accentuating human craftsmanship and efficiency in manufacturing.
Mujin’s technology promises to revolutionize warehouses, offering benefits to businesses, employees, and customers alike, suggesting that the shift toward fully automated warehouses may ultimately prove to be a positive transformation.
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