Army's Smart Automated Warehouse Simplifies Soldier's Work

The Taiwanese Army's Ordnance Readiness Development Center has revolutionized its warehouse operations with a new smart automated warehousing system. Gone are the days of forklifts navigating crowded aisles and soldiers climbing shelves; instead, automated stackers follow computer commands, retrieving necessary parts and delivering them directly to personnel.

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The traditional warehouse operation relied heavily on manpower. Retrieving parts usually required a three-person division of labor: one operating the forklift, one querying the ledger, and one assisting with the move.

For soldiers managing tens of thousands of military spare parts daily, the impact is profound. Tasks that previously took two months are now completed in just 20 minutes. This efficiency gain is a significant improvement for personnel accustomed to laborious inventory management.

Traditionally, retrieving parts required a three-person team: one operating a forklift, another checking records, and a third assisting with handling. After identifying the correct storage location, the pallet would be removed, items unpacked, counted, relabeled, and repacked before returning to the shelf. The new system automates much of this, with automated forklifts navigating independently and delivering materials to workstations in an average of five minutes.

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Now, with the smart automated warehousing system, as long as you input the demand into the system, the automated forklift will navigate itself according to the storage location and complete the processes of picking, transporting, and delivering to the workstation.

Inventory counts have also seen a dramatic reduction in time and personnel. What once took 30 to 50 minutes per item count, involving six to ten soldiers, can now be done by just two people in about 20 minutes for the entire warehouse's approximately 20,000 items. This speed increase not only saves time but also minimizes human error.

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Previously, a single inventory count could take 30 to 50 minutes. With the variety of parts, each had to be confirmed individually. Now, only two people are needed for the entire warehouse's approximately 20,000 items, which can be completed in about 20 minutes.

Beyond efficiency, the system enhances safety. Soldiers no longer need to work in close proximity to forklifts or climb high shelves. Instead, they can confirm items at fixed workstations. RFID technology further streamlines operations, providing real-time tracking of parts in and out of the warehouse, eliminating the need for manual reporting and verification processes.

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The automated system is not intended to reduce manpower, but rather to reallocate limited human resources. In addition to warehouse management, soldiers are also responsible for equipment maintenance and supporting various operational areas during wartime.