Uniqlo’s 1st Automated Warehouse Replaces 90% Of Workforce With Robots

In an effort to solve problems related to storage costs and delivery inefficiency, Japanese casual wear designer and retailer UNIQLO has implemented an overhaul resulting in increased automation of its Ariake warehouse. As Quartz reports, 90% of the Tokyo-based warehouse's workforce has been replaced by robots, and a look inside it both inspiring and somewhat unnerving.

As Spoon & Tamago observes, the only human interaction that can be seen comes toward the end of the automated process, with a worker placing the product into its package. The heavy focus on automation is part of a partnership with Daifuku that may result in the full automation of UNIQULO warehouses in the future. The Japan News describes the automation process:

The robotic system is designed to transfer products delivered to the warehouse by truck, read electronic tags attached to the products and confirm their stock numbers and other information.

When shipping, the system wraps products placed on a conveyor belt in cardboard and attaches labels to them. Only a small portion of work at the warehouse needs to be done by employees, the company said.

By - Big Neko.