Efficiency and safety in cold storage stocktaking: UAV integration and routing strategies

Abstract

Stock take refers to the process of physically verifying the amounts and conditions of all commodities present in the warehouse. Instead of conducting this task on an annual basis, it would be more effective to perform it on a monthly basis. Workers in a cold storage warehouse face hazards throughout the stock-taking process, such as being exposed to low temperatures and working in elevated areas with ladders and heavy gear. Hence, conducting stocktaking operations using UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) can effectively reduce these risks and enhance the operational effectiveness of the facility. The objective of this study is to identify an effective approach for stocktaking in cold storage using UAVs and creating an efficient routing system for the selected UAV system. UAV with a UGV selected as the UAV system and the routing algorithm is 25.6% efficient compared to traditional system.