What is voice picking technology?

Voice picking technology is revolutionising the way warehouses and distribution centres operate. It is a cutting-edge solution that enables workers to fulfil orders more efficiently and accurately by using voice commands and responses.

Principal Logistics Technologies provide longstanding industry solutions to satisfy your operational needs. Contact us to discuss voice-picking technology or any of our other WMS warehouse management solutions. 

What does voice picking mean?

Voice picking is an advanced hands-free and eyes-free method of warehouse stock inventory picking. It combines voice technology, smart devices, mobile and desktop computers, handheld voice-picking devices, and complementary technologies.

How does voice recognition software work?

Sophisticated computer voice technology is used to identify a person by their unique voiceprint, analyse the sounds and patterns through progressive neural networks that use AI artificial intelligence, synthesise and match them to extensive built-in dictionaries, and convert them to digital data and written text and enable interactive dialogue between the user and the software.

Can the accuracy of voice picking technology be trusted in warehouse operations?

Since its introduction in the 1990s, voice technology has developed exponentially, with the variety of consumer applications skyrocketing.

However, unlike voice-directed applications used on your mobile phone or in your car, the best warehouse and distribution centre voice-directed solutions have been developed for near-perfect accuracy of diverse voices and accents, in noisy environments.

What is warehouse voice picking?

Also known as voice-directed warehousing (VDW) voice picking systems use interactive voice recognition technology for warehouse operators to communicate in real-time with the warehouse management system and enterprise resource planning via mobile devices that leave their hands free.

Using computer-linked headsets, industrial microphones, and a voice-picking device, they can listen to automated verbal instructions and respond verbally to confirm actions; obtain further voice-directed instructions; vocally input information and update data; while keeping their hands and eyes free for more accurate and efficient identification and picking tasks.

Voice-picking solutions interpret the worker’s responses and react accordingly.

How does voice picking in a warehouse work? 

Combined with other WMS technology, automation systems and devices, such as RFID, barcode scanning, intra- and inter-communication systems between other warehouse operators or management, workflow systems, visual display systems, and printers, voice picking systems can create work assignments, direct the worker to the correct location, instruct them step-by-step what to do, analyse the worker’s responses and issue further instructions, update data, and progress to the next step.

Here are the main steps involved:

•  Warehouse operators receive the headsets and voice-picking devices and are trained on how to use them.
• The picking software system imports customer orders from the WMS or ERP software and creates work assignments for each worker, breaking them down into tasks such as multiple or batch picking, and correlating tasks among warehouse operators, for greater efficiency.
• The worker hears the voice commands sequentially after responding to each directive. The system interprets the response and intelligently issues the next instruction. Alternatively, the worker can respond by scanning barcodes or speaking product codes, quantities, or other information into the microphone.
• The worker will be corrected if the information does not correspond with the correct data in the system.
• When the worker has completed the assignment, the voice application will direct them to the next location and issue new instructions.
• Interactions between the system and warehouse operators are recorded for tracking and management reporting.
• Load maps are generated and can be printed.
• Truck loading, shipping, and route stop delivery options can be added.

What peripherals can be linked to a voice picking system?

Flexible and configurable process flows, using scanners, RFID, pick-to-light, display tools, capture tools, and smart glasses, can be added for greater efficiency and better picking accuracy.

What warehouse processes can be optimised with voice picking technology?

Virtually all manual, hands-on processes can be handled more efficiently with automated workflow and voice instructions.

The following are some of the most common processes that can be optimised in this way.

Picking

• Wave picking, batch picking and zone picking.
• Piece picking and order picking:

-Picking all items to be packed in cartons, carts, or on conveyors

-Broken case picking

-Bucket-brigade picking

-Zoneless picking

-High volume items

-Slow-moving items.

•  Pallet picking

-Interleaving

-Cross-docking

-Replenishment

-Putaway

• Case picking

-Full case or carton to cart or conveyor

-Single or mixed storage mediums

Receiving 

-Mixed or full pallets

-Identify damage

-Verify quantities

-Sorting and staging for putaway

-Returns

Putaway 

-Full or mixed pallets

-Multiple SKUs 

Packing and consolidation

-Assemble multi-line orders

-Multiple zones and batches

-Sorted to picking locations in a put wall

Replenishment and short filling

-Keep stock management flowing with efficient order and line-item filling

-Move full- or mixed pallets from bulk storage to forward-picking locations

-Integrated into other workflows or as a separate process

Cross-docking

-Various processes from moving and sorting to full transfers

-Pre-distribution and post-distribution

-Cycle count.

Integrated into other workflows or as a separate process

-Quality control and audit

-Parameter-based checking and prioritising.

Truck loading and shipping

-System or user-directed loading

-Route-stop delivery

-Safety and inspection steps

-Electronic or printed load map

What are the benefits of voice picking?

Greater efficiency and speed

Warehouse workers use a minimum of tools and devices. And can concentrate on the main task.

Instead of reading instructions; scanning, memorising and then checking data; writing down or typing information; or having to put down and pick up clipboards; the warehouse workers have their heads up to check and respond without the need to look away. Their hands remain free for multitasking.

Accuracy

It eliminates distractions and errors from reading data and having to remember, the worker checks the information as they hear it and can speak the data into an industrial microphone rather than typing or writing.

Safety

It keeps the worker’s hands and eyes free to be aware of dangers, especially when handling items.

Validation

The worker responds verbally to every instruction, which is interpreted and corrected if necessary, further instructions or help given, or it moves on to the next picking command.

Accurate inventory management and traceability

Each interaction is recorded to pinpoint a date, time, picking location, item, quantity, and correctness of each action. Paperwork during picking is all but eliminated.

Reduced staff training times

Voice picking systems issue intuitive on-the-spot instructions, helping the worker through each step, thereby reducing the times required for training staff in processes, codes, etc.

How to decide if a voice picking system is right for my warehouse?

WMS enabled voice-picking solutions offered by Principal Logistics Technologies are incredibly versatile and can be used in virtually any industry, for product type, and any size of warehouse or distribution centre, but it is important to select the system best suited to your particular requirements.

The following requirements in particular are essential to make voice-picking systems effective:

Demographics of your warehouse:

• If your workers have a very high degree of variation in accents, language, or dialects, ensure the system you buy can accommodate these disparities.

• Noise. The most advanced systems have noise filters built in to eliminate background noise and minimise voice distortions. It is also important that the workers can hear and understand the verbal instructions.

• Any workers with hearing impairments or speech impediments will not be able to use the system.
• Any system where users have to train the algorithm with voice files from each worker, will require a huge amount of time and reduce productivity and agility when employing new workers. They may also lead to a large margin of errors. It is best to avoid these systems and buy more sophisticated systems with more advanced and accurate voice recognition technology.
• Ensure your service provider is actively involved in product development and upgrades and can adequately service you when glitches are experienced.

Contact us

Get in touch to discuss your operational needs and find the right solution with Principal Logistics Technologies.

You can contact us on UK: +44 (0)161 888 2580, Ireland: +353 (0)1 683 3333 or email info@principalsystems.com.