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Hands-Free / Voice-Based Solutions

Rick,
Rick, there certainly is a lot of noise about ‘Voice-Based’ solutions in the warehouse these days. Here is my challenge, I have portions of the operation that would be more efficient hands-free, but I have to tell you, Voice is not right for us. What is your view on the available hands-free options?

Phil, Branch Manager, Memphis, TN

Rick's Answer

Phil,
The statement ‘a lot of noise’, just might be an understatement. I hear where you are coming from, but the good news is Voice Technologies have come a long way and many distributors are benefiting as a result. To respond to your question, however we need to go back to what ultimately drove Voice in the warehouse and that is being hands-free.

Voice is not for everyone and there could be a number of reasons why it is not right for your operation (noise levels, cultural, ergonomics, type of activity ...). Fortunately, there are other good hands-free options. Let’s take a look at a few.

Wearables have been around for a number of years. These are typically devices that strap onto the forearm and have a screen and keypad with a tethered ring scanner option. Depending on your scan distance requirements, screen real estate needs and keypad usage (as well as the type storage units you work in), wearables can be a viable option. The folks at LXE and Motorola both have excellent wearable offerings.

Many of the mobile ‘Handheld’ devices can be made largely hands-free through the use of accessories. Often a hands-free benefit comes from not having to remove or pick up a device from its holder in order to use it, and then return it to its home to handle the product. By leveraging accessories such as shoulder straps and hip flips, a user can easily access the device when needed. It can also be released at their side so as to be hands-free without having to return the device to a piece of equipment or holding place. Again, while not completely hands-free, in some cases this can be very effective.

A more recent development, in the last year or so, is the Bluetooth Ring Scanner. Now, this is an advancement that I really like and I believe it truly offers a hands-free middle ground between traditional devices and Voice. The Bluetooth Ring Scanner can be paired with most Bluetooth enabled devices, is strapped on the back of the hand, and attached to the finger for scanning. The user hardly recognizes the presence of the scanner. The scanner is light, compact and causes no interference or fatigue. If you have Bluetooth enabled devices that can be mounted to your lift trucks, carts or other equipment, the user can get visual direction from the mounted device and scan bar codes with the ring scanner. The user never has to pick up, release or set down the device. Also, the Bluetooth Ring Scanner enhances the previous option when leveraging mobile handhelds and accessories.

While we will not go into them here, there are certainly other technologies that can introduce levels of hands-free options to the warehouse. Some of those technologies involve fixed scanners, conveyors, carousels, pick to light and RFID systems. The leaders in the industry are always working on new developments and I expect we will see some exciting new options introduced in the not too distant future. Phil, if you can read this response over all the ‘noise’, I hope it helps and thanks for the question.

Rick Register, industry veteran and President & COO of Cambar Solutions, welcomes your questions.

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