Hybrid order picking: A simulation model of a joint manual and autonomous order picking system

Order picking is a key process in supply chains and determinant of business success many industries. still performed manually by human operators most companies; however, there are also increasingly more technologies available to automate order processes or support pickers. One concept that has not attracted much research attention so far hybrid where autonomous robots pickers work together warehouses within shared workspace for joint target. This study presents simulation model considers various system characteristics parameters systems, such as picker blocking, evaluate the performance systems. Our results show generally capable improving pure manual automated operations terms throughput total costs. Based on results, promising future potentials discussed.