Live from MODEX 2026, Kevin chats with the EPG team. Jett Chitanand, President of EPG USA, and Jason Wojtal and Ryan Absil discuss how AI in warehouse operations is evolving beyond dashboards and automation hype. Together, the demos demonstrate how AI and workforce technology are increasingly integrated into modern operations.

AI Warehouse Operations Focus on Real Problems

EPG took a different approach to AI at MODEX, focusing on operational friction within the warehouse. Chitanand explained that the company’s goal is practical execution, not AI for the sake of AI. As he put it, “We are focused on solving real-life problems inside the warehouse.”

EPG Aura sits on top of warehouse systems and connects workflows, documentation, and operational processes into one AI-powered environment. During the demo, Wojtal showed how Aura could scan damaged delivery paperwork, recognize the information, and automatically process it into the system. He explained, “With our solution, our image recognition is about 95%.”

The platform also integrates conversational AI into workflows. Chitanand described how operators can interact with the system naturally, saying, “We can scan it, and then say, or even talk with it, just like you talk with ChatGPT.”

EPG Aura Expands Warehouse Visibility

One of the more interesting demonstrations involved intelligent video analysis. Aura analyzes warehouse video streams in real time and identifies exceptions that leaders might otherwise miss. The system can monitor dropped cartons, dwell time, overcrowding, missing safety vests, and pallet activity.

Wojtal described the functionality simply: “It’s an extra set of eyes for you there.”

The key difference is customization. Users define what matters operationally. Aura then continuously monitors for those exceptions. Wojtal explained, “You ask what alerts you want, and it’s in plain text.”

That flexibility extends into orchestration workflows as well. During one example, Aura detected that a carrier ETA had shifted significantly and identified five orders at risk of missing SLAs. Instead of forcing managers to use multiple systems, the platform automatically generated recommended actions. Wojtal noted that Aura is “constantly analyzing what’s happening” and “gives you recommended actions.”

Importantly, operators still stay in control. Wojtal emphasized, “It won’t do anything unless you say, yes, take action.”

That human-in-the-loop model may become one of the most important themes in AI warehouse operations moving forward.

Gamification Brings Engagement to Voice Picking

EPG also showcased new gamification capabilities within Lydia Voice. The concept introduces gaming mechanics into warehouse picking workflows through leaderboards, badges, rankings, coins, and audio-based feedback.

Ryan Absil explained the strategy clearly: “Gamification is bringing context of gaming elements into Lydia’s voice.”

The idea is not simply entertainment. EPG sees gamification as a way to improve motivation and retention in physically demanding warehouse environments. Chitanand explained, “Warehouse jobs are so demanding, and the workers are, you know, you could suffer from low motivation.”

The Lydia system provides real-time audio feedback during picking workflows. Workers hear updates when they earn coins, increase productivity, or move to higher-ranking tiers.

Absil said the larger goal is sustained engagement over long shifts. He explained, “The goal of gamification is to take a repetitive task over again over a long period of time and make that more enjoyable for the user.”

That strategy may resonate especially with younger generations of the workforce, already accustomed to digital rewards and gaming environments.

Key Takeaways

• EPG won a best product award at LogiMAT for Aura and received an MHI Innovation Award nomination for Lydia’s gamification features
• EPG Aura combines warehouse visibility, workflow orchestration, and AI-driven recommendations into one operational environment
• The platform generates recommended operational actions while keeping humans in control of execution decisions.
• Lydia Voice gamification introduces leaderboards, rewards, rankings, and audio feedback into warehouse picking workflows.
• EPG partnered with NVIDIA to support Aura’s observer use cases