Crown Equipment unveils new wearable technology option for order picking
Crown Equipment Corporation has introduced a transceiver strap wireless remote for its QuickPick® Remote order picking system, which provides warehouse and distribution managers an additional wearable option for their operators.
The transceiver strap is secured to the operator’s wrist and finger with adjustable straps, leaving their hand free for low-level order picking. It features a conveniently located, thumb-actuated button that operators press to advance the forklift to the next pick slot without having to return to the operator compartment. A wireless transceiver module that snaps into a holder on the back of the transceiver strap transmits and receives RF signals from the forklift. The strap fits over all glove types, making it ideal for cold temperature applications such as freezers and coolers.
“Wearable technology is exploding into our daily lives and we’re seeing it throughout the warehouse,” said Claudia Sebastiany, marketing product technology manager, Crown Equipment. “Everything from virtual reality headsets to smart watches and fitness monitors are giving us new ways to interact with technology and information, and a growing number of our customers are applying these technologies to improve warehouse productivity and reduce costs without compromising operator safety.
QuickPick Remote uses semi-automated truck navigation technologies to reduce low-level order picking walk steps, thereby increasing productivity and reducing operator fatigue. It allows operators to maintain consistent rhythm and pace, making the most of every second in the fast-paced picking process. Crown research has shown that the Crown QuickPick Remote system can save up to five seconds per pick at a 16 foot interpick distance. At 100 picks per hour, QuickPick Remote may generate as much as a 14 percent time savings. The technology operates independently of warehouse networks, which means it is easy to set up and does not consume any bandwidth or require any IT investments.
Along with the new transceiver strap, customers also can choose a transceiver glove or transceiver trigger to remotely advance the truck. The QuickPick Remote technology earned recognition from across the industry, receiving numerous awards for design and innovation. In January, the technology was presented with the German Design Award 2015 and the GOOD DESIGN award.
