NFI Industries has continued to expand its operations, including Gather AI drones to improve delivery in its services. The company has grown to become one of the most recognized logistics providers in North America, spanning sectors ranging from food and beverage to e-commerce and manufacturing, with a headquarters in Camden, New Jersey.
The need to streamline warehouse processes
Given the rapid growth, NFI faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled labor and the need to maximize the use of space due to high real estate costs, which has led to an increase in the installation of high racks. This has made inventory operations both logistically complex and potentially dangerous for assigned personnel.
[post_relacionado]Greater automation has also been introduced in its warehouses. Although autonomous mobile robots have been effective on the ground, the company has sought aerial solutions to complement these technologies. This is where drones, equipped with artificial intelligence technology, perform their role, bringing the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles from external environments to the confines of a warehouse.
Innovating inventory management with Gather AI drones
The traditional inventory management task at NFI, which involved the manual use of barcode readers, was both tedious and inefficient. In 2023, the company, in collaboration with Gather AI, a provider of AI-based inventory management systems, began a proof of concept that demonstrated that drones can improve inventory count times, and reallocate labor, to other essential activities within the warehouse.
During the pilot, the drones demonstrated an impressive ability to operate autonomously without interventions , performing scanning tasks with near-perfect precision and keeping personnel safe on the ground. This innovation not only increased productivity but also job satisfaction among employees.
Gather AI: simplifying technology
The implementation of this technology was facilitated by Gather AI , which took care of everything from installation to integration with warehouse management systems. The drones can be easily operated via an iPad app, use shelf labels to navigate and capture images of inventories, offering scanning capabilities that far exceed traditional methodologies.
Drones allow for more precise inspection and evaluation. Source: Gather AI.
The results have been so positive that NFI plans to expand the use of this technology to other facilities across the country. Drone integration has improved operational efficiency and has also had a positive impact on staff, changing their initial perception of automation and how it can benefit their roles within the company.
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Source and photo: Gather AI