Review Robotic shopping: Inside one of Kroger’s fulfillment centers in Florida Transcript by FOX 35 Orlando.
According to Kroger (2021), in order to introduce proprietary technology solutions centered on artificial intelligence, cutting-edge robotics and automation, and creative solutions to create more seamless and efficient fulfillment, picking, and delivery capabilities to provide customers with anything, anytime, anywhere, and to expand Kroger’s reach and products to new geographies, Kroger and Ocado formed an exclusive partnership in May 2018.
According to Tim Steiner, co-founder and CEO of Ocado Group, “the launch of the first Customer Fulfillment Center marks a historic milestone for grocery retail in the U.S.” Since establishing their relationship in 2018, Ocado and Kroger teams have worked closely together to set the groundwork for the expansion of their cutting-edge fulfillment network across the nation, enabling Kroger to serve consumers whenever and wherever they are in the country.
As a vertically integrated network, Kroger Delivery may cover an area up to 90 miles from the hub and a lot more when spoken sites are linked. Over 1,000 bots operate in these highly automated Customer Fulfillment Centers, flying over enormous 3D grids under the supervision of unlicensed proprietary air traffic control systems. Totes carrying goods and client orders that are ready to be delivered are located on the grid, also known as The Hive.
The bots acquire products from The Hive and present them at pick stations for things to be sorted for distribution, a process driven by algorithms that guarantee items are sensibly packaged as customers’ orders get closer to their delivery dates. Fragile products are, for instance, put on top of bags, which are uniformly weighted, and each order is designed to fit into the fewest number of bags possible, which reduces the usage of plastic.
Items are put onto a temperature-controlled Kroger Delivery van, which has space for up to 20 items after being packaged. Delivery routes are dynamically optimized using strong machine-learning algorithms that take into account things like optimal fuel economy and road conditions.
Directions:
Explain the concept of an automotive storage and retrieval system. What are the advantages of using this type of technology-based device in a warehouse? Disadvantages? Describe in detail the Kroger Company’s Hive operations.
Your term paper should be at least 3–4 pages long (not including the title and reference page) and highlight the history behind automotive storage and retrieval systems, how Kroger has implemented the concept into their operations, and how the company is delivering goods to the Jacksonville area when they do not have a physical store in our area. Your paper must contain a title and reference page in APA 7 format, be written in Times New Roman 12 font, and be double-spaced. Headings should be used to highlight key areas of your paper.
