Process understanding and optimization with Bluetooth-Beacons

Is data dominating logistics? This question is explored in the Irgendwas mit Logistik #IWML report, in which we were allowed to contribute part of an article.

More and more companies are striving to improve their processes in terms of efficiency and ergonomics. Data plays a crucial role in this and brings with it a lot of potential. Often, companies do not use their full potential and only utilize a limited amount. Our article explains how and where Motion-Mining? technology can help here. In doing so, we shed light on how data collection with beacons works. Here you will find a summary:

To holistically capture human capabilities, we used sensors and beacons and are thus able to analyze the collected data. With the help of Motion-Mining? technology, we can analyze a variety of manual work processes in an automated way. The areas of application range from logistics and production to retail. Employees wear three sensors (wearables) on their wrists and belts to record the data. Localization can occur through a Bluetooth-Beacon network through these sensors worn during normal operations. Machine learning and artificial intelligence is used to convert the acquired data into readable metrics, such as waiting times per region, activity times per process, load durations, or unhealthy bending/lifting movements. The data obtained can also be further processed to create a wide variety of diagrams, outlier analyses, or heat maps of the warehouse or production areas.

?

Practical example of the use of beacons to analyze manual activities using Motion-Mining?

One successful use case in which Motion-Mining? technology was applied and beacons were used together with mobile sensors in particular is a project in a logistics center of the wholesaler Blumenbecker. Here, an automated analysis of manual activities was successfully carried out with the help of our technology.

For the data collection of the project, four employees per shift took part in the measurement during one week. The collected data was stored in a docking station and uploaded at the end of the shift. An important and sensitive issue in the collection of this motion data is data privacy. The measurement methodology developed by us MotionMiners ensures throughout that the data is collected and analyzed absolutely anonymously (expert-approved; no need to apply the GDPR).

During the project, all picking areas, such as the preparation of picking carts, shelving system, pallet racks, hazardous goods, bulky goods, and the office were equipped with Beacons and were part of the recording. In total, the area was equipped with 106 beacons, dividing it into 85 relevant areas. The collected data is visualized in an analytics dashboard. Through the analysis, possible efficiency increases of up to 40% in individual areas and recommendations for reducing bending movements were identified. The Motion-Mining? project made it possible to immediately identify recommendations for action that should be implemented in the short, medium, or long term.

Technology for the warehouses of the future

As our use case shows, beacon technology has the potential to revolutionize intralogistics. Beacons can help to better understand process inefficiencies in order to further improve the productivity and ergonomics of warehouse processes. What is exciting here is that beacons are not competing against people, but rather to improve the work of employees in a warehouse.

?

Anyone who is fundamentally interested in the topic of "beacon technology" should also take a look at the Munich-based start-up Digilo GmbH . We wrote the article in cooperation with Nicolas Lassal and Tino KOUMASSE .

Download the entire IWML report.