Companies Count on Drones for Accurate Inventory Management

Nokia has expanded its Autonomous Inventory Monitoring Service (AIMS) to include an inventory counting capability for drones. Ikea first launched drone technology in its warehouses back in 2021. Now, the company is furthering its use of drones with the use of an AI-powered drone system. Both companies have deployed inventory drone technology to boost operational efficiency and accuracy and open up workers to higher-value tasks.

Autonomous drones can help companies prevent revenue loss by keeping better track of inventory (click to enlarge). Image used courtesy of Nokia

Warehouse Inventory Management

Warehouse inventory shrinkage can significantly impact a company's revenue, accounting for 3-5 percent of a loss of profits. This shrinkage refers to the loss of inventory because of theft, damage, administrative errors, and supplier fraud, resulting in a difference between recorded and actual inventory. Administrative errors alone can contribute to 25 percent of the shrinkage. By using autonomous drones to keep track of inventory, companies can improve their inventory management, thus reducing warehouse shrinkage. 

First-person perspective of autonomous drone utilizing Nokia AIMS to take stock of inventory. Image used courtesy of Nokia 

Nokia’s Drone Inventory Counting

Nokia seeks to reduce customers’ warehouse shrinkage and projects a 40 percent or more return on investment with the launch of its inventory counting add-on, part of Nokia AIMS. Nokia AIMS is an autonomous drone service for warehouse inventory management. The newly-launched add-on enables “true” inventory counting, where drones individually count inventory. 

According to Nokia’s General Manager, AIMS, Paul Heitlineger, the add-on is designed to provide customers with cutting-edge technology and free up workers for more complex tasks. The inventory counting add-on is designed to conduct inventory checks at a higher frequency and with greater accuracy than human workers, providing warehouses with a truer count of their stock levels. According to Nokia, the inventory counting add-on operates 7-10 times faster than human workers.

IKEA employee working alongside Ikea’s AI-powered autonomous drones. Image (modified) used courtesy of INGKA 

IKEA’s AI-Powered Drones 

Since 2021, IKEA has utilized autonomous drones in its warehouses and distribution centers. Now, the international retailer is expanding its use of drones with an AI-powered upgrade. The drone upgrade will enable around-the-clock inventory management. IKEA aims to use this technology to improve stock management and free up workers for higher-level tasks.

With AI-powered drones, workers can access data directly from the drones and handle tasks as required rather than spending time searching for work, thereby boosting overall employee productivity. Furthermore, this technology alleviates the ergonomic strain on workers by eliminating the need to move heavy ladders repeatedly throughout the day. 

The drones at IKEA's distribution centers are designed to ensure both the employees and customers are safe. They are designed with sophisticated software and are equipped with multiple safety features, providing a secure environment within the facilities. As IKEA continues to revolutionize its operations, adopting cutting-edge technology marks a significant step towards shaping future customer and worker experiences. 

Featured image (modified) used courtesy of INGKA