The idea that robots will one day take over the world has been satirically suggested for almost as long as technology has existed. While robots are not yet controlling how we function as a species, they are progressing rapidly, with the global robotics technology market predicted to be worth $283.19 billion by 2032. This growth is positively impacting the way industries work, providing various services that speed up the work of human hands. The beauty industry has dabbled with robots for some time now, using them to provide pamper treatments at JFK Airport and diversifying retail offerings across Europe, among other examples. The latest beauty/robot hybrid comes from ForwardX Robotics and Japanese beauty brand Pola Orbis, which have collaborated to create Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) that transform warehouse operations.
The collaboration stemmed from Pola Orbis' desire to innovate its product inventory handling and packaging that could be used in its 100 cosmetics stores and to deal with its 500+ SKUs. FowardX Robotics provided the beauty brand with AMRs equipped with built-in weighing scales that cater to the brand's specific operation requirements. The robots meet Pola Orbis' particular needs, programmed to recognize the exact weight of the brand's offerings, providing picking accuracy of 99.99% with over 99.9% uptime. The AMR operates with a payload capacity of 300 to 600 kg and has the ability to pick and pack products within the warehouse, preparing them for shipment to the consumer. The robots control and power the scales themselves, eliminating the need for consistent recharging from warehouse workers.
Since installing the AMRs, Pola Orbis reported an immediate pattern of results. The robots have helped to achieve a 30% reduction in workers' traveling distance, a 25% reduction in labor costs, and a 10% decrease in logistics costs.
Pola Orbis' choice to utilize AMRs in the warehouse comes after it was predicted that Coty could save $500 million a year at its manufacturing facility in Maryland, where eight robots are stationed and in charge of picking and packaging Coty's beauty and cosmetics products. Unilever follows closely behind, with the company's robots Gwen and Ariana, among others, responsible for material innovation at the brand's ($54 million) facility in North England. According to Vogue Business, Gwen analyzes the density of products, processing 96 samples per day while Ariana tests for stretches, damage prevention, and longevity, with over 200 fibers being processed in under 30 minutes.
"Efficiency is especially key," says Lori Steele, President and Chief Revenue Officer at Salesforce EMEA, when discussing the use of AI in the warehouse. "In the current inflationary environment, we see companies focused on time to value, reducing costs, and consolidating vendor relationships. [The technology] allows CEOs to be far more agile and impactful when key business decisions need to be made and quickly."
Robotic technology continues to advance, and many already have and will continue to question what jobs remain for the workers that once populated such warehouses. As suggested by the implementation of the ForwardX Robotics AMRs and Steele's comments, the use of robots should be viewed as a positive step in the beauty industry, giving previous warehouse workers the opportunity to engage in other aspects of business as well as helping them grow their capabilities and revenue. As AI continues to infiltrate its way through the beauty industry, each new day will bring innovative and exciting opportunities for a wide variety of businesses.
