Gartner: Humanoid Robots Will Not Join Global Supply Chains

The recent push to implement humanoid robots within a supply chain will remain a momentary blip, Gartner predicts. 

To meet the rising demand for supply chain efficiency, amid concerns of labour gaps and skills gaps, warehouses are looking at the addition of robotic helpers.

Though supply chain innovation has been at an all-time high over the last few years, with attempts to make operations much more efficient due to AI and automated tools, this may not progress much past the pilot stages. 

Supply chain hype

Gartner is a global information services, offering actionable and objective business insights across an organisation. With expertise in AI, Gartner helps businesses around the world understand changing trends and make informed decisions. Now, as humanoid robots are being developed and trialled across warehouses to partake in supply chain operations, Gartner claims that this trend will not take off. 

According to Gartner, less than 100 companies will progress humanoid robot proofs, with less than 20 going lice in production across supply chains and manufacturing by 2028. During this time, deployments of these robots will be limited to controlled environments, as opposed to busy supply chain operations.

Humanoid robots are designed to resemble human workers, as a result of their function and movements. They have gained a significant focus from supply chain leaders who are aiming to reduce ongoing workforce challenges, including labour gaps, skills gaps and rising labour costs. The robots include AI-enables systems, machine learning algorithms to allow for adapting to multiple tasks and advanced sensors for spacial awareness.

However, while these robot workers are appealing, the hype surrounding them outweighs the readiness for large-scale deployment. 

“The promise of humanoid robots is compelling, but the reality is that the technology remains immature and far from meeting expectations for versatility and cost-effectiveness,” explains Abdil Tunca, Senior Principal Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice.

“CSCOs (Chief Supply Chain Officers) must carefully evaluate readiness and avoid overcommitting resources to solutions that cannot yet deliver on their potential.”

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Barriers to adoption

Through a series of advanced mechanics, humanoid robots replicate the human form and movement, making them a great addition to a warehouse's workforce. The heads are equipped with sensors and cameras, their arms and grippers allow them to pick up and carry objects and their legs allow them to move around the warehouse or distribution centre. 

However, though this form is advantageous, Gartner notes hat alternative designs are better suited for supply chain operations. Instead, it points to polyfunctional robots which have wheels or sensors in unconventional placements to allow for better performance and adaptability. 

Although they show great potential, Gartner points out their limits to supply chain, manufacturing and logistics adoption:

• Technological limitations - current models cannot meet complex needs of high demand warehouses, lacking the dexterity, intelligence and adaptability
• Integration complexity - many of the robots cannot form compatibly with existing workflows and systems
• High costs - due to high upfront costs and ongoing maintenance needs, there are not enough proof of returns to justify this expense. They also deliver lower throughout than polyfunctional robots at a higher price
• Energy constraints - these robots have a limited battery life, which means they cannot meet the operational time needed for high-mobility tasks

Alternative solutions

Instead, Gartner points to polyfunctional robots as a strong alternative. Polyfunctional robots which have wheels and telescopic arms are able to move boxes, pick cases, scan inventory and perform inspections. When compared to humanoid robots, these tasks get undertaken faster with less energy use than their counterparts. 

Polyfunctional robots also have the capabilities to enhance efficiency and durability through the integration of new features. As as result, they are better suited for fast-paced and demanding supply chain environments, such as warehouses and distribution centres.

“Companies with a high risk appetite and focus on innovation are the best candidates for pursuing humanoid robots at present, given the unproven capabilities of these solutions, and related lack of clarity for return on investment,” adds Caleb Thomson, Senior Director Analyst in Gartner’s Supply Chain practice.

“For the majority of companies that will need to prioritise robots that maximize throughput-per-dollar invested, we expect polyfunctional robots to be the superior solution.”

Gartner suggests that supply chain leaders make strategic decisions regarding robotics investments, including the pursuing of pilot programmes in order to ensure validity. They should be open to collaboration with emerging providers to align solutions with operational needs.

To track performance and ensure improvements can be undertaken, there needs to be an implementation of continuous monitoring and an encouraging of innovation and calculated risk-taking.

Finally, supply chain leaders need to target specific bottlenecks and prioritise outcome driven automation, rather than working to a generalised strategy.

Though supply chain efficiency is the driving force behind the adoption of humanoid robots, Gartner suggests that they will not revolutionise supply chain operations.