Honeywell and Corvus Robotics: Automating Inventory Tracking

Corvus Robotics is quickly making a name for itself, deploying fully-autonomous, infrastructure-free drones across numerous warehouses and production plants for efficient, accurate inventory management.

The firm's data-driven, robot-as-a-service model is already allowing companies such as MSI Surfaces and Staci Americas to quickly respond to changes in demand, reduce labour costs, save hundreds of thousands of dollars and, most importantly, enhance customer experience.

Now, in a significant step forward for Corvus Robotics, barcode-decoding software from Honeywell has been integrated into its drones, which fly without human operators. 

Improving inventory management

SwiftDecoder is focused on improving how retailers, manufacturers and distributors manage inventory at both case and pallet level. 

The technology is already in use across a range of industrial applications, but this implementation sees it deployed in fully-autonomous drones for warehouse use.

With labour availability continuing to impact supply chain operations, the goal is to reduce pressure on human teams by automating essential tasks such as inventory audits.

Jackie Wu, CEO at Corvus Robotics, explains: "We selected Honeywell’s SwiftDecoder software for our cutting-edge drones due to the company’s long-standing expertise in the warehousing sector and the software’s ability to efficiently and reliably acquire data, even in complex and fast-moving DC environments.

"With Honeywell’s software and our in-house proprietary case counting AI technology, we can quickly decode many cases in one location, all at once. Together, Corvus Robotics and Honeywell are empowering warehouses and distribution centres to better manage inventory, reduce operational expenses and streamline the overall flow of goods throughout the supply chain.”

SwiftDecoder offers barcode scanning at scale

Built to decode barcodes efficiently, Honeywell's SwiftDecoder is known for its ability to perform batch scanning, capturing multiple barcodes in one pass, making it ideal for integration with autonomous drones for rapid inventory counting. 

Now equipped with this technology, the Corvus One Autonomous Inventory Management System uses on-board cameras and sensors to carry out scans while flying. It navigates aisles and racks in high-density storage areas, where manual scanning would be slow or impractical.

The drone does not require GPS, Wi-Fi or beacons for positioning and guidance. Instead, it relies on computer vision, a method of using image recognition to interpret surroundings and identify barcodes and cases in real time.

This gives warehouses the ability to conduct audits more frequently and with more precision. Importantly, it also reduces the need for workers to manually access high shelves or low-visibility locations.

Reducing discrepancies and redirecting labour

Corvus Robotics and Honeywell's partnership promises both speed and reliability. 

By automating inventory audits, companies reduce the risk of miscounts and gain access to real-time data.

With SwiftDecoder’s batch scanning and Corvus One’s AI-driven case counting, the system can calculate stock levels with precision. That data is available immediately, which means businesses can make faster, more informed decisions and react to disruptions without delay.

Demand for high-volume, real-time visibility is growing in line with supply chain complexity. The use of drones in inventory management is aimed at enabling businesses to keep pace without depending on additional headcount. Instead, existing workers can be redeployed to other tasks that are harder to automate or that bring more strategic value.

David Barker, President of Honeywell Productivity Solutions and Services, adds: "As the labour shortage continues to plague the supply chain, we know that companies are looking for solutions to supplement their human workforce.”

“By automating inventory counting and providing real-time data, the Honeywell-Corvus Robotics solution will help retailers keep up with growing demand and complexity, reduce inventory discrepancies and errors and improve overall supply chain performance.”

Explore the latest edition of Supply Chain Digital Magazine and be part of the conversation at our global conference series, Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE.

Discover all our upcoming events and secure your tickets today. 

Supply Chain Digital is a BizClik brand.