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Robot-storage zone assignment strategies in mobile fulfillment systems

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  • Roy, Debjit
  • Nigam, Shobhit
  • de Koster, René
  • Adan, Ivo
  • Resing, Jacques

Abstract

The robotic mobile fulfillment system (MFS) is widely used for automating storage pick and pack activities in e-commerce distribution centers. In this system, the items are stored on movable storage shelves, also known as inventory pods, and brought to the order pick stations by robotic drive units. We develop stylized performance evaluation models to analyze both order picking and replenishment processes in a mobile fulfillment system storage zone, based on multi-class closed queueing network models. To analyze robot assignment strategies for multiple storage zones, we develop a two-stage stochastic model. For a single storage zone, we compare dedicated and pooled robot systems for pod retrieval and replenishment. For multiple storage zones, we also analyze the effect of assigning robots to least congested zones on system throughput in comparison to random zone assignment. The models are validated using detailed simulations. For single zones, the expected throughput time for order picking reduces to one-third of its initial value by using pooled robots instead of dedicated robots; however, the expected replenishment time estimate increases up to three times. For multiple zones, we find that robots that are assigned to storage zones with dedicated and shortest queues provide a greater throughput than robots assigned at random to the zones.

Suggested Citation

  • Roy, Debjit & Nigam, Shobhit & de Koster, René & Adan, Ivo & Resing, Jacques, 2019. "Robot-storage zone assignment strategies in mobile fulfillment systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 119-142.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:transe:v:122:y:2019:i:c:p:119-142
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tre.2018.11.005
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    Cited by:

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    2. Leung, Eric K.H. & Lee, Carmen Kar Hang & Ouyang, Zhiyuan, 2022. "From traditional warehouses to Physical Internet hubs: A digital twin-based inbound synchronization framework for PI-order management," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    3. Bingqian WANG & Xiuqing YANG & Mingyao QI, 2023. "Order and rack sequencing in a robotic mobile fulfillment system with multiple picking stations," Flexible Services and Manufacturing Journal, Springer, vol. 35(2), pages 509-547, June.
    4. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei & Hassini, Elkafi, 2022. "Order picking optimization with rack-moving mobile robots and multiple workstations," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(2), pages 527-544.
    5. Fragapane, Giuseppe & de Koster, René & Sgarbossa, Fabio & Strandhagen, Jan Ola, 2021. "Planning and control of autonomous mobile robots for intralogistics: Literature review and research agenda," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 294(2), pages 405-426.
    6. Jiang, Min & Huang, George Q., 2022. "Intralogistics synchronization in robotic forward-reserve warehouses for e-commerce last-mile delivery," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 158(C).
    7. Sun, Yige & Chung, Sai-Ho & Wen, Xin & Ma, Hoi-Lam, 2021. "Novel robotic job-shop scheduling models with deadlock and robot movement considerations," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
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    9. Justkowiak, Jan-Erik & Pesch, Erwin, 2023. "Stronger mixed-integer programming-formulations for order- and rack-sequencing in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 305(3), pages 1063-1078.
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    14. Jianming Cai & Xiaokang Li & Yue Liang & Shan Ouyang, 2021. "Collaborative Optimization of Storage Location Assignment and Path Planning in Robotic Mobile Fulfillment Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-26, May.
    15. Gharehgozli, Amir & Zaerpour, Nima, 2020. "Robot scheduling for pod retrieval in a robotic mobile fulfillment system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    16. Li, Xiaowei & Hua, Guowei & Huang, Anqiang & Sheu, Jiuh-Biing & Cheng, T.C.E. & Huang, Fengquan, 2020. "Storage assignment policy with awareness of energy consumption in the Kiva mobile fulfilment system," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    17. Zhuang, Yanling & Zhou, Yun & Hassini, Elkafi & Yuan, Yufei & Hu, Xiangpei, 2022. "Rack retrieval and repositioning optimization problem in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    18. Jiang, Min & Leung, K.H. & Lyu, Zhongyuan & Huang, George Q., 2020. "Picking-replenishment synchronization for robotic forward-reserve warehouses," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    19. Sun, Xuting & Kuo, Yong-Hong & Xue, Weili & Li, Yanzhi, 2024. "Technology-driven logistics and supply chain management for societal impacts," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    20. Lu Zhen & Jingwen Wu & Haolin Li & Zheyi Tan & Yingying Yuan, 2023. "Scheduling multiple types of equipment in an automated warehouse," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 322(2), pages 1119-1141, March.
    21. Lamballais, T. & Merschformann, M. & Roy, D. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Azadeh, K. & Suhl, L., 2022. "Dynamic policies for resource reallocation in a robotic mobile fulfillment system with time-varying demand," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 300(3), pages 937-952.
    22. Xie, Lin & Thieme, Nils & Krenzler, Ruslan & Li, Hanyi, 2021. "Introducing split orders and optimizing operational policies in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 288(1), pages 80-97.
    23. Boysen, Nils & Schwerdfeger, Stefan & Stephan, Konrad, 2023. "A review of synchronization problems in parts-to-picker warehouses," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 307(3), pages 1374-1390.
    24. Justkowiak, Jan-Erik & Pesch, Erwin, 2023. "A column generation driven heuristic for order-scheduling and rack-sequencing in robotic mobile fulfillment systems," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    25. Kaveh Azadeh & René De Koster & Debjit Roy, 2019. "Robotized and Automated Warehouse Systems: Review and Recent Developments," Transportation Science, INFORMS, vol. 53(4), pages 917-945, July.

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