IKEA announces a new phase in drone technology with AI-powered systems designed to operate alongside co-workers around the clock. Following a successful year of testing at the Distribution Centre in Winterslag, Belgium, IKEA will expand this system to additional locations over the next year.
This upgraded system, set to boost operational efficiency, automates the physically demanding task of stock inventory. By streamlining this process, IKEA aims to improve both accuracy and speed in stock management while freeing up co-workers to focus on enhancing customer experience. The integration of drones represents IKEA's ongoing commitment to innovation, building on its 2021 collaboration with Verity to create autonomous drone solutions for warehouses.
As of now, over 250 drones are active across 73 IKEA locations in nine countries. These drones perform continuous inventory checks without disrupting workflows, offering real-time data that enables employees to take immediate action. IKEA highlights that this transformation also benefits employee well-being by reducing the ergonomic strain of manual inventory tasks, improving both job satisfaction and long-term health.
IKEA plans to expand drone capabilities and enhance analytics, aiming to optimize operations and elevate the customer experience.
