US Department of Defense piloting 5G-enabled 'smart' robotic warehouse
The United States Department of Defense (DoD), will be installing a state-of-the-art automated storage and retrieval system as part of the KPMG LLP team’s prototype solution at the Marine Corps Logistics Command (MARCORLOGCOM) 5G Smart Warehouse Experiment in Albany, Ga.
In October 2020, the DoD 5G-to-Next G Initiative (5GI), overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, announced $600 million in awards for 5G experimentation across numerous U.S. military test sites. Focused on increasing and optimizing the performance of the warehouse, the Albany-based 5G-enhanced warehouse will feature a new ASRS high bandwidth and ultra-low latency solution in tandem with maximum wireless security to allow for the development and testing of autonomous robotic inventory management and augmented and virtual reality applications for improved workforce efficiency in warehouse operations.
The ASRS application system in Albany’s 5G-powered warehouse demonstrates the diversification of fulfillment in today’s landscape beyond e-commerce. KPMG is looking forward to working closely with the U.S. DoD to optimize operations for the United States Marine Corps (USMC).”
The new ASRS scalable automated storage and retrieval system condenses traditional warehouse aisles into a single, vertical structure. Inside the structure, robotic shuttles move in three-dimensional space to allow for additional storage capacity and throughput to support growth without the need for expansion. Accompanied by Federated Wireless’ private LTE network, The new ASRS enables unprecedented capabilities to command an ultra-fast and reliable robotic fleet, ensuring that real-time information is not only reported, but works in conjunction with artificial intelligence routing and correction.
The new Albany facility’s logistics operations include identification, recording, organization, storage, retrieval, and inventory control of material and supplies. Additionally, the ‘smart warehouse’ will create an opportunity for testing, refining, and validating emerging 5G-enabled technologies.
