Acoustic order picking
Acoustic picking, also known as Pick-by-Voice, is a voice-controlled picking system. The order picker's commands or instructions are given by voice via a headset (wired or wireless) that connects to a specially programmed pocket PC or is part of a special order picking device.
While walking through the warehouse, the order picker receives his orders directly via the headset, using a WLAN or wireless connection to the warehouse management system behind it. The voice commands for acoustic picking are usually structured in such a way that the shelf from which the goods are to be picked is named first. Once there, a check digit is entered into the system by voice command to ensure that the order picker is standing in front of the correct shelf. Only then, after the check, is the order picker informed of how many units are to be removed. Acknowledgement and feedback to the warehouse management system is then carried out using keywords.
Advantages of acoustic picking
- The order picker can work safely and undisturbed with Pick-by-Voice, as his hands are completely free
- Higher picking performance and a lower error rate, especially compared to conventional picking slips
- Lower risk of accidents, as the surroundings can be observed intuitively and without major disruptive factors
- Prolonged high level of concentration due to lack of distraction (e.g. colleagues)
Disadvantages of acoustic picking
- No availability in all languages
- Risk of incorrect recording due to suboptimal speech recognition, i.e. increased time and correction effort
- Conversion of the labeling system to avoid longer article numbers (barcode) can become necessary (combination with hand scanner possible)
- High level of effort when removing items from the same shelf zone, as each removal must be confirmed separately
