The retail industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by operational efficiency and rising fulfillment labor cost, and growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud, and robotic order fulfillment. In the last three years alone, there have been over 59,000 patents filed and granted in the retail industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Robotics in retail: automated order fulfillment. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 126,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the retail industry, there are 50+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Automated order fulfillment is a key innovation area in robotics
Automated order fulfillment refers to the utilization of advanced systems and technology to meet customer order requirements precisely and efficiently with minimal human intervention. The comprehensive process encompasses the seamless and automated execution of tasks such as item selection, packaging, and shipping. The optimization of order fulfillment operations relies on a spectrum of cutting-edge technologies, including robotics, computer vision, and machine learning, all aimed at enhancing the overall efficiency of the process.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 185+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established retail companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of automated order fulfillment.
Key players in automated order fulfillment – a disruptive innovation in the retail industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to automated order fulfillment
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Leading patent filers in the automated order fulfillment space include United Parcel Service, Walmart, Nuro, Cox Enterprises, and Coupang. Walmart has been proactively embracing warehouse automation to bolster its profitability. Through the incorporation of advanced automation technologies such as autonomous robots and artificial intelligence, Walmart is strategically enhancing its supply chain operations, thereby boosting efficiency across the board. The automation initiatives have empowered Walmart to enhance inventory management precision, elevate the efficiency of automated order fulfillment processes, and reduce costs associated with labor and logistics.
In terms of application diversity, Cox Enterprises is the leading company in automated order fulfillment, while Walmart and Alphabet are in the second and third positions, respectively.
In terms of geographic reach, Nuro leads the pack, followed by FedEx and State Farm Mutual.
The major advantages of automated order fulfillment utilizing robotics are strengthening operational efficiency, precision in order processing, and optimal space utilization. As automation continues its transformative journey in the fulfillment landscape, integrating robotics paves the way for innovation, integrating AI and machine learning to realize predictive inventory management and elevate the entirety of the supply chain process.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the retail industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Robotics in Retail and Apparel.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
