Intralogistics managers attending the upcoming Materials Handling Middle East exhibition in Dubai, UAE, will learn how they can optimise the flow of goods in an automated warehouse using virtual reality 3D technology.

More than 130 exhibitors from 21 countries representing 250 brands will showcase innovative solutions at the event, which is the region’s dedicated trade show for warehousing, intralogistics and supply chain solutions.

The event will take place from September 11 to 13, Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Armed with HTC Vive Goggles, supply chain heads will experience how different technologies in fully automated warehouses such as robotics and Industry 4.0 can work together.

The Virtual Reality 3D warehouse animation will be showcased by Swisslog, one of the world’s leading suppliers of robot-based and data-driven intralogistics solutions.  

Daniel Hauser, managing director for Central Europe and the Middle East at Swisslog Warehouse and Distribution Solutions, said that while visitors can explore an automated warehouse in a fun way, they can also experience first-hand its unique benefits.

Hauser said: “Virtual Reality 3D warehouse animation will become a real service for customers in the future, and there are different ideas within Swisslog on how it can be deployed in the intralogistics world.”

“It can be used in sales to show buyers what their future systems would look like up and running on site, and it can be used to simulate systems to determine the optimal material flow or to observe performance during projected peak times,” he said.

“Another vision is to provide access and track live operations of any facility in the world, as well as play back historical data for error analyses,” he added.

The Virtual Reality 3D warehouse animation is one of several Swisslog innovations at Materials Handling Middle East 2017, the region’s dedicated trade fair for intralogistics, supply chain management, freight and cargo.

Swisslog will also introduce its new AutoPiQ solution, a robot based automated picking solution for small items, ideal for e-commerce, pharmaceutical or spare parts logistics.

Meanwhile, the event will feature other leading warehousing automation specialists such as Kardex, GreyOrange, SSI Schaefer, and Daifuku, the world’s largest materials handling systems supplier.

Andrey Kras, account manager at Daifuku’s International Business Department, said the company also plans to use virtual reality at its booth so customers can visualise automated systems of their choice.  

Kras said: “The hotness of the automation topic in previous years was measured by the level of surprise and discoveries made by Middle East managers as to how automated equipment can benefit their businesses.”

“Now is the time to make business decisions and start buying new automated systems,” Kras added.

The 9th edition of Materials Handling Middle East arrives as analysts Frost & Sullivan estimate the Gulf Cooperation Council’s (GCC) materials handling equipment market to grow four per cent annually up to 2020, when revenues will reach around $4.8 to $5 billion.

Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of the event, said: “The influx of leading players to our show underlines the enormous potential of the region as a leading market for materials handling, warehousing and supply chain solutions.”

“The event will continue to be the place that hosts key business deals and where fruitful partnerships are forged,” he added. – TradeArabia News Service