Pick-by-vision of Augmented Reality in Warehouse Picking Process Optimization – A Review

Augmented Reality (AR) is one of the most notable technologies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR4.0), which uses the capabilities of computer-generated display, sound, text, and effects to improve the user's real-world experience through wearable equipment. Order picking operations in warehouse management systems (WMS) have a significant impact on overall operating efficiency. The conventional picking process is laborious to handle, which may result in deviations from predefined picking performance. Pick-by-vision, a new technology solution for order picking, is becoming increasingly popular and has been recognized as an essential technology supporting WMS nowadays. This article is a short review of AR pick-by-vision utilization to investigate the potential benefits and opportunities in optimizing warehouse picking operations. Besides presenting the basic concept of AR pick-by-vision, this study also produces a taxonomy layout of literature reviews for AR technology in WMS, to demonstrate the focus of the main area of the study. By reviewing 23 documents of AR pick-by-vision technology application, the analysis has produced important key findings, which are significant to the potential benefits of AR pick-by-vision implementation in optimizing the warehouse operation. The accumulation of knowledge and actionable insights in this study will benefit both academics and practitioners interested in this emerging smart technology for future research.