IKEA is bringing some high-tech assistance to its warehouses by introducing AI-powered drones. These new “colleagues” are designed to assist the company’s employees with one of the most time-consuming and physically demanding tasks in warehouse operations—inventory management. Let’s take a look at what this means for IKEA and how these drones will work alongside human employees.

What are AI drones?

AI drones are small, flying robots equipped with advanced artificial intelligence and cameras. They are programmed to fly around Ikea’s distribution centers, where they scan and photograph product storage locations. Their main job is to keep track of inventory, making sure everything is in the right place and that stock levels are recorded correctly.

These drones aren’t just simple machines—they’re smart. They use AI algorithms to navigate the warehouse, reaching even the highest shelves that are hard for humans to reach. They can also detect obstacles in their path and reroute themselves to avoid collisions, ensuring they don’t interfere with other operations.

How will these drones work?

Drones operate around the clock, which means they can perform inventory checks 24/7 without any breaks. This continuous operation is a significant upgrade from traditional inventory methods, which often require human workers to stop other tasks to count stock manually. With drones, inventory checks are performed automatically and more frequently, leading to faster and more accurate stock management.

Each drone’s flight path is determined in advance, and they use a custom indoor positioning system to find their way around the warehouse. They are specifically designed to handle the complex layout of Ikea’s distribution centers, including navigating high-level storage (level 3 and above).

Once the drones capture the necessary data, it is immediately processed and shared with the warehouse management system. This real-time data allows Ikea employees to make quick decisions, such as restocking items or re-ordering products that are running low.

What does this mean for Ikea employees?

For IKEA employees, these drones are more than just a technological upgrade; they’re a tool to make their jobs easier. Traditionally, checking inventory has been a labor-intensive task that required employees to physically climb stairs, carry heavy items, and manually count products. With drones taking over this responsibility, employees are freed up to focus on more customer-centric tasks like improving the shopping experience.

In addition, drones reduce physical stress on workers. By eliminating the need for repetitive, strenuous movements, the risk of injury and fatigue is reduced. This change not only improves the well-being of employees but also increases overall productivity in the warehouse.

Ikea has already tested these drones at a distribution center in Winterslag, Belgium, and the results have been promising. Now, the company plans to expand this technology to more locations in Europe and North America. The move is part of Ikea’s broader strategy to integrate advanced technology into its operations, aimed at creating a more efficient and safer work environment.

In the coming years, we can expect these AI drones to become a common sight in Ikea’s warehouses, silently moving around and helping maintain the company’s massive inventory. For IKEA employees, these drones are more than just machines; they’re new co-workers that make the workday a little easier and more efficient.