Objective and background of the survey
According to a press release from the Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics (IML), a nationwide company survey on the topic of piece picking has been launched. The aim is to record the current level of automation in single-item picking in Germany and to analyse technological developments. According to the press release, the aim is to create a reliable data basis in order to better assess the status and future of order picking.
Target audience and thematic focus
According to Fraunhofer, the survey is primarily aimed at companies in manufacturing, trade, logistics, and the pharmaceutical and chemical industries. In particular, it addresses senior employees with responsibility for order picking. The survey focuses on current trends, challenges, and the use of modern technologies such as robotics and driverless transport systems (FTS). Furthermore, it investigates the extent to which these technologies are already being combined and how widespread automated piece-picking is in practice.
Procedure, Participation and Benefits
According to the press release, participation is anonymous, takes around ten minutes and is available in German and English. The survey will run until 30 April 2026 and, according to Fraunhofer, the results will be presented at the „Future Logistics Congress - 44th Dortmund Talks“ in September 2026. Participating companies will receive key results in advance by email on request. By participating, they not only contribute to transparency in the field of order picking, but also support the development of practical and innovative technologies.
Fraunhofer IML
The Fraunhofer Institute for Material Flow and Logistics IML is a research organisation that focuses on topics relating to logistics, material flow and supply chain management. According to Fraunhofer, the institute develops practical solutions and innovative technologies for companies and organisations. The aim is to make logistics processes more efficient, sustainable and future-proof.
Source: Press release Fraunhofer IML (Christian Fischer)