Smart Sorting Systems: The Future of Global Logistics

Introduction: Why Sorting Matters Everywhere

Logistics centers and airports worldwide face big challenges. Manual sorting causes delays and errors costing $6.8 billion yearly. Par exemple, 12% of flight delays happen because workers take too long to load bags. Smart sorting systems fix these problems:

  1. Vitesse: Machines sort ​12,000 items/hour​ – 8x faster than humans.
  2. Accuracy: Cameras and scanners cut mistakes to ​1 wrong in 10,000.
  3. Économies de coûts: Companies save ​18% on labor costs.

This guide explains how to choose and use these systems – perfect for warehouse managers, airport teams, and tech planners.

Part 1: How Smart Sorting Works

1.1 The Tech Behind It

All systems have 4 key parts:

  1. Scanners: Read barcodes or take photos (like phone cameras).
  2. Moving belts: Carry boxes/bags to the right place.
  3. Robot arms: Push or grab items (works 24/7 without breaks).
  4. Control computer: Tells machines where to send each item.

Real example: Amazon’s robotic warehouses use laser-guided carts to sort 2 million packages daily

1.2 Why It’s Better Than Humans

ComparisonHuman WorkersSmart Systems
Vitesse (items/hour)15012,000
Mistakes3%0.01%
Cost for 5 years$1.2M$800K

According to the 2024 Global Transportation & Logistics Industry Report, the global logistics market is projected to reach $6.55 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% between 2022 et 2027 .

Part 2: Choosing the Right System

2.1 Top 3 Types for Global Use

  1. Laser Belt Sorters

    • Best for: Airports (big bags), electronics warehouses.
    • How it works: Items ride a belt; lasers scan labels and push them off at the right spot.
    • Example: UPS Worldport handles 416,000 packages/hour this way.
  2. Robot Grids

    • Best for: Small items (phones, medicines)
    • How it works: Robots on rails grab boxes from shelves.
    • Example: Alibaba’s smart warehouse in Malaysia uses 500 robots to sort 1M items daily.

Part 3: Easy Steps to Start

3.1 Budget-Friendly Plan

1.Test small: Add barcode scanners first (20K).

2.Train staff: Utilize free online courses from Murrelektronik, designed to enhance skills in industrial automation.

​3.Expand slowly: Add 1 robot team every 6 months.

3.2 Avoid These Mistakes

  • ❌ Buying machines that can’t handle wet labels (common in seafood/plants).
  • ❌ Forgetting power needs – some systems need special plugs.
Conveyor Belt Systems

What’s Next? 2025-2030 Trends

2025: Solar-powered sorters (tested in Dubai Airports).

2027: Voice-controlled systems (“Sort to Gate A5”).

2030: Self-fixing machines that call technicians automatically.

Take Action Now

  1. Try free tools:

    • ROI Calculator: Murr Elektronik Tools.
    • System Simulator: LogisticsTech Demo.

2 . Visit showrooms:

    • May 2025: CeMAT Southeast Asia 2025, showcasing smart logistics and automation solutions.
    • November 2025: GITEX Europe 2025, Europe’s premier technology and startup trade fair, will debut in Berlin from May 21–23, 2025.

3 . Start today:

Week 1: Audit current sorting speed.

Week 2: Compare 3 local suppliers.

Week 4: Install test scanners.

Data sources: 2024 Global Logistics Automation Report, Airport Tech Journal.