Industrial Applications of AI in Warehouse Management: A Systematic Review of Drone Usage in Manufacturing

This thesis presents a comprehensive examination of the industrial applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in warehouse management, focusing specifically on the integration of drones in manufacturing settings. With the advent of Industry 4.0, there has been a paradigm shift in how warehouses operate, emphasizing automation, efficiency, and real-time data analytics. Drones, as autonomous aerial vehicles equipped with AI capabilities, have emerged as a disruptive technology offering unprecedented opportunities for optimizing warehouse processes. The systematic review begins by outlining the key challenges faced by traditional warehouse management systems, including inventory tracking, order fulfillment, and logistics optimization. It then proceeds to analyze the role of AI in addressing these challenges, with a particular emphasis on the use of drones for inventory management, asset tracking, and warehouse surveillance. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature, this thesis identifies the various ways in which drones equipped with AI algorithms are revolutionizing warehouse operations. These include their ability to autonomously navigate warehouse environments, conduct inventory audits with greater speed and accuracy, and facilitate predictive maintenance through data-driven insights. Furthermore, the thesis evaluates the potential benefits and limitations associated with the adoption of drone technology in manufacturing warehouses. It explores factors such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, regulatory compliance, and the integration with existing warehouse management systems. Additionally, it discusses the ethical and societal implications of deploying drones in industrial settings, including concerns related to privacy, job displacement, and environmental sustainability. Overall, this systematic review provides valuable insights into the current state of drone utilization in warehouse management within the manufacturing sector. It highlights the significant advancements made possible by AI-driven drone technology and offers recommendations for future research directions and practical implementations aimed at enhancing efficiency, productivity, and sustainability in modern warehouse operations.