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Transactions on Engineering and Computing Sciences - Vol. 13, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2025

DOI:10.14738/tecs.131.18326.

Chakraborty, A. (2025). The Future of Logistics: SAP EWM and Autonomous Vehicles in Smart Warehouse Automation. Transactions

on Engineering and Computing Sciences, 13(1). 162-170.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

The Future of Logistics: SAP EWM and Autonomous Vehicles in

Smart Warehouse Automation

Alok Chakraborty

Independent Researcher, USA

ABSTRACT

The rapid advancement of autonomous vehicles (AVs) has led to their increasing

adoption in logistics and warehouse operations. When integrated with SAP

Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), autonomous vehicles can significantly

enhance the efficiency, flexibility, and automation of warehousing processes. This

study investigates the integration of SAP EWM with autonomous vehicles, such as

automated guided vehicles (AGVs), autonomous forklifts, and drones, to establish

smart warehouses capable of managing and optimizing inventory, material

handling, and order fulfillment with minimal human intervention. This research

examines the technical aspects of integration, potential benefits and challenges, and

the impact of autonomous vehicles on warehouse productivity, safety, and

operational costs.

Keywords: Autonomous Vehicles, Warehousing, SAP Extended Warehouse Management,

Automated Guided Vehicles, Autonomous Forklifts, Drones, Inventory Management.

INTRODUCTION

Warehouses constitute a fundamental component of contemporary supply chains and are

responsible for the storage, handling, and distribution of goods to various stakeholders. As

consumer demand for expedited delivery times and reduced operational costs increases,

warehouses are increasingly adopting automation to enhance performance. Autonomous

vehicles (AVs), including automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic forklifts, and drones, have

emerged as critical elements for the automation of material handling and logistics. SAP

Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) provides an enterprise-wide solution for managing

warehouse processes, including inventory control, order fulfillment, and resource allocation.

The integration of autonomous vehicles with SAP EWM can facilitate the creation of a fully

automated warehouse environment where AVs are utilized to move inventory, transport goods,

and optimize workflows, all of which are controlled through SAP EWM's centralized system.

This study examines how such an integration can transform warehouse operations, enhance

efficiency, and reduce costs.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN WAREHOUSING

Types of Autonomous Vehicles in Warehouses

Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

AGVs are autonomous mobile robots utilized for material transportation within warehouse

environments. These vehicles navigate along predetermined paths or employ advanced

navigation systems, such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and computer vision, to

operate autonomously.