Ikea’s stock-counting warehouse drones will fly alongside workers in the US

Ikea has introduced an upgraded version of its drone system for inventory management, now equipped with AI and capable of operating 24/7 alongside human workers. These Verity-branded drones utilize a custom indoor positioning system and obstacle detection technology to navigate warehouses efficiently. The drones can now count inventory and identify misplaced items, freeing up human workers for other tasks. Previously, the drones only flew during non-operational hours. Ikea's fleet currently includes over 250 drones deployed across 73 warehouses in nine countries. The company first launched its drone system in 2021 and has been expanding it globally. The AI-powered drones are set to be implemented in more distribution centers in Europe and North America. Ikea emphasizes the benefits of the drones, including reducing ergonomic strain on human workers and allowing them to focus on more engaging tasks.