The Human + Robot Workforce: How Collaborative Robots Are Solving the Labor Crisis
May 28, 2025 | BY ONWARD ROBOTICS
Labor shortages continue to strain the efficiency and scalability of fulfillment operations across warehousing sectors—including retail, e-commerce, healthcare, and automotive. Rising order volumes, increasing customer expectations, and high employee turnover—nearly 49% annually for warehouse and storage workers, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics—have exposed the limitations of relying solely on a human workforce. But there’s good news: collaborative robotics like person-to-goods or “pick assist” AMRs are intelligently designed to work with people, not replace them. Adoption of AMRs for automated order fulfillment is turning this challenge into a competitive advantage.
At Onward Robotics, we believe the future of fulfillment lies in a human + robot workforce, where each contributes what they do best.
The Labor Crisis Is Real—and Growing
Warehouses and distribution centers across the country are struggling to recruit and retain workers. Labor-intensive roles, seasonal spikes, and physically demanding tasks make staffing a constant challenge. And as e-commerce continues to grow, that gap between demand and workforce capacity only widens. In fact, the U.S. warehousing and storage industry is projected to have over 400,000 unfilled jobs by 2028, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Traditional automation approaches—such as fixed conveyors or goods-to-person systems—have helped, but they come with long installation times, high infrastructure costs, and limited flexibility. In a dynamic environment, where speed and adaptability are essential.
The Collaborative Edge: AMRs That Adapt and Deliver
Pick Assist Autonomous Mobile Robots (PA-AMRs) offer a fundamentally different approach to warehouse automation. Rather than replacing human labor, these systems are designed to work alongside people—enhancing efficiency, reducing physical strain, and improving overall throughput in the order fulfillment process.
By intelligently coordinating the flow of goods and tasks between workers and robots, pick assist AMRs create a more balanced and productive environment. Workers stay focused on value-added tasks like picking, while AMRs handle repetitive and time-consuming transport tasks.
These systems are typically infrastructure-free, making them fast to deploy, easy to scale, and a clear favorite for brownfield sites or greenfield sites that aim to remain agile in evolving markets. Infrastructure-free flexibility allows warehouses to adapt quickly to labor fluctuations, seasonal demand spikes, or shifting operational priorities—without costly or time-intensive reconfigurations.
Benefits of the Human-Robot Workforce:
Boosted Throughput
Robots handle the heavy lifting—literally and logistically—allowing human workers to focus on picking, packing, and quality control.
Reduced Turnover
When physical strain is reduced and workflows are more intuitive, employees are more likely to stay.
Faster Ramp-Up During Peak
Automation scales up quickly to handle increased volume. Quickly scale back down after peak, if needed.
Improved Worker Satisfaction
When workers are supported by intuitive, helpful automation, they’re more productive—and more satisfied.
Real-Time Insights
Business intelligence software monitors real-time conditions and adjusts task assignments to ensure maximum efficiency and uptime.
Robots Aren’t Replacing People—They’re Empowering Them
The fear that automation will eliminate jobs misses the bigger picture. In modern fulfillment and logistics operations, collaborative robots—especially person-to-goods or “pick assist” AMRs—are not replacing workers but enabling them to do more with less strain. These systems are designed to extend human capability, not compete with it.
By minimizing the walking and repetitive transport tasks that typically consume a large portion of a warehouse worker’s day, collaborative robots allow employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities such as picking, packing, or quality control. This not only improves operational efficiency but also makes the work itself less physically taxing and more rewarding.
When employees are freed from exhausting or monotonous tasks, they’re more likely to stay engaged, productive, and satisfied. In an industry known for high turnover, that matters. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the annual turnover rate for warehouse and storage workers was a staggering 49% in 2022. This alarmingly high rate indicates that nearly half of all warehouse workers left their jobs each year. Improved job satisfaction directly contributes to better retention—reducing the costs and time associated with recruiting and training new staff.
Ultimately, the synergy between people and collaborative robots creates a stronger, more resilient workforce. Humans bring adaptability, judgment, and fine motor skills. Robots bring consistency, speed, and strength. Together, they can meet today’s fulfillment demands and tomorrow’s growth opportunities—smarter, faster, and more sustainably.
Meet Me® Supports a Stronger Warehouse Workforce
At Onward Robotics, we’ve engineered our Lumabot pick-assist AMRs and intelligent Pyxis software to directly support fulfillment teams facing labor shortages and rising demand. By combining automation with human strengths, we help operations do more with the workforce they have—without sacrificing speed, accuracy, or employee well-being.
Our collaborative approach delivers measurable impact through:
- Human + Robot Coordination: Real-time task orchestration ensures people and AMRs work together efficiently
- Reduced Physical Strain: Less walking and repetitive movement means safer, more sustainable jobs
- Increased Throughput: Automating non-value-added tasks frees up workers to focus on critical operations
- Higher Employee Satisfaction: Empowered workers are more engaged, more productive—and more likely to stay
- Fast, Flexible Deployment: Infrastructure-free setup enables rapid scaling, even during peak season
The labor crisis isn’t going away—but your productivity doesn’t have to suffer because of it. Learn how Onward Robotics can help you build a more resilient, efficient, and scalable fulfillment operation with a human + robot workforce.
Contact us to schedule a demo or speak with an automation expert.