Why 90% of Warehouses Are Still Manual

Warehouse robotics is evolving fast, yet 90% of warehouses still don’t use automation. Why? Despite the rise of AI, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and drone-based inventory tracking, most operations remain stuck in outdated, manual processes. The real challenge isn’t just cost—it’s about knowledge gaps, change management, and finding the right tech fit. In this episode of Everything is Logistics, host Blythe Brumleve sits down with Kevin Lawton, host of The New Warehouse Podcast, to break down the biggest barriers preventing robotics adoption in warehousing. From entry-level automation solutions to practical strategies for integrating AI-driven robotics, we explore what’s next for warehouses that want to scale.Key Topics Covered: The real reasons why 90% of warehouses haven’t adopted robotics. Entry-level automation solutions that are accessible right now. How poor warehouse processes can sabotage automation efforts. Robots as co-workers: addressing change management challenges. Hummingbird Systems’ drone picking technology—is this the future? "If you automate a bad process, you're just making that bad process happen faster." – Kevin LawtonLINKS:Kevin's LinkedInThe New Warehouse WebsiteWATCH THE FULL EPISODE -----------------------------------------THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!SPI Logistics has been a Day 1 supporter of this podcast which is why we're proud to promote them in every episode. During that time, we've gotten to know the team and their agents to confidently say they are the best home for freight agents in North America for 40 years and counting. Listen to past episodes to hear why.CargoRex is the search engine for the logistics industry—connecting LSPs with the right tools, services, events, and creators to explore, discover, and evolve.Digital Dispatch maximizes and manages your #1 sales tool with a website that establishes trust and builds rock-solid relationships with your leads and customers.