Trends in the modeling of automated storage and retrieval systems

In recent years, automatization has taken on a relevant role in the low-skilled operations of different productive sectors. One of the most impacted sectors is related to logistics where it significantly influences product handling, warehousing, and shipping processes. In this context, Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems, AS/RS, become an ideal solution for logistics warehousing systems. Such implementation allows inventory management based on storage and retrieval orders optimizing the use of available physical space and material handling processes, and improving system performance in terms of storage and retrieval times, material flow, energy consumption, operating costs, and other associated variable measurements.
In this work, we studied AS/RS from a mathematical and analytical perspective of the models, involving their physical and control characteristics and how they affect the modeling approach. This study allows the identification of trends in the modeling of automated storage and retrieval systems as well as methodologies for model validation. It is noticeable the need of new knowledge in analytical and mathematical models leading to potentially novel research studies.