Drone stocktake elevates warehouse operations

July 18, 2025

Technological advancements continue to propel industries forward. Logistics and materials handling are firmly seated on the bandwagon as drones in warehouse management are gaining significant traction…

Drones are now buzzing through warehouse aisles, transforming how inventory is managed and setting the stage for a new era in logistics. Two recent collaborations highlight the revolutionary impact of drone technology on supply chain operations.

First is Anyline, a global leader in mobile data capture and data insights, which has launched autonomous drone inventory management software set to revolutionise warehouse operations. Developed in collaboration with Mondi, a global packaging and paper leader, this solution promises to transform inventory management across its large storage and distribution centres.

In an effort to enhance inventory management processes across its multiple large warehouse locations, Mondi explored various technology options, including handheld radio frequency identification (RFID) and camera scanners. A significant breakthrough was achieved when the company partnered with Anyline to integrate its mobile data capture technology into DJI Mini 3 Pro drones.

Rainer Steffl, chief information officer at Mondi, explains: “Taking inventory in a warehouse using autonomous drones was an exciting challenge, and we were thrilled to partner with Anyline to make it a reality. After several months of testing, problem-solving, and integration with our backend systems, we successfully completed our first full warehouse count, proving the technology’s effectiveness.”

Before the implementation of drone-based barcode scanning, inventory management in large warehouses required multiple workers to manually scan items, often using forklifts to elevate two people at a time. This process, typically performed only once a year, involved working at significant heights and necessitated additional safety measures and overtime outside regular operating hours.

Now, a single drone operator can efficiently scan the entire inventory, aisle by aisle, during normal operating hours. This modern approach is not only safer and more accurate, but also eliminates the need for mandatory after-hours full warehouse counts.

“Both Anyline and Mondi are passionate about innovation. We are proud to be part of a project that is redefining the possibilities in inventory management,” says Lukas Kinigadner, CEO and co-founder of Anyline. “This technology has applications across various industries, and we look forward to continuing our work with Mondi and other organisations to inspire further innovation and transformation in the way they operate.”

In another collaboration, leading global sportswear brand On and artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics company Verity are also deploying fleets of fully autonomous drones in warehouses. These drones provide full operational visibility through smart, real-time inventory tracking.

This partnership significantly improves product availability across all of On’s customer touchpoints – both in physical stores and online. It also maximises successful order fulfilment by enhancing the accuracy and timeliness of deliveries. Verity’s clients, which manage more than 80 warehouses worldwide, have seen operational issue rates drop from between 5 and 12% to less than 1%, while warehouse labour efficiency has dramatically increased. By further digitising On’s supply chain, Verity enhances data accuracy, improving the quality and speed of decision-making.

Already operational at a US facility, Verity’s fleet of fully autonomous drones conducts daily scans of On’s products, ensuring full stock availability for customer fulfilment. This technology is already improving key performance indicators (KPIs) and supporting On’s goals as a pioneer in creating more sustainable supply chains by reducing CO₂ emissions linked to warehousing. On average, Verity’s clients observe an annual reduction of more than 1,000 tonnes of CO₂emissions per warehouse.

“We are excited to partner with Verity to transform our supply chain operations. Verity is a pioneering brand in AI and robotics, making it a perfect fit with On’s values of leveraging innovation to enhance the customer experience,” says Caspar Coppetti, co-founder and executive co-chairman at On. “By embracing these cutting-edge technological solutions, we aim to further improve our operational efficiency, advance our sustainability efforts, and elevate customer satisfaction to new heights.”

Raffaello D’Andrea, co-founder and CEO at Verity, adds: “At Verity, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of AI and robotics to drive operational excellence. Partnering with On, one of the most exciting sportswear brands today, presents a fantastic opportunity to apply our shared commitment to using technology to meet customer expectations. We share On’s goal of delivering an exceptional customer experience – a synergy further strengthened by our highly reliable systems, which boast better than 99.99% reliability rates.”

By reducing human risk, cutting costs, and significantly lowering carbon footprints, drones are proving to be a game-changing solution for businesses of all sizes, elevating materials handling to new heights.