Why Visual Displays Are Becoming the Most Effective Tool for Picking in Smart Warehouses

Operations managers overseeing warehousing services, transportation logistics and omni-channel fulfillment share a common set of challenges.

• How can I solve mispicks and make my warehouse workers more efficient while picking? 

• What's the best mobile picking solution that integrates into my WMS?

• How can I reduce employee turnover in my warehouse and improve operational efficiency?

Modern warehouse operations are often defined by the efficiency of the tools used on the floor. Companies looking to enhance warehouse productivity, efficiency and worker safety are in a constant cycle of refining fulfillment processes and integrating automation into their operations. In recent years, voice picking systems provided an excellent hands-free approach, but as robotic picking comes to the fore, companies are needing more interactive levels of human-centric integration across their systems, augmenting their workforce to adapt in real time to operational challenges.

The table below presents key pros and cons across factors like usability, speed, comfort, and operational efficiency between common voice picking systems and headworn visual displays, specifically Vuzix M400 smart glasses. Both aim to streamline order picking by enabling hands-free workflows, but they differ significantly in how they integrate with inventory systems, how they deliver information, and the array of options (onboarding, upskilling, mapping, scanning etc.) they present to operators.

User Experience

Feature / Factor	Voice Picking	Smart Glasses
Hands-free Operation	Workers keep hands free for picking	Workers keep hands free for picking
Eyes-up Operation	Allows full visual focus on the task and environment	See-beyond HUD keeps peripheral vision free; OSHA spotter guidelines met
Learning Curve	4–6 hour voice template & training dialogues	90 min average to proficiency; on-device videos & AR arrows cut ramp-up
Error Reduction	Dependent on voice recognition accuracy and pronunciation	Visual confirmation reduces mispicks
Noise Interference	Prone to errors in noisy environments due to voice misrecognition	Relies on visuals in noisy environments yet still supports optional voice snippets even at a 95dB forklift aisle
Physical Comfort	Lightweight headsets, generally comfortable	Lightweight headsets, battery weight offset by mounting options to avoid end-of-shift fatigue
Data Presentation	Only auditory feedback	Can show item images, arrows, text, or even maps
Data Inputs	Voice only, with auxiliary tools for photo and data input	Provides voice, photo, and video sharing

Hardware/Software

Feature / Factor	Voice Picking	Smart Glasses
Battery Life	Typically long (8–12+ hours)	Typically long (8–12+ hours with swappable batteries)
Remote Collaboration	No way to share view or make calls	Picker can share live video to remotely share view with supervisor
Durability in Harsh Conditions	Designed for rugged use	Designed for rugged use; freezer rated at -20°C/−4°F
Integrations	Requires custom software development to run “batch” extracts from ERP platforms to middleware servers	Works with REST/JSON + MQ, integrates with Manhattan, Blue Yonder, SAP EWM, Oracle

Back-end Management

Feature / Factor	Voice Picking	Smart Glasses
Multi-Language Support	Possible but requires robust speech models per language/accents	Easier to display visual instructions in any language
Barcode/Vision Scanning	Needs handheld scanner or check digits	Reads multiple barcodes in FOV; AI assists count & expiry detection
On-device AI & Offline Modes	Server speech engine; network loss = dead air	Snapdragon XR1 runs CV & LLM models locally; workflows cache when Wi-Fi drops. Visual pattern recognition, scanning, and more using on-device AI
Data & Analytics Loop	Only start/stop time via telnet	Edge logs per-step timestamps, Insights dashboards; heat-maps of pick zones
Typical install time	Significant requiring install of new servers and infrastructure	< 2 week pilot, scale in 60–90 days
Maintenance	Very difficult to update workflows and content because of middleware systems	OTA firmware updates managed through all major MDMs
Real-Time	Lacks real-time visibility into warehouse tasks	Real-time tracking of tasks for all staff fully integrated with solution. Requires no custom development

While voice picking remains a proven and reliable method, especially in environments where simplicity and auditory instructions suffice, smart glasses offer more dynamic system feedback and visually rich interface that can significantly enhance accuracy, reduce cognitive load, and improve performance in complex picking scenarios. Their ability to display images, text, and navigation cues directly in the user's line of sight makes them particularly valuable for training, high-variation tasks, and multilingual environments. As visual technology continues to evolve, smart glasses have become a compelling upgrade to traditional voice-based systems for warehouses aiming to maximize efficiency and adaptability.

Contact us to learn more about how visual displays can increase efficiency in your distribution center.

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