Page 74 - FoodFocusThailand No.238 January-February 2026

STORAGE, HANDLING & LOGISTICS

safe work practices. The key element of this standard is the Collaboration between both sectors will take place as follows:
determination of the “Recommended Weight Limit (RWL)” 1. Robots will be responsible for handling tasks associated
under appropriate reference conditions (Ideal Conditions), as with high Lifting Index (LI) values, such as bending to lift heavy
outlined below: milk cartons from the floor or reaching to place sugar bags on
• Adult males: not exceeding 25 kilograms shelves above shoulder height. They will also be capable of
• Adult females: not exceeding 20 kilograms walking on two legs through narrow pathways, similar to humans,
• Youth aged 15–18 years: not exceeding 20 kilograms for without experiencing fatigue or back injuries.
males and 15 kilograms for females 2. Humans will take on the role of “robot managers,” shifting
Concepts of Risk Calculation and Assessment from physical material handling to supervising and controlling
To determine if a lifting task is safe, we must consider robot operations via applications or extended reality (XR) devices.
“attenuation factors” through the revised NIOSH lifting Commands will be executed through digital twin systems. For
equation, which has the following calculation formula: tasks requiring high precision, such as arranging high-value
wine bottles, workers will use smart gloves to guide robots in
high-risk areas or in low-temperature environments, such as
cold storage rooms.
By: Future Predictions: From Robots to “Avatars” In the
• LC (Load Constant): Weight constant (23-25 kg as per near future, the role of robots may expand from serving
standard) merely as lifting aids to functioning as “avatars” or “second bodies”
• Various Multipliers: such as distance from the body (H), that further support human work in industrial sectors. In this
lifting height (V), travel distance (D), twist angle (A), frequency context, workers will be able to log in from home or on-site
(F), and grip tightness (C). locations via high-speed networks to operate humanoid robotic
Once the RWL value is obtained, it is used to find the Lifting bodies stationed in warehouses. Operators will be able to perceive
Index (LI) using the following formula: resistance and tactile feedback, as if physically handling materials
themselves.
For routine material-handling tasks, these robots will be
equipped with artificial intelligence systems capable of learning
ergonomic principles in real time. The system will automatically
adjust posture and balance to optimize lifting efficiency while
minimizing energy expenditure. This will enable robots to move
The calculated LI values can be interpreted as follows: and operate with greater agility, speed, and safety.
• LI ≤ 1.0: The lifting task can be performed safely, or the
risk level is low and considered acceptable. How Should Humans Prepare?
• 1.0 < LI < 1.5: Low risk. Monitoring for signs or symptoms Humans should develop at least three key skills, as follows:
of musculoskeletal disorders is recommended, along with a 1. Understanding human biomechanics, which serves as
review of existing control measures. the fundamental model for engineers when designing robotic
• 1.5 < LI < 2.0: Moderate risk. Improvements to the work movements. This knowledge enables the development of control
task and workstation are recommended, followed by an frameworks that allow robots to operate more effectively, safely,
evaluation of the effectiveness of the implemented changes. and with greater energy efficiency.
• 2.0 < LI < 3.0: High risk. This task should be prioritized 2. Upgrading digital and AI-related skills. In the future,
for corrective action over other tasks. humans will need to train robots to “make decisions” and
• LI > 3.0: Very high risk. Immediate intervention is required “collaborate safely with humans,” while also assuming the role
to improve the lifting task or to eliminate the hazardous of robot supervisors or managers.
activity. 3. Embracing innovation. Robots are not designed to replace
human workers but to protect human bodies, allowing employees
Labor-Saving Devices: Ergonomic Solutions for to focus on creative tasks and generate higher-value outputs.
Material Handling Modern industrial facilities have The integration of TOSH safety standards and humanoid
adopted various types of mechanical aids, including vacuum robotics technology is set to transform Thailand’s food
lifting systems, conveyor belts, forklifts, as well as automation and beverage industry into a modern “Kitchen of the World,”
systems and industrial robots. However, in food and beverage characterized by highly advanced production systems,
warehouses—where aisles are often narrow, or materials must minimal operational errors, and the highest standards of
be picked and placed in diverse locations—conventional workplace safety.
industrial robots may be unsuitable due to these spatial
constraints. As a result, this presents a prime opportunity for
humanoid robots to support operations in these work
environments. More Information Service Info C013

The World of the Future: When Humanoid Robots
are Your Partners Over the next five years (by 2030), ข้้อมููลเพิ่่�มูเติ่มู / Additional Information
the food and beverage industry is expected to fully transition 1 ข้้อมููลโรงงานจำำานวน 8,000 แห่่ง สำำาห่รับโรงงานอุตสำาห่กรรมูอาห่าร
into “smart factories.” In addition to on-site staff and operators, และเคร่�องดื่่�มูในประเทศไทย โดื่ยอ้างอิงมูาจำากข้้อมููลสำถิิติข้อง
humanoid robots with advanced capabilities will increasingly กรมูโรงงานอุตสำาห่กรรมู กระทรวงอุตสำาห่กรรมู ข้้อมููลสำะสำมูตั�งแต่ปี
work alongside humans in production environments. In this
context, both sectors will work together in the following พ.ศ. 2567-2568
Data for approximately 8,000 food and beverage industrial plants
ways. in Thailand is based on statistical information from the Department
of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry, accumulated as of the
74 FOOD FOCUS THAILAND JAN-FEB 2026 end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025.

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