11 Oct
Why Semi-Automation Matters
Most factories don’t need (or can’t afford) full automation. In summary, semi-automation is a smart choice in many situations. It balances the skill of operators with the power and precision of machines. This balance can lead to better products, higher volumes and overall improvement for production
They need systems that assist workers and connect devices—without massive infrastructure changes. Let’s take a simple example. According to Wikipedia, a semi-automatic firearm performs all the steps necessary to prepare the weapon to fire again after firing.
What is the different with automatic weapons? Semi-automatic firearms do not automatically fire an additional round until the trigger is released and re-pressed.
In other words, it makes a certain task much easier and faster, but a human still needs to take an action.
In office work, semi-automating a task might mean designing a point-and-click operation on a computer. The program would then do the heavy work, while the human operators spent only half a second on this task.
Semi-automation:
- Keeps humans in the loop for flexibility and safety.
- Uses automation where it adds efficiency and consistency.
- Enables step-by-step digital transformation rather than big-bang replacement.
Example Flow
- An operator scans a pallet.
- Banner sensors measure height and volume.
- The system validates the data and automatically prints a Zebra label.
- AGV is dispatched to move the labeled pallet to the next station.
- Operator confirms on tablet → next workflow starts.
Humans, machines, and software working together — intelligently.
SamsaSoftware and semi-automation: What We Enable
- Sensor Intelligence: Plug-and-play readings from Banner sensors (height, volume, distance, position).
- AGV Coordination: Seamless interaction between workers and AGVs for transport, loading, and staging.
- Human-in-the-Loop: Operators trigger, validate, or approve actions directly on the floor.
- Scanning & Labeling: Automatic barcode validation and label printing (Zebra/ZPL) triggered by events or sensors.
- Decision Engine: Conditional logic—“if product height > X, print Y label and send to Zone B”—executed automatically.
Value Proposition
| Stakeholder | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Operators | Less manual data entry, faster workflows |
| Supervisors | Full traceability and live floor visibility |
| Engineers | Quick configuration, modular logic builder |
| Management | Incremental automation, measurable ROI |
Vision
A future where manual work and automation coexist, driven by real-time data.
Our platform transforms disconnected shop-floor systems into one coordinated flow, where every sensor, AGV, and human interaction adds value — not friction.
Would you like to know more about semi-automated flows, manual interaction, and AGVs? Connect SamsaSoftware…
