GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026

Voice-Directed Picking

A warehouse operative puts on a headset, receives spoken instructions – aisle, bin location, quantity – and confirms each step by voice, keeping both hands free throughout.

Quick Answer

Last updated: 26 June 2026Published: 19 June 2025

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_picking

Category

Logistics Concept

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1 min

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111

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Definition & Explanation

A warehouse operative puts on a headset, receives spoken instructions – aisle, bin location, quantity – and confirms each step by voice, keeping both hands free throughout. Voice-directed picking, also known as voice picking, is the established term for this method: end-to-end order picking control driven by text-to-speech output and speech recognition, replacing paper lists and handheld scanners entirely. The approach is widespread in food logistics, e-commerce fulfilment, and pharmaceutical warehousing, where accuracy and throughput must improve together. Compared with scan-based picking, it performs particularly well in cold stores, low-light environments, or wherever operatives wear gloves. It is distinct from pick-by-light, which relies on visual LED indicators rather than audio guidance.