From scan events to continuous visibility: Every warehouse move becomes data

Gather AI has built its business on improving inventory visibility through the use of sensors and cameras mounted to drones. But, as anyone that works in a warehouse knows, there are many more opportunities to track visibility. To address that Gather AI has expanded its intelligence platform to include the ability to mount cameras directly on lift trucks while adding enhanced drone functionality.

Gather AI’s approach focuses on capturing and digitizing every movement within the warehouse, moving beyond traditional scan-based tracking toward a more comprehensive, AI-driven visibility model.

It was just one of the announcements at the recent Modex conference in Atlanta that saw the expansion of end-to-end visibility. UPS announced expansion of its RFID technology to cover its entire supply chain, creating hundreds of thousands new data points within its network and enhancing the ability to locate and track packages in real time. Gather AI’s approach is designed to help operators more accurately track inventory within their warehouse.

From scan-based tracking to continuous visibility

Traditional warehouse operations have relied heavily on manual scans and system updates to track inventory movement. That approach often creates gaps in visibility, particularly between scan events. Gather AI’s system replaces that model with continuous data capture using cameras and AI.

“Instead of having a scan gun,  you now have an AI overlay of every single story,” Sean Mitchell, vice president of customer operations at Gather AI, told Supply Chain Management Review.

The system works by mounting camera modules directly onto material handling equipment, such as forklifts, allowing inventory to be scanned and tracked automatically as it is moved.

As operators pick up, transport, and place inventory, the system captures images, identifies products, and records each transaction in real time.

Turning forklifts into data collection platforms

A key component of the company’s latest offering is the ability to transform existing warehouse equipment into autonomous data collection systems. Camera modules mounted on forklifts scan pallets, count cases, and identify product information during normal operations.

“As the driver drives up, it’s scanning the pallet telling you exactly what you have,” Mitchell said.

The system then connects with warehouse management systems to guide operators to the correct storage location and validate that inventory is placed accurately. Mitchell noted that if the operator places the item in the wrong location, the system generates an alert. The operator can override it and if so, it updates the inventory mapping system so future workers can find the product.

In addition to inventory tracking, the platform captures location and movement data for each piece of equipment.

“It gives you that pinpoint accuracy of exactly where the lift is at any time,” Mitchell said. “You can see the movement of every single lift in that warehouse,” Mitchell said.

Expanding visibility beyond racking

The lift-based system builds on Gather AI’s existing drone-based inventory scanning capabilities, extending visibility across more areas of the warehouse. While drones are effective for scanning racked inventory, the new system enables tracking of bulk storage, pallet movement, and loading and unloading activities.

“It gives you that flexibility of the entire warehouse, not just the racking material,” Mitchell said.

Together, the systems create a more complete picture of warehouse operations, capturing both static inventory positions and dynamic movement.

Introducing continuous drone operations

In addition to the lift-mounted system, Gather AI is introducing enhancements to its drone platform, including an autonomous battery swapping capability on Gather AI’s proprietary drone. The system allows drones to operate continuously without manual intervention, automatically recharging and returning to operation.

“Within three minutes, you’re up and flying,” Mitchell said.

This capability enables warehouses to conduct inventory scans overnight or during off-hours, increasing utilization and reducing operational disruption.

From data capture to operational insight

The company’s platform aggregates data from both drones and equipment-mounted sensors into a centralized system, providing visibility into inventory, workflows, and performance.

“You can see every single put away, every single pick, every single movement… you can get that traceability of every single movement,” Mitchell said.

Warehouse managers can use this data to monitor operator productivity, identify inefficiencies, and better understand inventory flow.

The system also provides insights into broader operational trends, such as inventory turnover, storage utilization, and workflow bottlenecks.

A shift toward fully digitized warehouse operations

As supply chain organizations continue to invest in automation and AI, the ability to capture and act on real-time operational data is becoming increasingly important. Collecting and analyzing that data is a core part of the recent announcements from Gather AI and UPS, among others, as the industry shifts away from event-based tracking toward continuous, system-wide visibility.

By combining computer vision, AI, and existing warehouse equipment, the trend is enabling businesses to digitize the movement of goods throughout facilities.

For supply chain leaders, the implications go far beyond tracking. With more granular data on how inventory moves through the warehouse, organizations may be better equipped to optimize operations, improve accuracy, and respond more quickly to disruptions.

As Mitchell summarized, the goal is to move from partial visibility to a complete operational picture.

“You now have traceability of all of those movements and higher operational efficiency because you’re no longer chasing problems.”

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