# Asics Achieves 60% Faster Inventory Recovery with AI Drones

> Asics has revolutionized its inventory management by using autonomous drones, leading to a 60% faster recovery of misplaced goods. This innovative approach significantly enhances order fulfillment and customer satisfaction.

**Source**: digitalcommerce360.com | **Published**: 2026-11-14 | **Type**: article

## Key Facts

- Asics recovers inventory 60% faster, reducing unfulfilled orders and enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Monthly drone counts increased visibility, allowing Asics to list 12-15% more products online.
- Improved inventory management shifts employee focus from counting to value-added tasks, boosting efficiency.
- Drones minimize equipment needs, reducing traffic and operational risks in narrow warehouse aisles.
- Asics' automation aligns with industry trends, indicating a competitive edge in warehouse efficiency.

## Summary

Asics America Corp. has implemented autonomous drones in its North American distribution center to enhance inventory management, achieving a 60% faster recovery of misplaced merchandise. This strategic move, announced on November 10, 2023, is part of a broader trend in retail towards automation and improved operational efficiency. By utilizing technology developed by Corvus Robotics, Asics aims to mitigate the risk of unfulfilled orders, which can lead to customer dissatisfaction and lost sales.

The drones operate within Asics’ 855,000-square-foot facility in Byhalia, Mississippi, which houses nearly 3 million units across approximately 44,000 stock-keeping units. Previously, inventory counts were conducted twice a year, leaving items unaccounted for up to six months. This delay often resulted in order cancellations, as customers would unknowingly purchase items that were not available. With the introduction of monthly drone-assisted inventory counts, Asics can now identify discrepancies more rapidly, thus maintaining order fulfillment schedules and improving customer experience.

The drones, equipped with advanced computer vision and spatial reasoning capabilities, conduct seven scheduled flights nightly. They navigate narrow aisles without the need for additional infrastructure, scanning universal product codes and counting boxes. This process allows for immediate identification of inventory issues, enabling employees to address discrepancies proactively. Asics has reported significant operational shifts, allowing warehouse staff to focus on more complex tasks rather than routine counts.

The impact of this technology extends beyond just operational efficiency. Prior to the drone deployment, Asics withheld 12 to 15% of its inventory from online marketplace feeds due to concerns about stock availability. With improved visibility into inventory levels, the company has begun to publish its full inventory availability, potentially increasing sales by reducing the need for markdowns on unsold products. While specific revenue figures have not been disclosed, the ability to offer a complete inventory could enhance profitability and market competitiveness.

Asics is not alone in this shift towards automation. Other retailers, such as GNC and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, have also adopted drone technology to improve their inventory management processes, increasing the frequency of inventory counts significantly. Additionally, major players like Walmart are investing in various forms of warehouse automation, including Symbotic technology, to enhance their supply chain efficiency.

The increasing adoption of drones and other automated systems in warehouse operations signals a transformative shift in the retail sector. Companies that embrace these technologies can expect to enhance their operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer satisfaction. As competition intensifies, the ability to manage inventory effectively will become a critical differentiator. Retailers that lag in adopting such innovations risk falling behind as consumer expectations for immediate fulfillment and product availability continue to rise.

Looking forward, the integration of drone technology in inventory management may set new standards for operational excellence in retail. As companies refine their use of automation, they will likely explore further applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize supply chain processes. This evolution could lead to a more agile retail environment, where businesses can respond rapidly to market demands and consumer preferences, ultimately reshaping the landscape of retail logistics.

## Entities

- **Companies**: Asics America Corp., Corvus Robotics, GNC, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Walmart Inc.
- **Products**: Corvus One drones
- **Technologies**: computer vision, spatial reasoning
- **People**: Kyle Koestler, Angela Williford
- **Organizations**: Asics Corp.

## Key Concepts

warehouse automation, inventory management, drones in logistics, ecommerce fulfillment, inventory discrepancies, product availability, cost reduction, operational efficiency

## Definitions

- **warehouse automation**: The use of technology to automate warehouse operations, improving efficiency and accuracy in inventory management.
- **computer vision**: A technology that enables computers to interpret and process visual data from the world, often used in robotics for navigation and object recognition.
- **inventory discrepancies**: Differences between recorded inventory levels and actual stock, which can lead to fulfillment issues.
- **ecommerce fulfillment**: The process of receiving, processing, and delivering online orders to customers.
- **drones in logistics**: Unmanned aerial vehicles used to enhance efficiency in logistics operations, such as inventory counting and monitoring.

## Use Cases

- Recovering misplaced inventory faster
- Conducting more frequent inventory counts
- Improving product availability on online marketplaces
- Reducing the need for lift equipment during counts
- Enhancing operational efficiency for warehouse staff
- Identifying inventory discrepancies quickly

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How does Asics use drones in their warehouses?**

Asics employs autonomous drones to conduct inventory counts in their distribution center, significantly increasing the frequency of these counts from twice a year to monthly. This helps them recover misplaced inventory much faster.

**What technology powers the drones used by Asics?**

The drones used by Asics are powered by technology developed by Corvus Robotics, which includes computer vision and spatial reasoning capabilities that allow them to navigate narrow aisles and perform inventory tasks efficiently.

**What impact has the drone deployment had on Asics' inventory management?**

The deployment of drones has allowed Asics to recover misplaced inventory approximately 60% faster, reducing the risk of unfulfilled orders and improving overall inventory visibility.

**How has Asics' approach to online marketplaces changed?**

With improved inventory accuracy from drone counts, Asics has increased the number of units available for sale on online marketplaces, allowing them to offer more products at full price instead of liquidating unsold stock at a discount.

**What are some benefits of using drones for inventory counts?**

Using drones for inventory counts reduces the need for manual counting, minimizes traffic in narrow aisles, and allows warehouse staff to focus on more complex tasks like inventory reconciliation and discrepancy investigations.

## Links

- [Read on Welcome.AI](https://welcome.ai/content/asics-achieves-60-faster-inventory-recovery-with-ai-drones)
- [Original source](https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2026/11/13/asics-uses-ai-powered-drones-to-recover-misplaced-inventory-60-faster/)
- [Corvus Robotics](https://welcome.ai/company/corvus-robotics): Featured company

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Source: Welcome.AI | https://welcome.ai/content/asics-achieves-60-faster-inventory-recovery-with-ai-drones