August 28, 2025
Tech Xplore recently published an article referencing research co-authored by Gordon Burtch, Allen and Kelli Professor in Information Systems.
The study finds that warehouse robots shift risk rather than eliminate it—severe injuries decline by 40%, but non-severe injuries such as sprains, strains, and repetitive-motion problems rise by 77%, especially during peak periods like Prime Day and the holidays.
While robots reduce heavy lifting and physical exhaustion, workers face steeper demands, with pick rates sometimes two to three times higher, leading to more repetitive tasks, burnout, and lapses in attention. The researchers argue that automation must be paired with better job design, task rotation, and realistic performance goals to avoid new health risks.
They plan to study how these patterns evolve over time and across industries like manufacturing, retail, and health care.