Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand

Sort cargo before loading and unloading.

AI: Fully automatable - Conveyor-sorting systems, computer vision, and robotic sorters already automate cargo and parcel sorting in many logistics operations by 2025.

Stack cargo in locations, such as transit sheds or in holds of ships as directed, using pallets or cargo boards.

AI: Fully automatable - Robotic palletizers and automated stacking systems are widely used to stack cargo on pallets and boards in warehouses and shipping facilities.

Attach identifying tags to containers or mark them with identifying information.

AI: Fully automatable - Automated label printers and applicators combined with barcode/RFID systems and vision checks routinely attach and mark identifying tags on containers in modern operations.

Record numbers of units handled or moved, using daily production sheets or work tickets.

AI: Fully automatable - Digital sensors, warehouse management systems, and simple OCR/voice-entry tools can automatically record unit counts and populate production sheets or tickets.

Read work orders or receive oral instructions to determine work assignments or material or equipment needs.

AI: Fully automatable - NLP systems and task-management software can read written work orders or transcribe oral instructions and determine assignments and material needs with high reliability in typical settings.

Bundle and band material such as fodder or tobacco leaves, using banding machines.

AI: Fully automatable - Bundling and banding is routinely handled by automated banding machines and control systems, so AI can fully perform or operate this task in typical settings.

Move freight, stock, or other materials to and from storage or production areas, loading docks, delivery vehicles, ships, or containers, by hand or using trucks, tractors, or other equipment.

AI: Partial - Autonomous forklifts, yard trucks, and material-handling robots can move many items within structured sites, but full end-to-end movement across varied docks, ships, and outdoor environments remains only partially automated.

Install protective devices, such as bracing, padding, or strapping, to prevent shifting or damage to items being transported.

AI: Partial - Strapping machines and standardized load-securing equipment can automate some protective installations, but bespoke bracing and complex padding tasks for irregular loads still need human intervention.

Direct spouts and position receptacles, such as bins, carts, or containers, so they can be loaded.

AI: Partial - Autonomous robots and conveyors can position bins and receptacles in structured workflows, but dynamic, varied loading scenarios requiring fine alignment or complex coordination remain only partially automated.

Attach slings, hooks, or other devices to lift cargo and guide loads.

AI: Partial - Robotic systems and AI-guidance can perform standardized rigging in structured settings, but varied loads, unpredictable environments, and safety-critical judgement still require human oversight.

Maintain equipment storage areas to ensure that inventory is protected.

AI: Partial - Inventory tracking and organization can be largely automated and robots can handle routine shelving, but full maintenance and protective actions across diverse storage conditions are not fully automatable yet.

Adjust controls to guide, position, or move equipment, such as cranes, booms, or cameras.

AI: Partial - AI can control and assist positioning of cranes, booms, and cameras in constrained or pre-mapped contexts, but reliably handling all complex, dynamic, and safety-critical control tasks end-to-end remains limited.

Guide loads being lifted to prevent swinging.

AI: Partial - Active anti-swing systems and assisted control reduce load swing and can automate some guiding, but dynamic, unstructured lifts still require human taglines and judgement for safety.

Wash out cargo containers or storage areas.

AI: Partial - Automated cleaning systems can wash many types of containers in controlled facilities, but varied container types, contamination scenarios, and ad-hoc cleaning tasks are not fully automated.

Pack containers and re-pack damaged containers.

AI: Partial - Packaging lines can fully automate standardized packing, but repacking damaged or irregular containers often needs human dexterity and judgement.

Carry needed tools or supplies from storage or trucks and return them after use.

AI: Partial - Autonomous mobile robots can fetch and return tools in structured environments, yet varied job sites and ad-hoc handoffs still commonly require human involvement.

Shovel material, such as gravel, ice, or spilled concrete, into containers or bins or onto conveyors.

AI: Partial - Autonomous heavy equipment can shovel and move bulk materials in planned operations, but ad-hoc hand-shoveling tasks in unstructured conditions are not fully automatable.

Connect electrical equipment to power sources so that it can be tested before use.

AI: Partial - Robots can make standardized electrical connections and AI can assist testing, but variable connectors, safety risks, and electrical fault judgement prevent full automation across all contexts.

Carry out general yard duties, such as performing shunting on railway lines.

AI: Partial - Certain yard operations and train shunting have been automated in controlled yards, but regulatory, safety, and complex dynamic factors mean full, general automation is not yet universal.

Rig or dismantle props or equipment, such as frames, scaffolding, platforms, or backdrops, using hand tools.

AI: Partial - Rigging and dismantling props in unstructured, variable environments requires human judgment and dexterity, so AI/robots can only partially assist or automate in constrained settings by 2025.

Adjust or replace equipment parts, such as rollers, belts, plugs, or caps, using hand tools.

AI: Partial - Replacing common equipment parts can be automated in controlled industrial setups, but varied contexts and ad-hoc tool use mean full automation is not broadly achievable yet.