Learn Picking Techniques in Warehousing: WareMover

The development of WareMover, a 2D open-access game, addresses a gap in logistics education by providing an interactive, entertainment-focused tool for teaching warehouse order-picking techniques. While serious games are common in various educational sectors, research indicates that German universities currently lack dedicated, open-source, warehouse-related games for teaching purposes. The project aims to bridge the divide between theoretical, paper-based instruction and practical application by allowing students to experience different picking methods—such as pick-by-list, pick-by-voice, pick-by-light, and pick-by-vision—within a simulated 2D environment.

The study involved an analysis of 59 German universities with over 10,000 students, identifying that while logistics-related games exist, they are exclusively serious games and none focus on warehousing. To address this, WareMover was developed using the GDevelop platform and validated through a session with 14 participants, including both undergraduate and PhD students. Participants engaged in both single-player and multi-player modes, subsequently completing a questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale to assess usability, enjoyment, and didactic value.

Findings suggest that the game is perceived as user-friendly, entertaining, and a useful supplement to traditional lectures. Participants generally reported that the game helped clarify the principles of various pick-by systems and expressed a willingness to recommend the tool to others. Although the study acknowledges limitations regarding the game's simplicity and the need for further testing in actual classroom settings, it concludes that the entertainment-game approach effectively increases student motivation and engagement. Future research will focus on expanding the game’s complexity and incorporating additional logistical principles to create a comprehensive, open-source platform for warehousing education.