Robotics and blockchain in supply chain management: cutting-edge developments and identified barriers

In Industry 4.0, robotics is reshaping supply chain management across sectors such as transportation, logistics, agriculture, and manufacturing. This article delivers the first comprehensive review of robot deployments in these sectors, highlighting their intersection with blockchain and examining both implementation barriers and integration challenges. Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we analyzed 37 studies across various areas of the supply chain. Key findings highlight the maturity of the “Transportation and Logistics” area, where the most widely utilized robots are Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Regarding blockchain integration with robotics, we observed that the primary use is to secure communication between robots, employing mechanisms such as smart contracts and proof-of-work. Most barriers to robot implementation within the supply chain fall within the technological category. Two recurrent challenges in this domain include limited travel range (by air or land) and difficulties with collision avoidance, particularly for UAVs and AMRs. Finally, regarding the integration of robots with blockchain, the most significant barriers identified are limited storage capacity, response delays, high power consumption, and insufficient computing power in robots to implement blockchain mechanisms effectively.