All You Need to Know About Autonomous Mobile Robots

As technology advances, so too does the availability of autonomous mobile robots. These devices are becoming increasingly popular in a number of industries for their ability to boost efficiency and accuracy. Here is everything you need to know about autonomous mobile robots and how they can benefit your business.

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What Are Autonomous Mobile Robots

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are robots that operate without the need for human intervention. They can be a good solution for businesses or organizations that are interested in reducing costs, improving efficiency and consistency of products or services, increasing security and safety of environments, and reducing inventory waste.

What are Commercial Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Autonomous mobile robots used by business applications can be either industrial or commercial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Generally speaking, both types of autonomous mobile robots used in business settings share similar features and functions but differ in their purpose, use cases, type of sensors used, overall size, and durability.

Global Autonomous Robot Market Size 2016-2028

In 2021, the global market for autonomous mobile robots (AMR) was estimated to be worth approximately 2.4 billion US dollars. The market is predicted to develop at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 23% by 2028, reaching a value of more than 10.5 billion US dollars.

How Do Autonomous Mobile Robots Work

The global medical robots market is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 16.5% from an estimated USD 5.9 billion in 2020 to USD 12.7 billion by 2025.

Autonomous mobile robots are powered by a number of different technologies, including the following:

1. Camera-Based Systems

AMRs that use camera-based systems use advanced vision technology to locate items. These devices can scan the area for a specific product in order to perform a task. They can also be used for basic cleaning tasks such as sweeping and clearing trash from a designated area.

2. Laser-Based Systems

Laser-based systems are best used in spaces where lighting is limited. These systems use lasers to search the surrounding area, helping AMRs locate items and perform tasks.

3. Magnetic/Sticky Systems

A number of autonomous mobile robots use magnetic or sticky systems to locate items in order to perform a task. These devices can be used on any type of surface, providing a user with a wider range of functionality than other devices.

4. Infrared Systems

Infrared-based systems are used in areas where lighting is limited. These systems rely on heat signatures to help identify targets and perform tasks.

Types and Applications of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Autonomous Mobile Robots have a wide range of uses. These devices can be used in any industry to boost efficiency and accuracy, including the following:

1. Seaport Automation

Autonomous mobile robots can be used to perform tasks such as unloading, loading, storing and monitoring of containers. This can speed the process of moving cargo from one vessel to another, reducing errors and saving operators time.

2. Transportation

With the ability to load and unload vehicles with ease, AMRs are beginning to replace human haulers. This helps ensure the correct placement of the product as well as helps drivers avoid “unexpected” stops.

What are Autonomous Mobile Robots Used For

According to the International Federation of Robotics’ latest projection, the number of industrial robots sold globally would nearly double between 2014 and 2018, reaching over 400,000 machines per year (IFR).

Autonomous mobile robots can be used for a number of tasks, including the following:

1. Locate and Transport Goods

Autonomous mobile robots can bring goods to a specific location within a warehouse. This can save time and money by eliminating the need for human operators to carry goods manually.

2. Load and Unload Vehicles

With fully-automated vehicles, AMRs locate vehicles while they are being transported, then load and unload products onto them without error or damage. This reduces human error while also increasing the accuracy and efficiency of operations.

3. Clean and Maintain

Autonomous mobile robots can also be used to clean specific areas in a warehouse and maintain equipment. They can also perform a number of other tasks such as sweeping floors, emptying trash cans, removing scrap material, and more.

Autonomous mobile robots are used to improve many different aspects of the shipping industry. From helping operators quickly locate the right items to performing basic cleanup tasks, these devices make daily operations easier for any business or organization that uses them.

Use of Autonomous Mobile Robots for Various Industries

1. Manufacturing

Manufacturers in every sector can benefit from the deployment of AMRs due to the numerous benefits these devices offer when it comes to improving factory efficiency, productivity, and quality.

2. Logistics

These robots can also be used in logistics and freight operations. They are easy to train as they are based on a neural network that can quickly learn. These robots are able to move through environments that are too dangerous or complex for humans, making them ideal for use in logistics.

3. Warehouse

Warehouse operations are much more complex than they may seem from the outside. However, AMRs can help companies significantly reduce manual errors and improve efficiency, accuracy, and safety in a warehouse setting. They can also help cut costs as well as boost productivity by improving inventory accuracy and reducing the need for additional human employees.

4. Food

AMRs can be used in a variety of scenarios when it comes to monitoring and measuring food quality. These devices can monitor food in storage, deliver edible products, detect spoilage, provide safe preparation instructions, or even deliver prepared meals to restaurants.

5. Hospitality

Hospitality industry workers often have very specific requirements for equipment and devices used during operations. AMRs can help meet these requirements as they are highly adaptable and can be programmed to perform a variety of tasks. For example, they can help reduce food waste or improve sanitation in restaurants and hotels. The robots are also fully integrated with most business solutions (e.g., ERP).

How to Choose The Right Autonomous Mobile Robot for Your Business

Robotic arms are becoming increasingly popular in a broad range of industries as autonomous robots become more advanced. Automated guided vehicles are often used in manufacturing and logistics to move materials around, and they are also increasingly being used in healthcare and other settings.

Unlike autonomous guided vehicles, which rely on existing infrastructure and follow their own routes, autonomous guided vehicles rely on machine learning to navigate.

Many businesses are interested in deploying commercial autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to improve factory efficiency, safety, or productivity. Before purchasing an AMR or using one in a business, there are many factors to consider.

This includes:

1. The Type of AMR Needed for the Application

AMRs have various functions that can be used for different applications across industries (e.g., logistics).

2. AMR Battery Requirements and Charging Systems

Several important factors should be considered when purchasing a commercial AMR machine or charger solution.

3. Level of User Education Required to Operate the Device

In a business environment, many employees will need to learn how to use an autonomous mobile robot system to achieve its full potential. For example, if it is not properly set up and configured, the robot will not be able to perform its intended functions (e.g., reduce human errors). This can cause additional business expenses as well as provide security risks since employees may require more time off to fix or replace broken devices.

4. Integration Capabilities with 3rd Party Systems (e.g. ERP)

Many AMRs are not integrated with 3rd party systems like ERP so they cannot take advantage of the wider functionality of their commercial robot operating system or be used for the purpose it was intended for (e.g., optimized warehouse automation).

5. Hardware and Software Costs

Many commercial AMRs are not integrated with 3rd party systems like ERP so they cannot take advantage of the wider functionality of their commercial robot operating system or be used for the purpose it was intended for (e.g., optimized warehouse automation).

6. Cost of the Device, Training, Maintenance, and Support

AMRs are built to be safe but there is still a risk of human error when these devices are in use. For example, if one is poorly designed it can cause an accident. As such, it is important to spend a little more on quality tools to protect themselves against such incidences as well as protect other employees from injury and damage to equipment.

Benefits of Using Autonomous Mobile Robots

Software components are a type of software that can be used for order fulfillment. Artificial intelligence and automation technology can be used to develop these software components. The development process typically involves designing, coding, testing, and deploying the software.

The mobile robot market is expanding as more autonomous solutions are adopted in warehouses. Logistics mobile industrial robots are predicted to generate more than 9.8 billion US dollars in revenue by 2025, while manufacturing mobile robots will generate 8.1 billion US dollars.

1. Improve Overall Efficiency and Accuracy

Many business owners and managers find AMRs to be a cost-effective way to boost productivity. By boosting overall efficiency, AMRs can help reduce the amount of time it takes to move items from one area to another.

This helps ensure that the right products are being used, reducing the risk of loss or damage to products. With increased accuracy in movement, it is easier for operators to quickly locate products in their areas as well, potentially saving time.

2. Reduce Human Error

With reduced human error, business owners and operators can focus on other tasks while they are using AMRs in their warehouses and facilities. Without the need to focus on one part of their facility, they can more easily take care of other tasks. This helps to boost the overall efficiency and quality of their facilities.

3. Improve Safety

AMRs have many different capabilities when it comes to protecting human life. They can help reduce the risk of injuries or accidents in a warehouse or business by reducing errors. They are programmed to be careful and cautious with their movements, ensuring that nothing is damaged in the process.

In addition, AMRs can help prevent theft and vandalism by acting as a deterrent against these types of offenses. When used effectively, AMRs can provide security for a business or facility without sacrificing efficiency or accuracy.

4. Boost Inventory Accuracy

AMRs provide businesses with the ability to track inventory in a warehouse or facility at all times. This helps reduce the risk of theft and damage to products. With increased accuracy, businesses can ensure that they always have the right amount of inventory on hand. They can also use this information to gain new insights into their business operations. This can help identify new opportunities and reduce costs throughout an organization.

5. Reduce Human Labor Costs

AMRs are designed to work independently, eliminating the need for human operators to manually perform tasks on a daily basis. This can lead to significant savings for businesses and other organizations that use these devices.

6. Reduce Risk of Theft

Many organizations have reported reduced losses due to theft because AMRs are programmed to be careful and cautious while they are in use. They also use cameras, heat sensors, height sensors, and other technologies to help prevent theft from occurring. By using AMRs to protect items against loss, businesses can improve their inventory accuracy while also reducing costs related to lost or damaged goods.

7. Boost Productivity

AMRs offer numerous benefits when it comes to boosting productivity in a business or facility. By making it easier for employees to complete their tasks each day, these devices can help businesses save time and meet deadlines more easily. In addition, they are designed to minimize the risk of accidents in a business or facility, saving time and money related to injuries on the job.

8. Boost Facility Quality

AMRs are designed with a variety of technologies that can be used to help streamline processes in a business or facility. These devices are equipped with advanced cameras, lasers, infrared sensors, and other features that make them simple to use.

This helps businesses cut costs by reducing the amount of time it takes for operators to locate items and perform routine tasks in their facilities. In addition, these devices provide increased accuracy, helping businesses spot hidden problems or defects before they become a problem.

6 Challenges of Using Autonomous Mobile Robots

Industrial mobile robots are becoming increasingly popular for material handling tasks in a variety of industries. These versatile mobile platforms can be equipped with a variety of payloads and are capable of operating in a wide range of environments.

1. Lack of Clear Standardization

There is no current standard for the development of AMRs. This may lead to problems with maintaining or updating AMRs in a business or other facility.

2. High Purchase Costs

Preference in technology implementation leads to the great disparity between prices and functionality across the industry. There are only a few vendors that offer solutions for the larger enterprise-level implementations, which are too expensive for most enterprises to move forward at their current state.

Most other solutions are deployed on a small scale, making them more cost-effective, but also hampering their application in larger scenarios (e.g., thousands of mobile robots).

3. Manual vs Automated Battery Maintenance & Charging

Some commercial AMRs require periodic maintenance and charging to be performed by users. This can be very time-consuming, requiring employees to change the batteries and clean them after each use.

The more mobile robots in a facility, the more difficult it is for employees to take care of all the AMRs, causing more downtime for the business and creating potential security threats.

Additionally, robotic platform vendors are currently offering solutions to address these challenges. Some vendors offer automated battery charging solutions for their robot platforms that make maintenance and charging easier for end-users (e.g., plug and play). This further alleviates any concerns with maintenance/charging for customers in a facility or enterprise-level implementation.

4. Limited Functionalities in Commercial AMRs

AMRs that are currently available to date have limited functionalities and are designed for very specific use cases. They often lack broader capabilities that would allow them to realize their full potential in a business or other facility. They just can’t do what they were built to do.

5. Poor Integration Capabilities with 3rd Party Systems

Most commercial AMRs are not integrated with third-party technology like ERP systems or other business applications. This means these devices cannot take advantage of the wider functionality of the mobile platform or be used for the purpose it was intended for (e.g., optimized warehouse automation).

6. High Failure Rates and the Risk of Breaking Things

While commercial AMRs are designed to be safe, they sometimes have a high failure rate and can accidentally break things while they are in use. This can cause additional expenses for businesses and other organizations as they will often need to pay employees overtime to fix or replace broken devices.

Final Note

The market was predicted to be worth over 55 billion US dollars in 2020, with approximately 2.7 million industrial robots in operation worldwide. The market is expected to exceed 165 billion US dollars by 2028.

Autonomous mobile robots are increasingly being used in businesses for a variety of purposes because they can pay for themselves due to the savings associated with their use. For example, AMRs can help reduce costs as well as boost productivity by improving inventory accuracy and reducing the need for additional human employees.

Robots also provide safety and security benefits since they are able to move around spaces that are too dangerous or complex for humans. They are also smart enough to perform many different tasks, including monitoring sensor readings and indicator lights to ensure equipment is running properly.

Last Updated on October 12, 2023 by Priyanshi Sharma

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Parina Parmar

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