For warehouse and fulfillment center operations, having a successful and efficient operation is essential to keeping up with customer demands and staying competitive. Autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are becoming increasingly popular in many materials handling operations, as they provide a reliable way to automate and streamline processes, boost productivity, and reduce costs.

What Is An AMR?

An autonomous mobile robot (AMR) is a machine that can navigate on its own through a warehouse or fulfillment center. It does so by constructing a digital map of its environment with onboard cameras and sensors, allowing it to move about without external assistance.

Unlike autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), which typically follow a fixed path, AMRs can adapt and reroute based on current conditions, detecting and avoiding obstacles. Because they don’t follow a prescribed route, AMRs can get some tasks done rapidly and more efficiently than AGVs.

AMR Capabilities

By supporting floor operations, transportation, and processing, AMRs can boost the efficiency of logistics and operations. To reduce the need for manual labor, AMRs can take on the most monotonous, time-consuming, and dangerous jobs rather than completely replacing people. They become a part of your operation and assist in areas where machines are more effective than humans. In other words, AMRs are tools that facilitate and increase the productivity of employees' work in the warehouse.

They can take on a variety of tasks, including product picking and put-away, sortation and general transportation of goods.  They are often put to use in scenarios that require:

• Goods-to-person configurations
• Piece or pallet picking
• Bulk materials transport
• Part or component delivery

How Can I Use AMRs In My Operation?

AMRs are quite versatile and can benefit your operation in many ways. They can assist your business in five key ways:

Boost Productivity: AMRs can help your workers focus on productive tasks, as opposed to spending walking or driving to various places within your facility. This reduction in travel time for your employees can result in huge gains in productivity. 

Reduce Errors: Robots can help you greatly reduce, if not eliminate, pick errors and other typical human error problems.

Control Costs: More production from fewer employees can help you greatly reduce your labor costs. A reduction in pick errors can also help you improve your bottom line. 

Maintain Flexibility: AMRs are easy to “plug in” to an existing operation without causing major disruption or system modifications. They can also be easily added or subtracted as your business requirements change. 

Adapt: When there are seasonal or economic changes, AMRs can take over time consuming or lower value tasks, leaving your skilled employees for more productive work. 

Talk To A Warehouse Robotics Consultant

Are you interested in adding AMRs to your operation?  Give our warehouse automation team a call today to discuss applications and options.