Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a vein of technology that is very quickly gaining popularity within material handling facilities worldwide. This kind of robot is designed to move around a warehouse on its own, without the need for employee intervention. They have sensors and software installed that let them move about the premises, locate and pick up items, and carry them to their destination.

Autonomous Mobile Robot Benefits

One of the greatest benefits to utilizing AMRs in distribution centers is the heightened capability they can provide. Through automating duties like material transportation and handling, AMRs are able to drastically limit the time and effort necessary to fulfill such tasks. This leads to faster order processing and delivery times, as well as decreased fees for labor.

An additional benefit to AMRs is their continual hours of operation, without the need for rest or breaks. This means warehouses can elevate their throughput and productivity, because the AMRs can work around the clock without experiencing fatigue.

AMRs also can boost safety in storage facilities, as they have installed programming and sensors that enable them to avoid collisions with other items and people. This can limit the possibility of accidents and injuries in the facility, which is particularly essential in operations that include heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks.

Types Of AMRs

There are a selection of unique kinds of AMRs currently for sale, individually engineered for particular facilities and tasks. Some prevailing applications of AMRs encompass:

• Order Picking AMRs: AMRs can be found in an extensive collection of styles that attempt to reduce picking-related retrieval time. Having AMRs bring wares to the picker removes travel time for hourly employees and can be transformative relative to cost and efficiency.
• Sortation AMRs: Sortation can benefit greatly from the use of autonomous mobile robots. Different kinds of AMRs possess a range of handling tools. It’s feasible to equip them with everything from cross belt systems to tilt trays, and can be useful in high speed parcel sortation, returns handling, and e-com fulfillment.
• Inventory AMRs: Contemporary order fulfillment relies on having accurate, transparent inventory visibility—being aware of whereabouts the product is within the warehouse, distribution center, and entire supply chain. However, coordinating inventory transportation and reconciliation can be difficult and time-consuming for very large and complex operations. AMRs that are directly integrated with an inventory database can exceptionally lessen the time and expenses needed to keep at maximum efficiency and order accuracy.

AMR Implementation

Deploying AMRs in a warehouse requires diligent planning and consideration. It is essential to carefully examine the jobs that that will be completed by the AMRs, and make sure that they are configured with the required sensors and software to address these jobs efficiently. It is likewise important to account for the configuration of the warehouse or distribution center and the potential impact on other processes and systems, such as the storage and material handling systems.

A obstacle of deploying AMRs is consolidating them with current processes and systems. AMRs often need to be linked to warehouse management systems (WMS) and other computer systems in order to run properly. This can need considerable effort and resources, and might necessitate the development of unique software or integration with third-party systems.

Another difficulty is the necessity for continual maintenance and support. AMRs require frequent maintenance and software updates in order to continue operating properly, and it is important to have a plan figured out to guarantee that these caretaking is finished in a quick and effective manner.

Talk To A Warehouse Automation Expert

Altogether, autonomous mobile robots are able to bring considerable up sides to material handling facilities, such as elevated efficiency, productivity, and safety. To learn more about laying out and deploying an AMR project, talk to a warehouse automation representative at Raymond West right away.

Raymond West's San Diego facility serves all of San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Chula Vista, Downtown, El Cajon, Escondido, Fenton Carroll Canyon, Grantville, Kearney Mesa, Levanto, Morena, National City, Oceanside, Otay, Otay Mesa, Poway, San Marcos, Santee, Sorrento Mesa, Spring Valley, Vista and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | San Diego Material Handling Equipment Supplier

8221 Arjons Dr # B2
San Diego, CA 92126
(858) 679-1800