The warehouse automation market has undergone a major transformation in recent years. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are the future of warehouse sortation and transportation. Adapting a fleet of autonomous robots to do what traditionally has been done by large, expensive and fixed structural systems is the new way of operating, and is here to stay.

In the past, warehouses relied on fixed conveyor systems to sort and transport goods from one location to another within the facility. However, the rapid growth of e-commerce, as well as supply-chain disruptions experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, have accelerated the warehouse-automation market and its adoption rate today. As a result, there’s a broad range of new mobile robot options and vendors offering many advantages over traditional fixed automation.

Some of the key benefits of today’s AMR systems include:

• Cost: Traditional fixed systems typically require a large, upfront capital investment. Flexible automation such as AMRs enables companies to not only reduce equipment costs, but also labor and operational expense. Additionally, some mobile robotics providers are now offering rental or lease financing, further reducing overall system costs.
• Capacity: Fixed automation has capacity limits. In today’s uncertain world, it’s impossible to predict the needs of tomorrow. AMR-based systems offer the flexibility to quickly expand or downsize operations as needed to meet changes in demand.
• Capabilities: Since traditional conveyor and sortation systems are part of the fixed structure, they’re not only limited when it comes to capacity, but also in their functionality and flexibility. AMR systems offer a wealth of capabilities, enabling retailers to process a wide range of products by unit or parcel, and scale or relocate as needed.

Outlook

As fulfillment methods and customer shopping habits continue to change, flexibility in robotics systems is becoming more important than ever. To survive in today’s dynamic business environment, retailers need options that are cost-effective, rapidly deployed, and capable of adapting to current and future needs.

Mike Futch is President of Tompkins Robotics.