Thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, robotic vehicles are becoming significantly smarter and more capable. They’re also becoming increasingly versatile, with a vast variety of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) fulfilling numerous roles in fields like warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, and the supply chain.
This guide explores some of the many types of autonomous mobile robots, exploring their functions and duties.
Key Takeaways
As the name implies, autonomous mobile robots are both autonomous, meaning that they can move around without human control, and mobile, meaning that they can navigate from one location to another, following their own routes and pathways through warehouses, distribution centers, etc.
They’re a lot like autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) in many respects, but with one major difference: AGVs are self-driving vehicles that still require some sort of human interaction to guide them, as human workers often lay out paths and markers for them to follow. AMRs, meanwhile, may navigate their environment without any human intervention, making their own decisions as they go.
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of autonomous mobile robot designs, each with its own specific functions to fulfill. Here’s a closer look at six autonomous robots changing the way we work:
Goods-to-person robots do exactly what their name suggests. They find goods, collect them, and transport them to a person, without that individual needing to move an inch. They can simply remain in place and let the robot do the hard work on their behalf.
There are different types of goods-to-person bots, such as inventory transportation models, that pick inventory from racks and shelves, as well as scalable storage pickers, which retrieve pallets, boxes, and cartons from storage locations.
These are among the most common types of autonomous mobile robots. Collaborative robots, or cobots, are designed to work side-by-side with human workers, automating some of the more mundane and trivial tasks on their behalf.
They can use a robotic arm to pick and put away items, for example, replenish areas where stock is running low, count items, gather data for other systems like inventory management applications, and sort goods into different groups.
Forklifts have long been integral cogs of the logistics machine, present in warehouses and distribution centers around the world. However, they have typically required human operators to drive them around and control them as they pick up and put away pallets or transport inventory here and there.
Autonomous forklifts are the next evolution of this technology. With the power to drive themselves around the warehouse floor, these sophisticated forklifts plot their routes with precision to collect goods and move them wherever they’re needed.
Sortation AMRs can take on a wide range of sorting tasks in warehouses and distribution tasks. Using their various sensors and built-in AI, they can categorize objects according to type, size, weight, destination, and more.
They’re often most effective when paired with other kinds of AMRs that can then pick and transport items from the sorted groups, taking them where they need to be in the next step of the order fulfillment process.
Similar to some of the other AMRs listed above, automated storage and retrieval robots are designed to transport goods where they’re needed. They can put items into storage, placing pallets on high racks, for example, but are equally effective at retrieving items, as needed.
Speed and efficiency are the key selling points of these robots and many others. They’re remarkably rapid and precise when it comes to placing or collecting items from specific, pinpoint locations.
Many businesses are incorporating AMRs into their operations, and with benefits like these, it’s not hard to see why:
To maximize the benefits of autonomous mobile robots, businesses need a warehouse control system that keeps pace with fast-moving operations. That’s where BoxLogix comes in.
Our proprietary Logix WCS is designed to integrate seamlessly with your existing WMS or WES, giving you the tools to unlock the full power of AMRs. Key features include:
With Logix WCS, warehouses can reduce costs, increase throughput, and scale more confidently as automation evolves. Explore Logix WCS features and watch a short video overview here.
The AMR industry is moving fast, with several exciting trends for interested observers to keep an eye on:
The short answer to that question is almost certainly yes. If your business operates in any field that has a reliance on robotics, such as logistics, manufacturing, warehouse work, distribution centers, order fulfillment, retail, e-commerce, healthcare, and even agriculture, investing in AMR tech today could deliver a much brighter and better tomorrow.
The benefits of these robots are clear to see. They’re transforming the operations of businesses across the globe, improving every key metric that matters, from efficiency to inventory management, budget control, workplace security, and profitability. Even though they cost some money to acquire and deploy initially, they can pay you back tenfold in the long term.
Plus, as time goes by, it’s inevitable that more and more businesses, including your competitors, are highly likely to adopt this technology. Getting in on the ground floor could provide early adopters with that all-important edge to outlast and outperform their biggest rivals.
If your business could benefit from AMR technology, but you’re not quite sure where to start or how to make the most of these game-changing robots, turn to the pros. BoxLogix has years of experience and a proven track record of assisting companies like yours in selecting the perfect solutions to optimize their logistics.
Contact our team today to get the ball rolling.
Mobile robots generally fall into categories like autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). Within AMRs, there are several types, including goods-to-person robots, collaborative mobile robots, autonomous forklifts, drones, sortation solutions, and automated storage and retrieval systems.
A common example is a collaborative mobile robot, or “cobot,” which works alongside human employees in warehouses. These robots can pick and place items, replenish stock, or gather data, taking on repetitive tasks while freeing workers for higher-value responsibilities.
Businesses in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and even agriculture are adopting AMRs. They rely on these robots to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and create safer, more productive environments.
Collaborative mobile robots are currently among the most widely deployed AMRs. Their versatility and ability to work side-by-side with humans make them especially attractive across industries like e-commerce, logistics, and supply chain management.
Autonomous robots are self-navigating, meaning they can move through an environment without human control. They are adaptive, using sensors and AI to make decisions in real time, and they are mobile, able to travel and perform tasks across different areas within a facility.