Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a type of technology that is very quickly increasing in popularity in warehouses globally. AMRs are designed to navigate a warehouse or distribution center on their own, without involving employee supervision. They are equipped with sensors and software that let them move about the premises, track down and pick up products, and carry them to their destination.
Autonomous Mobile Robot Benefits
A main advantage to implementing AMRs inside material handling facilities is the increased efficiency they are able to contribute. Through automating jobs like material transportation and handling, AMRs can drastically lessen the time and effort necessary to complete such jobs. This can mean faster order processing and delivery times, and reduced prices for labor.
Another advantage to AMRs lies in their tireless operation, without any requirement for breaks or rest. This allows warehouses to increase their throughput and efficiency, because the robots can operate continually without experiencing any exhaustion.
AMRs also can increase safety in storage facilities, as they come equipped with sensors and programming allowing them to prevent impacts with objects and people. This reduces the possibility of injuries and accidents in the facility, which is particularly important in places that include heavy lifting and other physically demanding jobs.
Types Of AMRs
There are a few different types of AMRs that can be bought on the market, each designed for unique jobs and environments. Some prevailing applications of AMRs are these:
- Order Picking AMRs: AMRs can be found in a broad range of styles that are meant to limit picking-related retrieval time. Utilizing AMRs to move goods to the picker removes travel time for hourly staff members and can be transformative in terms of efficiency and cost.
- Sortation AMRs: Sortation can benefit significantly from the use of autonomous mobile robots. Different types of AMRs have an assortment of handling technologies. They can be equipped with everything from tilt trays to cross belt systems, and they can be useful in returns handling, e-com fulfillment, and high speed parcel sortation.
- Inventory AMRs: Contemporary order fulfillment is dependant on having precise, transparent inventory visibility—understanding exactly where the product is inside your warehouse, distribution center, and overall supply chain. However, arranging inventory movement and reconciliation can be difficult and time-intensive for particularly large and elaborate operations. AMRs that are integrated directly with an inventory system can drastically reduce the time and money necessary to sustain maximum efficiency and order integrity.
AMR Implementation
Implementing AMRs in a warehouse or distribution center requires extensive consideration and forethought. It is essential to thoroughly assess the jobs that that will be performed by the robots, and make sure that they are equipped with the required software and sensors to perform these duties effectively. It is likewise important to consider the configuration of the material handling facility and the possible influence on different systems and processes, such as the material handling and storage systems.
A challenge of deploying AMRs is the need for incorporation of them with current systems and processes. AMRs often must be integrated with warehouse management systems (WMS) and other software systems in order to function properly. This sometimes takes substantial time and resources, and may mean the implementation of proprietary software or incorporation with third-party systems.
One more obstacle is the necessity for recurring support and maintenance. AMRs require consistent software updates and maintenance in order to keep functioning correctly, and it is necessary to create a plan to make sure that these tasks are completed in a routine and capable fashion.
Talk To A Warehouse Automation Expert
Collectively, autonomous mobile robots will add significant benefits to warehouses and distribution centers, such as enhanced productivity, efficiency, and safety. If you’d like to learn more about engineering and implementing an AMR program, contact a warehouse automation representative at Welch Equipment now.
