Autonomous Mobile Robots | MuL Technologies

An autonomous mobile robot (or AMR) is an intelligent machine that can understand, navigate, and react to its environment while performing certain tasks — all without human control or supervision.Autonomous mobile robots in warehouse settings, as an example, may be used for anything from sorting, picking, and packing, to batching, transportation, and fulfillment. Doing so addresses one of the biggest challenges in all industries — the labor crisis — and also provides specific operational benefits: AMRs save time, enhance productivity, and can ultimately increase profitability.

Their wide-ranging capabilities make autonomous mobile robots attractive to industrial decision makers. However, there are also several potential detractors:

AMRs can fall victim to over-design. The advanced technologies that make them such amazing tools can also inspire the inclusion of extraneous and costly features that drive up the purchase price — which alone can put them out of reach for small to midsize industrial facilities
Incorporating some AMRs into a work environment can lead to unanticipated expenses: employee training hours, facility modifications, on-site software installation and maintenance, and adding or expanding WiFi coverage to ensure uninterrupted connectivity
Return on investment (ROI) takes longer to achieve due to substantial upfront costs

All things considered, autonomous mobile robots are the long sought-after solution for many companies. Equally as important is acknowledging what AMRs are not:

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs), which are guided by a predefined path of metallic tape or physical track and cannot make independent decisions about movement and can only follow a single, predefined path. If an object is in the way of an AGV, the obstacle needs to be physically removed to restore AGV motion:

Automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS), which are computer-controlled to automatically place and retrieve loads from set storage locations, usually guided by an elaborate physical track setup and control software of some sort. By design, these robots are programmed for a single task using the control software, and can only do that single task until they are reprogrammed
Industrial robotics, which are robotic arms equipped with multi-directional movement and programming to carry out tasks under the guidance and direction of a human operator and are in a single, fixed location

In the age of Industry 4.0 and the rapidly expanding Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), it’s easy to lump technologies together, but that could lead to missing out on the dynamic aid of fully autonomous technology.

Autonomous mobile robot applications range in complexity and function. The versatility, adaptability, and ease of use of the technology makes it easy for AMRs to do mundane non- value-add tasks such as carrying components or other items between unique locations.

Warehouse (incl. Distribution/Logistics)

Warehousing and distribution centers commonly use AMRs to load, unload, stack, and retrieve pallets of products. But managing large volumes of goods is just one benefit. Likewise, picking “eaches” — a task growing in concert with the e-commerce industry — is an ideal application. Bringing goods to people, as is the case of shuttling merchandise between operators or departments, is also a time-saving benefit of AMR deployment.

Manufacturing

In 2022 and beyond, logistics operations are poised to use more AMRs in manufacturing environments, but that doesn’t preclude growth in industrial sectors. Factories are increasingly integrating autonomous mobile robots for limited manufacturing-related tasks, and an estimated 53,000 facilities will deploy mobile robots within the next three years.¹

As in warehouses, manufacturing facilities are finding AMRs perfect solutions for truck/dock unloading, movement of products with production facilities, and end-stage processes like pallet-wrapping for outbound shipments. There is a significant push to reduce the time that scarce and fully trained employees spend on non-value-add activities in all areas.

Cost/ROI

Like any investment, there are hard and soft costs to consider with AMRs. Machine prices can vary dramatically based upon the included features, and soft costs encompass impact on capacity, productivity, labor, and other facility benchmarks as determined by the user.

Given the variables, putting a strict time frame on achieving full return on investment (ROI) is difficult. Popular yet inexact estimates range anywhere from 12 to 18 months2, and sometimes much longer.

Automation is usually implemented to realize positive cash flow in the long-term, so if a short-term ROI is possible it is wise to consider the option. AMRs that are completely independent also reduce the implementation time, which can often delay the start of the financial benefit that leads to the ROI.

Implementation

Deciding to use autonomous mobile robots and actually deploying them are two very different things. Careful consideration must be given to how implementation will impact your processes, operational systems such as ERPs, and your personnel.

Establishing an internal Robotics Committee to gain perspectives from throughout your organization and to manage the budget is a necessary first step. This committee also serves to identify and vet potential AMR suppliers and platforms that align with your business model.

With MūL Technologies Mobile Autonomous Robotic Cart (MARC^®) few — if any — of these time-consuming and sometimes costly second phase steps are necessary.

MARC^® has the brains to map your facility, avoid obstacles, and get things where they need to go on time. MARC^® is a powerful performer, but the technology is easy to operate right out of the box! No need for WiFi, complicated facility infrastructures, or steep learning curves — that’s a win-win for your business and your workers!

Opportunities are growing in areas outside of warehousing, manufacturing, and distribution, too. Cleaning services, hospital and healthcare settings, the hospitality industry, grocery stores, and security patrols are also beginning to leverage the advantages of AMRs.

Autonomous mobile robots are on-trend to become the rule rather than the exception in many industries, and with good reason: There is clear opportunity, growing need, and exceptional solutions like the MūL Technologies Mobile Autonomous Robotic Cart (MARC^®).

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Introduction to
Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

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