Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a kind of technology that is swiftly gaining popularity inside warehouses and distribution centers globally. These robots are engineered to move around a material handling facility independently, without necessitating worker supervision. They include sensors and software that let them traverse the storage location, locate and grab things, and take them to their destination.

Autonomous Mobile Robot Benefits

A primary benefit to utilizing AMRs within material handling facilities is the enhanced capability they can bring. By automating duties such as material handling and transportation, AMRs will drastically reduce the time and effort required to finish such tasks. This can mean faster order processing and delivery times, as well as decreased labor fees.

Another benefit to AMRs is their ability to operate around the clock, without any requirement for breaks or rest. This allows warehouses to optimize their productivity and throughput, as the AMRs can work around the clock without experiencing tiredness.

AMRs can also increase safety in warehouses, because they have installed programming and sensors allowing them to avert collisions with different objects and people. This can limit the risk of injuries and accidents in the facility, which is particularly important in places that include heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks.

Types Of AMRs

There are a few unique types of AMRs currently on the market, respectively engineered for specific environments and tasks. Some customary applications of AMRs include:

• Order Picking AMRs: AMRs can be found in a great collection of styles that are intended to limit picking-related retrieval time. Using AMRs to take items to the picker removes travel time for hourly workers and can be transformative relative to cost and efficiency.
• Sortation AMRs: Sortation can benefit greatly from implementing autonomous mobile robots. Different sorts of AMRs have a range of handling technologies. They can be equipped with anything from cross belt systems to tilt trays, and can be helpful in returns handling, e-com fulfillment, and high speed parcel sortation.
• Inventory AMRs: Currently order fulfillment depends on having precise, transparent inventory visibility—understanding where the product is in the warehouse, distribution center, and entire supply chain. However, coordinating inventory movement and reconciliation can be challenging and time-intensive for particularly large and complex operations. AMRs that are directly integrated with an inventory structure can significantly limit the time and expenses necessary to maintain maximum productivity and order exactness.

AMR Implementation

Implementing AMRs in a warehouse demands careful forethought and consideration. It is essential to carefully assess the duties that that will be done by the AMRs, and ensure that they are equipped with the necessary software and sensors to address these tasks properly. It is likewise necessary to plan for the floorplan of the warehouse and the possible effect on separate processes and systems, like the storage and material handling systems.

A challenge of deploying AMRs is the need for integration them with current processes and systems. AMRs frequently need to be connected to warehouse management systems (WMS) and other computer systems in order to run properly. This can require significant labor and materials, and may require the development of custom software or incorporation with third-party systems.

An additional difficulty is the need for continual maintenance and support. AMRs must have consistent software updates and maintenance in order to go on operating properly, and it is necessary to have a plan in place to guarantee that these duties are done in a quick and effective manner.

Talk To A Warehouse Automation Expert

Collectively, autonomous mobile robots will bring substantial up sides to warehouses and distribution centers, including elevated safety, productivity, and efficiency. If you’d like to find out more about designing and implementing an AMR program, talk to a warehouse automation expert at Raymond West today.

Raymond West's Orange County service area includes Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | Orange County Material Handling Equipment Supplier

Orange County, CA
(714) 790-9300