Autonomous Mobile Robots Market

Market Overview

The global autonomous mobile robots market size was valued at USD 3.01 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 13.97 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 18.6% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

An autonomous mobile robot is a state of robot that can independently comprehend and navigate its environment. AMRs are unlike their progenitors, autonomous guided vehicles (AGVs), which rely on tracks or predetermined paths and frequently require operator supervision. AMRs use sophisticated sensors, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computation for path planning to interpret and navigate their environment without wired electricity.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are equipped with visual cameras and sensors, enabling them to detect and respond to unforeseen obstacles encountered during navigation within their environments. Examples of such obstacles include fallen boxes or crowded areas. In order to mitigate potential collisions, AMRs employ a navigation strategy known as collision avoidance. This technique involves the AMR decelerating, halting, or altering its trajectory to circumvent the obstacle, thereby ensuring the uninterrupted progression of its assigned task.

Market Dynamics

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Drivers

High Adoption of Robots in Warehouse Logistics Operations

Warehouse and distribution center managers can now concentrate on automating their manual operational process to satisfy clients' altering purchasing habits due to the e-commerce industry's exponential growth. As per data provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce in February 2020, online retail purchases accounted for 16.0% of the total retail purchases. In simple terms, this technology empowers prominent e-commerce enterprises to integrate autonomous systems throughout their complete fulfillment processes.

In January 2021, Walmart Inc. began installing automated warehouses staffed by robots for collection and delivery at dozens of its retail locations. It provides clients with greater availability, faster fulfillment, and increased efficiency. Similarly, in December 2020, Sam's Club's fulfillment center in Southern California will also incorporate autonomous mobile robots from GreyOrange for online orders. Therefore, the growing adoption of autonomous mobile robots in warehousing operations is expected to drive market growth.

Increased Safety at High-Risk Workplace

The COVID-19 problem has prompted the manufacturing industry to prioritize workplace safety as a significant issue. Autonomous mobile robots are deployed in manufacturing industries to support necessary social distancing measures. Implementing harmless mobile robotics also significantly impacts ROI, as a minimal risk to workers reduces worker medical expenses, compensation payments, and costs for legal services.

Warehouse atmospheres require significant amounts of heavy lifting and repetitive motion work from which the human body and mind experience fatigue. It provides documentation of ergonomic injuries, accidents, and substandard quality resulting from the conflict. For instance, in 2019, according to the National Safety Council report, low-risk workplace injuries related to forklifts led to around 8,140 and 79 work-related deaths. Autonomous mobile robots can avoid such accidents and can handle 100 kg (200 lb) to 4,536 kg (10,000 lb), moving supplies, inventory, and equipment quickly and proficiently. Such factors spur market growth.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Restraint

Variation in Application-Specific Requirements

There are various sectors where autonomous mobile robots find their applications. The downside of robots operating in many sectors with different roles is that a robot operating in hospitals cannot replace a robot operating in distribution centers or homes. Robots can only serve single purposes because they are built for specific industries and tasks. The manufacturer needs different production lines to make these robots to serve different specific needs.

It is challenging and not feasible to cater to many different needs, which are very niche and specific for the sector or taste. Another reason robots cannot be mass-produced is because they are not like one-size-fits-all kinds of entities. Robots are built mostly on very specific needs and considering the operating environment. The programming of the robot will also change as per the need. All these factors will hamper the market growth in the future.

Global Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Opportunities

Emergence of Artificial Intelligence Technology in Autonomous Mobile Robots 

The market for autonomous mobile robots is expanding owing to advances in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, which enable the development of sophisticated autonomous mobile robots. Developing sophisticated sensor technologies has significantly increased autonomous mobile robots' capabilities. Robots can accurately see and navigate their environment using sensors such as cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and LIDAR systems. In addition, algorithms and techniques for machine learning allow autonomous mobile robots to learn and adapt to their environments.

Autonomous mobile robots have intelligent navigation systems that employ Al algorithms to plan efficient routes, avoid obstacles, and adapt to dynamic environments. In addition, cloud computing allows for real-time data processing and analysis and remote monitoring and control of autonomous mobile robots. For instance, Mobile Industrial Robots provide collaborative autonomous mobile robots that use Al-based navigation algorithms to optimize routes and prevent collisions in industrial and warehouse environments. Thus, such initiatives by key players to embed AI technology in autonomous mobile robots create opportunities for market growth.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global autonomous mobile robots market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Europe is the most significant global autonomous mobile robots market shareholder and is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 17.3% during the forecast period. The requirement for material-handling equipment among the current players in the manufacturing sector drives the growth of the autonomous mobile robots market. Process automation still drives growth in other industry sectors and verticals. For example, in July 2022, 6 River Systems and contract logistics provider GXO Logistics, Inc. established a multiyear global deal. The companies have established this agreement to ensure their logistics operations across the U.S. and Europe comply with Collaborative Mobile Robot (CMR) rules.

In addition, major players are expanding their regional distribution channels to increase sales, service and support, deployment, and training services, which is expected to drive market growth. For instance, in December 2020, AutoGuide Mobile Robots revealed the expansion of its European operations by establishing a new office in Munich, Germany, to provide its distributors and customers with the highest support. Governmental bodies' massive investments to promote the establishment of smart factories and Industry 4.0 are additional factors propelling the global market.

Asia-Pacific is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 20.3% over the forecast period. Autonomous mobile robots for inventory management are being promoted by the expanding e-commerce sector in the developing nations of Asia-Pacific. E-commerce companies are deploying autonomous mobile robots in their warehouses to automate intralogistics operations, including picking, sorting, and palletizing. For instance, in October 2018, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., a Chinese e-commerce and retail company, opened a warehouse with a fleet of more than 700 working mobile robots to deal with the massive demand from Singles Day, the company's annual shopping festival. In addition, the presence of major nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, and others, concentrating on integrating advanced technologies such as 5G networks, AI-based route mapping, and localization, may impact the market's growth.

North America captured a significant growth rate over the forecast year. This growth is due to the surging adoption of autonomous mobile robots in the manufacturing industry, as the costs associated with the maintenance and procurement of autonomous mobile robots are significantly lesser than those incurred on staff salaries and other related benefits. The market is expected to be driven by the widespread deployment of autonomous mobile robots by established companies in the logistics sector for the internal transportation of intermediate items. In addition, rapid technological adoption, the presence of major manufacturers in this region, and massive financing from regulatory bodies to construct automated warehouses and distribution centers all contribute to the market's expansion.

South America is anticipated to exhibit sluggish market growth because major vendors expand their manufacturing capacities, sales, and distribution channels in emerging nations to cater to the untapped market, further fueling the market growth in this region. The Middle East and Africa are also expected to grow moderately due to the region's increasing infrastructure development. The manufacturing industries operating in countries such as the GCC, Turkey, Israel, and other nations emphasize smart factories and Industry 4.0, which may affect the market's growth.

Segmental Analysis

The global autonomous mobile robots market is segmented by type, battery type, end-user, and application.

Based on type, the global autonomous mobile robots market is segmented into goods-to-person picking robots, self-driving forklifts, autonomous inventory robots, and unmanned aerial vehicles. 

The goods-to-person picking robots segment owns the highest market share and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 17.01% during the forecast period. Goods-to-person picking robots are mobile robotic picking solutions that carry carts and navigate flexible routes in the inventory to transport items between workers and stations. For instance, in July 2021, Geek+, a China-based technology provider company, announced it sold around 20,000 robots across the globe. The company product portfolio comprises goods-to-person picking robots, bin-to-person RoboShuttles and sorting, moving, and lifting robots. The adoption of goods-to-person picking robotics is increasing as it reduces labor costs by 50 to 70 percent and increases productivity by more than 300 percent.

Many robotics companies, including Bleum, GreyOrange, and IAM Robotics, provide autonomous mobile robotic picking systems that may increase the productivity of warehouse and industrial processes. For instance, Locus Robotics, a company that automates robotic processes, claims that by reducing people costs related to "task interleaving," travel time, overtime, and training fees, their selecting robots may increase production by 3-5 times.

Based on battery type, the global autonomous mobile robots market is bifurcated into lead batteries, lithium-ion batteries, nickel-based batteries, and others. 

The lead battery segment dominates the global market and is projected to exhibit a CAGR of 16.6% over the forecast period. The high percentage of lead batteries segment can be attributed to its low-cost advantages over other battery types. Lead batteries are appropriate for several industrial applications because they ensure constant voltage, excellent reversibility, and lengthy useful life. Likewise, low maintenance and easy to charge are some benefits fueling the demand for lead battery segments. One example of an autonomous mobile robot powered by lead batteries is KUKA AG's KMR QUANTEC AMR mobile industrial robot system. It does away with the need for wiring and offers a higher level of versatility using industrial wireless LAN technology.

Based on end-users, the global autonomous mobile robots market is divided into manufacturing and wholesale and distribution sectors. 

The manufacturing segment is the most significant contributor to the market and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 18.1% over the forecast period. The manufacturing segment covers the scope of the autonomous mobile robots that the manufacturers use for their product cycle. The prime role of autonomous mobile robots is considered under the manufacturing facility (production floor) along with their warehouse operations. The segment has been divided into automotive, aerospace, electronics, pharmaceuticals, plastics, chemical, defense, FMCG, and others.

Furthermore, the automotive segment is the largest revenue contributor to the market. Autonomous mobile robots enable automobiles to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce lead times, and simplify material flow. Additionally, with the adoption of Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing techniques, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are growing in popularity as a logistical solution that can quickly adapt to changing production layouts and processes as automotive manufacturers prioritize flexibility over volume throughout the forecast period.

Based on application, the global autonomous mobile robots market is divided into warehouses, manufacturing, and others. 

The warehouse segment is the largest revenue contributor to the market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 19.6% over the forecast period. Autonomous Mobile Robots have proven highly efficient while managing small and varied goods in a very tight delivery time. In the warehouse, a task such as the number of picking orders per hour per operator allows organizations to calculate the productivity required per robot. In addition, autonomous mobility robots work with warehouse staff to move inventory during picking, acquiring supplies, or shifting large amounts of material. They convey batches to the next processing stage, allowing workers to go on to the next activity.

Various companies collaborate with automation service providers to automate their warehouse operations. For instance, in April 2020, DHL, the logistics company, announced its expanded partnership with Avidbots Corporation to install Neo floor-scrubbing robots in warehouses, hubs, and terminals worldwide.

Recent Developments

• July 2023- Advantech, a prominent provider of industrial computing platforms, partnered with MOV.AI, a mobile robotics software solutions provider. This partnership seeks to accelerate the development of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) by providing robot manufacturers and integrators access to cutting-edge industrial computing technology and a robust software platform for developing, deploying, and operating intelligent robots.
• July 2023- Karter, a division of Weighpack, introduced three new autonomous mobile robots (AMR) solutions designed for various applications, including intralogistics, manufacturing, agriculture, and transportation of large products and components. According to the company, Karter AMRs are extremely mobile and simple to integrate into a site's existing operations, as they can operate for eight hours after only ten minutes of charging.