Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Goods-to-Person Picking Robots, Self-Driving Forklifts, Autonomous Inventory Robots, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), By Battery Type (Lead Battery, Lithium-Ion Battery, Nickel-based Battery, Others), By End-User (Manufacturing, Wholesale and Distribution Sector), By Applications (Warehouse, Manufacturing, Others) and By Region(North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, LATAM) Forecasts, 2024-2032

Autonomous Mobile Robots Market Size

The global autonomous mobile robots market size was valued at USD 4.32 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 9.9 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 9.65% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The increase in autonomous mobile robots market share during the forecast period is related to the high adoption of robots in warehouse logistics operations and increased safety at high-risk workplaces.

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.

Additionally, 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 barriers include fallen boxes or crowded areas. AMRs employ a navigation strategy known as collision avoidance to mitigate potential collisions. This technique involves the AMR decelerating, halting, or altering its trajectory to circumvent the obstacle, thereby ensuring the uninterrupted progression of its assigned task.

Highlights

• The goods-to-person picking robots segment owns the highest market share by type.
• The lead battery segment dominates the global market by battery type.
•  The manufacturing segment is the most significant contributor by end-users.
• The warehouse segment is the most significant revenue contributor by application

Autonomous Mobile Robots Growth Factors

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.

Additionally, 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.

Restraining Factors

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 a single purpose because they are built for specific industries and tasks. The manufacturer needs different production lines to make these robots to serve different particular needs.

In addition, 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 different from one-size-fits-all kinds of entities. Robots are built chiefly on particular needs and considering the operating environment. The robot's programming will also change as needed. All these factors will hamper the market growth in the future.

Market Opportunity

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 AMR. Developing sophisticated sensor technologies has significantly increased autonomous mobile robots' capabilities. Robots can accurately see and navigate their environment using cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and LIDAR systems. In addition, algorithms and techniques for machine learning allow AMR to learn and adapt to their environments.

Similarly, 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, analysis, and remote monitoring and control of AMR. For instance, Mobile Industrial Robots provide collaborative autonomous 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 Insights

Europe Dominates the Global Market

Europe is the most significant global AMR 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 the Fastest-growing region

Asia-Pacific is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 20.3% over the forecast period. AMR 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 more than 700 working mobile robots to deal with the massive demand from Singles Day, the company's annual shopping festival. In addition, significant nations such as China, Japan, South Korea, India, and others, are concentrating on integrating advanced technologies such as 5G networks, AI-based route mapping, and localization, which 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 AMR 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 AMR 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.

Segmentation Analysis

By Type

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.

By Battery Type 

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, helpful life. Likewise, low maintenance and ease of 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.

By End-Users

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 AMR that the manufacturers use for their product cycle. The prime role of AMR 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 most significant revenue contributor to the market. AMR 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.

By Applications

The warehouse segment is the most significant revenue contributor to the market and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 19.6% over the forecast period. AMR have proven highly efficient in 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 following processing stage, allowing workers to proceed 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 Development

• March 2024-Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR) launched the MiR1200. This autonomous pallet jack is equipped with advanced 3D vision and AI, allowing for precise handling of pallets, a significant enhancement showcased at LogiMAT 2024. 
• June 2024 - NVIDIA has disclosed that the world's foremost experts in robot development are incorporating the NVIDIA Isaac robotics platform into the research, development, and production of the next iteration of AI-enabled autonomous machines and robots.