The main advantages of autonomous mobile robots are:
Increased productivity.
Lower labour costs and increased efficiency.
Increased flexibility and fast implementation as it isn’t necessary to predefine the routes robots machines need to follow, hence the deployment phase is significantly shortened.
Advanced task accuracy also increases the safety and dexterity of robots when performing tasks.
Enhanced connectivity improves operation capabilities and serves as an additional source of actionable data of the inner workings of a facility.
Types of autonomous mobile robots
Generally, in the context of industries and distribution centres, AMRs are split into three main categories:
AMRs that operate inventory within a facility. For instance, autonomous robots can transport orders across a warehouse or in a shipping facility countless times in a day, in different cycles.Transportation is a labour-intensive task, and employing robots for these tasks is one of the fastest ways to free up humans for more mission-critical tasks without disrupting workflows.
AMRs that assist in monotonous, repetitive processes. Many AMRs are designed specifically to reduce travel time associated with picking processes, thus empowering workers to do other jobs.With such AMRs, lift plates, and robotic arms can be almost completely automated, completing every step of the palletising process –from loading, transport, to unloading – all performed autonomously, efficiently, and accurately.
Sortation AMRs. These come in multiple forms like moving carts and mobile manipulation tools. These AMRs handle tasks like returns handling, raw materials transport, inventory management and sorting, and parcel sortation.
Applications of autonomous mobile robots
As has been noted, in warehousing and distribution centres, autonomous mobile robots essentially make processes and workflows more efficient and productive by performing non-value-added tasks like transporting, picking up, and dropping off products.
As a result, freeing up humans to perform other tasks that add value to a company’s operations, such as picking, or checking orders. Applications of AMRs cut across different spheres too.
Fleet Management Systems (Warehouse Management)
In fleet management systems (warehouse application), AMRs can be used in loading, unloading, stacking and retrieving palletised and large loads. They add greater flexibility in carrying out such tasks, which are touted as some of the costliest of fleet management operations.
Industry & Manufacturing
AMRs can be used for cleaning and disinfection (can be used for in-house logistic and goods transfer automation) at manufacturing premises that need to keep hygienically clean. Essentially, autonomous robots offer a cost-effective way of accomplishing this by deploying automated cleaning and disinfection equipment wherever needed.
Considering the intricate shapes of such facilities, and the likelihood that potential obstacles can suddenly appear, the autonomous navigation of an AMR is crucially important in these applications. Additionally, AMRs guarantee that every square inch of the targeted area is well treated, especially in times of COVID-19.
Additionally, AMRs combined with robotic arms can be employed to control valuable process inputs, perform regular monitoring tasks, and safely manage waste removal from the production line.
Hospitality
AMRs offer hospitality businesses like conference venues and restaurants a way to automate servicing activities while also enabling safe and socially distanced customer service.
For example, front-of-house hotel robots can deliver food, drinks and goods to guests in their rooms. Customers can then be sent a PIN code via text message to open up the robot and access their orders.
The same principle is applicable to waiter services to deliver refreshments in any venue. Similarly, hotel housekeeping can employ AMRs as laundry trolleys which tend to clutter the corridors.
Autonomous Security Robots
Fitted with camera equipment, AMRs can provide a constant stream of video and data to a control centre. Furthermore, if necessary, the AMRs can be switched from autonomous to remote control mode so a security officer can critically observe anything suspicious.
With their autonomous navigation abilities, AMRs can carry out extensive patrols without the need for human intervention whilst circumventing obstacles or changes in the environment. Additionally, those fitted with artificial intelligence capabilities can respond appropriately to a variety of events.
Not forgetting, AMRs tend to have superior sensory advantages over humans with low-light infrared vision and thermal vision capabilities, which detect activity invisible to human eyes. Furthermore, some advanced AMRs possess functions like facial and license plate recognition.
Hospitals & Healthcare
Hospitals can utilise AMRs to transport items like meals, linen, drugs, sterile supplies, cleaning equipment and waste. One key advantage of AMRs over trolleys pushed by humans is that they reduce human movements between areas.
Hence, the potential for human-borne spread of viruses and bacteria, which is helpful, especially in times of COVID-19.
Relatedly, AMRs help address the traceability of materials and equipment as data collected by the AMR on its locations and activities can be sent to the AMR management system, and linked to scanned data on the labelled containers it transports.
For biopharmaceutical companies who need to comply with strongly regulated production processes (which are often labour intensive tasks), AMRs can be employed to sample and maintain cell culture processes that require constant monitoring on a 24/7 basis.
As a result, with AMRs satisfactorily handling the repetitive tasks, medical professionals can focus on other vital steps of the biopharmaceutical manufacturing process like tracking of growth parameters, continuous testing, and making crucial scientific adjustments as development progresses.
