Driving Efficiency and Innovation: The Impact of AMRs on Global Industry

To increase operational efficiency, administrators have been investing in the implementation of advanced robotics technologies such as Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), along with the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to the ISO 8373 "Vocabulary" standard and the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), a mobile robot is defined as a "robot that can move independently". These robots not only operate autonomously but can also be operated remotely, as shown in Figure 1. The first patent for an AMR was granted in 1987, but it has only been in more recent years that their practical application has become more widespread.

AMRs are distinguished by their advanced autonomous control, enabled by sophisticated algorithms, flexible routing systems, wireless communication, pattern recognition, and primarily, natural navigation technologies. These mobile robots are equipped with various sensors that allow them to perceive their surroundings and adapt to environmental changes, unlike the broader definition of mobile robots, which includes those with basic capabilities for movement, control, and manipulation, capable of performing various tasks in predefined environments. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has hindered further advancements in the use of industrial robots over the last two years, approximately 435,000 robots were installed worldwide last year. Estimates indicate that, in 2024, for the first time, the number of new industrial robots in operation will reach half a million, as illustrated in Figure 2.

The use of industrial robots is concentrated in a few countries, with China being the largest market. In 2020, according to the latest data, this Asian country alone accounted for 44% of the new industrial robots put into operation worldwide. The five largest markets for industrial robots (China, Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Germany) accounted for 76% of global robot installations that year. In Brazil, a total of 1,595 robots were installed, representing less than 0.5% of the global market.

The year 2020 was a landmark in the history of industrial robotics. For the first time, the automotive industry was not the largest consumer of industrial robots, with about 80,000 new units installed, almost 30,000 fewer than in the electronics industry. Since 1961, when the first commercial unit was installed at the General Motors factory in New Jersey, the automotive industry had been the main customer of industrial robots. Global car production has been declining since 2018, a trend that continued last year, exacerbated by the global shortage of semiconductors.

The MD series from Omron features state-of-the-art autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), ideal for handling material movement and other medium-sized transport processes. With a maximum speed of 2.2 m/s (MD-650), maximum payloads of 650 kg and 900 kg, an operating time of 10 hours, ultra-fast charging, an innovative dynamic safety system with automatic dimension switching, along with Omron's industry-leading integrated navigation system, the MD series of AMRs can deliver the performance and efficiency needed to meet even the most demanding applications. Additionally, with user connections that are easy to access, a fully solid metal chassis, industrial design, and maintenance-centered layout, MD series users can have peace of mind that their mobile robot will have a long lifespan.

Among the benefits of using advanced technologies, particularly in robotics and intralogistics, are the enhancement of energy efficiency through eco-friendly and sustainable technologies and the increase in flexibility in route and operation planning. There is also a promotion of safer and more stable operations, with a reduction in labor demand due to the widespread application of artificial intelligence. These advancements lead to a decrease in the time needed for material transportation and the maximization of engineers' time efficiency, ensuring high safety standards.

Furthermore, the increase in productivity and the reduction of operational costs are evident, along with greater accuracy in inventory management. Such advances promote autonomous management of intralogistics, optimizing the physical flow of materials in warehouses. In the manufacturing context, the benefits include improved performance and error reduction, enhancing efficiency in processes that are traditionally manual and prone to failure.

Written by Renan Rubim de Castro Souza