Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) have opened up a wide range of opportunities across various sectors, presenting an attractive automation landscape globally.
The AMR market is characterised by specialised solutions tailored to different industries, each developed to perform specific applications.
Although AMRs vary significantly depending on their purpose, the IFR identifies three main design categories:
- Adaptation of industrial robots for specialised uses (e.g., robots for goods transportation or maintenance tasks in industrial environments),
- Use of advanced technology to enhance existing systems in product lines with automated functions (such as in logistics or inspection), and
- Development of completely innovative new robotic designs aimed at solving specific problems, such as cleaning or security robots.
These advancements are driving the growth of robotics in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, and security, opening new horizons for automation.
This article presents the applications and benefits of AMRs across different industries. It explores how Autonomous Mobile Robots automate various tasks in aerospace, pharmaceutical, plastics industries, and the supply chain.
AMR IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
The aerospace industry is characterised by complex manufacturing processes, including the handling of high-precision components. In this context, AMRs bring precision, efficiency, and improvements in quality to production.
Applications of robots in the Aerospace Industry
- Component transport: Mobile robots facilitate the movement of parts between different workstations, ensuring timely delivery and reducing the risk of damage during transportation.
- Inventory management: Equipped with advanced technologies, these robots can perform real-time inventory checks, ensuring optimal material management and reducing human errors.
- Assembly assistance: AMRs can deliver tools and components directly to assembly lines, improving workflow and allowing operators to focus on higher-value tasks.
Benefits of AMRs in the Aerospace Industry
- Increased Productivity: By automating repetitive and logistical tasks, staff are freed up for more specialised activities, boosting overall efficiency.
- Quality Improvement: Precision in component transport and handling reduces the likelihood of errors, leading to higher-quality final products.
- Operational Flexibility: The ability of AMRs to adapt to various tasks and routes provides greater flexibility in production planning and execution.
AMR IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
The pharmaceutical industry requires high standards of precision, hygiene, and traceability in its processes. AMRs are a valuable tool for meeting these demands and optimising production.
Applications of robots in the pharmaceutical industry
- Material transport: Intralogistics tasks are one of the most common uses of AMRs in the pharmaceutical industry. They can automate the transport of raw materials and products within the same facilities, maintaining sterility and reducing human handling.
- Laboratory support: In research and development environments, AMRs can handle the transportation of samples and reagents between different areas, speeding up experimental processes and protecting personnel from toxic substances.
- Quality control: Modular Autonomous Mobile Robots can integrate modules, components, or systems such as artificial vision for visual inspection and analysis of pharmaceutical products. These AMRs can detect defects in tablets, capsules, and packaging, ensuring compliance with quality standards. They also automate testing and analysis, manipulating samples with precision to assess their composition and stability.
Benefits of AMRs in the pharmaceutical industry
- Regulatory compliance: Automating critical processes helps ensure compliance with strict regulations and health standards, minimising contamination from human contact.
- Operational efficiency: Reduced transport and material handling times lead to more agile and efficient processes, allowing human teams to focus on higher-value tasks.
- Workplace safety: By automating potentially hazardous or repetitive tasks, AMRs contribute to a safer work environment for staff.
AMR IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
The chemical industry deals with highly sensitive or even dangerous materials, requiring safe and efficient logistical solutions. AMRs provide a solution to meet these challenges.
Applications of AMRs in the chemical industry
- Chemical transport: AMRs can transport chemicals between storage and production areas, minimising personnel exposure to hazardous materials.
- Feeding production lines: Mobile robots ensure a continuous supply of raw materials to production lines, avoiding interruptions and optimising workflow.
- Cleaning robots: Thorough cleaning for proper maintenance in chemical plants or laboratories is one task that mobile robots can automate, ensuring proper disinfection and sterilisation of the area.
Benefits of AMRs in the chemical industry
- Enhanced safety: Reducing human handling of dangerous substances decreases the risk of workplace accidents.
- Process optimisation: Automating material transport and handling results in more efficient production with fewer interruptions.
- Traceability: Integrating AMRs with other management systems provides real-time data on material location and status, improving traceability.
AMR IN THE PLASTICS INDUSTRY
In the last five years, there has been significant growth in the installation of AMRs in the plastics industry. In this sector, efficient automation of intralogistics also helps optimise resources and ensure product quality.
Applications of AMRs in the plastics industry
- Supply to machinery: AMRs supply moulds, tools, and additives to injection or extrusion machines in real-time, reducing unproductive downtime.
- Transport of moulded products: Robots move moulded pieces between different points on the production line without affecting their integrity.
- Classification and storage: With the right sensors and components, AMRs can identify and classify plastic parts for storage or distribution.
Benefits of AMRs in the plastics industry
- Waste reduction: Automating material handling minimises waste and improves the use of inputs.
- Production optimisation: By eliminating interruptions in material supply, AMRs ensure continuous and stable operations.
- Flexibility: They adapt to both the workflow in production and the routes they need to follow, remaining operational even in dynamic environments.
AMR FOR THE SUPPLY CHAIN
The need for automation and sustainability in the supply chain has increased with the rise of e-commerce.
AMRs play a crucial role in optimising the supply chain by streamlining processes such as inventory management, transportation, and product distribution.
Applications of AMRs in the supply chain
- Inventory management: One of the most common applications of AMRs in the supply chain is inventory management. Robots automate the organisation and status tracking of products in warehouses, improving accuracy and reducing stockouts.
- Loading and unloading goods: They assist with the receipt and distribution of products at loading docks, reducing time and human intervention in these tasks.
- Distribution in logistics centres: They facilitate the movement of goods in large warehouses, coordinating with other technologies such as automatic sorting systems.
Benefits of AMRs in the supply chain
- Solution to labour shortages: Automating repetitive tasks in the supply chain addresses the issue of the lack of available labour for such roles.
- Increased efficiency and speed: Optimising internal transportation reduces waiting times and improves the flow of materials and products, enabling more agile processes that can compete in the global market.
- Flexibility and scalability: AMRs adapt to changes in demand and can be deployed in any type of facility without requiring modifications to the infrastructure.
THE FUTURE OF AMRS IN VARIOUS INDUSTRIES
Historically, AMRs have primarily focused on logistics, performing goods transportation functions. However, with advancements in technology, their scope has expanded, and today we find applications in a variety of industrial sectors, carrying out increasingly complex tasks, from quality control to inspection and security. Moreover, AMRs are no longer limited to operating indoors, as they can now navigate and orient themselves precisely in outdoor spaces.
From the chemical industry to the supply chain, AMRs have become an indispensable tool for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and ensuring workplace safety across various fields. The integration of complementary technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as simulated environments and digital twins, continues to broaden the possibilities of AMRs, opening new opportunities in even more diverse industries.
FAQs about AMRs
AMRs are robots designed to perform various tasks autonomously, such as transporting goods, managing inventories, and assisting in manufacturing processes.
AMRs are used in industries such as aerospace, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, plastics, and supply chain logistics.
AMRs increase productivity, improve quality, enhance operational flexibility, ensure workplace safety, and reduce costs.
AMRs automate repetitive tasks, reduce downtime, and streamline material transport, allowing workers to focus on more specialised tasks.
Yes, some manufacturers, such as Robotnik, develop AMRs capable of navigating accurately in both indoor and outdoor environments.
