Everything you Need to Know about Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) in Your DC or Warehouse

What is an AMR?

Autonomous Mobile Robots, also known as AMRs, are mobile robots that can autonomously navigate about a space. These robots can be used in a multitude of ways which include transporting product and freight within a facility, assisting in the picking process, facilitating sortation, and increasing product visibility. AMRs are becoming commonplace picking technology in the most high-tech and innovative warehouses and DCs because they can reduce travel time over 30% and improve warehouse picking efficiency 200%.

Considerations when Purchasing AMRs

If you’re considering implementing AMRs in your DC or warehouse space, there are a number of considerations you will need to consider before being able to justify the expense to leadership.

How Much does an AMR Cost and What's the ROI?

AMRs can be a great way to supplement your workforce and boost productivity. Implementing them in your DC or warehouse will likely mean you can significantly reduce your labor while extending your potential picking hours - perhaps even 24/7.

That being said, they are by no means a cheap solution. AMRs can cost anywhere from 17-$100K each, depending on what you need it to do, how much you need it to lift, what you need it to carry, and how many you need.

In addition to the base cost, you’ll likely have to budget for most, if not all, of these additional costs:

• Implementation costs for a WMS integration
• Development, testing, and deployment
• Training fees
• Regular maintenance costs
• Annual subscriptions

A good rule of thumb would be to plan for at least three robots per human picker in your warehouse, making a total initial investment - for a warehouse with only five pickers - somewhere in the ballpark of half a million dollars. However, warehouses can typically expect to see an ROI within a few years.

How Many AMRs does My Warehouse Need

How many AMRs you need will depend on your space and how you intend to utilize them. The more time-consuming and complex the operation the AMR is expected to perform, the more AMRs your organization will need.

Therefore, the cost-effectiveness and fleet size will vary drastically from warehouse to warehouse depending on the needs and size.

Reduce Mistakes & Accidents with AMRs

Pickers make a lot of mistakes when it comes to order picking. Mistakes can happen when they’re tired, distracted, hungry… juggling too many things at once. Regardless of the reason, these mistakes result in lost productivity, damaged equipment, incorrect orders, returns, shrink - or even lawsuits.

Unlike humans, AMRs never get distracted or tire (besides the occasional battery change) and can not only help you fulfill orders faster, but they can also help you fulfill them more accurately and with fewer injuries to your team.

AMRs versus Fixed Automation Technology

Space is not only a big consideration for how many AMRs your warehouse might need, but also whether it’s the right solution at all. Depending on the layout of your warehouse, using a fixed automation solution, like a conveyor belt, will eat up valuable floor space.

Compared to AMRs, fixed systems are typically much more expensive and time-consuming to implement - and far less flexible.

Best AMRs on the Market 

Finally, the last step is picking the best AMR for your warehouse or DC. There are a variety of types and solutions on the market, so we primarily focussed on AMR technologies that can move 2+ pallets at a time. 

Fetch Robotics

Website 

PalletTransport1500

• Total payload of 2500 lbs
• Max speed 1.5 m/s (3.4 mph)

Freight500/1500

• Total payload of 1500 kg (3300 lbs)
• Max speed 1.5 m/s (3.4 mph)

PULSE 

Website

OTTO 1500

• Total payload of 1500 kg (3306 lb)
• Max Speed: 2.0 m/s (4.47 mph)

IAM Robotics 

Website

Bolt

• Total payload of 300 kg (661 lb)
• Max speed 2 m/s

Prime Robotics

Website

MobilePallet MP3300

• Total payload of 3,300 lbs
• Max speed 2.25 mph

GreyOrange

Website

GreyMatter 

• T​​otal payload of 2,205 lbs
• Max speed 4.47 mph (2 m/s)

Linde Material Handling

Website

K-Matic

• T​​otal payload of 1,500 kg and lift heights of up to 12 meters
• Max speed 10.5 km/h

L-Matic

• T​​otal payload of  1,200 kg and lift heights up to 1.9 meters 
• Max speed 7.2 km/h

L-Matic AC

• T​​otal payload of  1200 kilograms and lifting heights of 1.9 meters
• Max speed 7.2 km/h

T-Matic

• T​​otal payload of  3000 kg
• Max speed 7.2 km/h

R-Matic

• Suitable for loads of up to 1600 kg at heights of up to more than eleven meters
• Max speed 2.5 km/h

Mir Robots

Website

MiR1000

• Total payload of 1000 kg
• 1.2 m/s (4.3 km/h) | 3.9 ft/s (2.7 mph)

MiR500

• Total payload of 500 kg
• 2.0 m/s | 4.4 mph 

Conclusion

There are a lot of considerations that go into determining if an AMR is right for your warehouse. While the initial cost is one of the most important factors, warehouses should also consider the return on investment and reduction in labor costs due to higher efficiency.

Other picking solutions, such as Ox’s, might also be a better choice for some warehouses - like ones with limited space and budget. SVT Robotics enables Ox to integrate with best-in-class AMRs to help smaller warehouses scale and drive efficiency, especially when used alongside AMRs, our solution is much faster to implement so you can start seeing ROI much sooner.