Charleston Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a kind of technology that is rapidly growing in popularity inside material handling facilities worldwide. These types of robots are designed to navigate a warehouse by themselves without involving human assistance. They come equipped with software and sensors that let them traverse the facility, find and grab objects and carry them to their destination.

Autonomous Mobile Robot Benefits

One of the primary benefits to implementing AMRs in material handling facilities is the increased productivity they can provide. Through automating duties like material transportation and handling, AMRs will drastically limit the time and labor required to finish these jobs. This means quicker order processing and transport times as well as diminished labor fees.

A second advantage to AMRs is their tireless operation without any necessity for breaks or rest. This enables warehouses to optimize their efficiency and productivity because the robots can operate constantly without experiencing any fatigue.

AMRs can also improve safety in storage facilities because they have installed programming and sensors allowing them to avert crashes with people and items. This limits the possibility of injuries and accidents in the facility, which is especially significant in places where heavy lifting and other physically demanding tasks are common.

Types of AMRs

There are a few different types of AMRs available for sale, individually designed for unique jobs and environments. Some prevailing uses for AMRs include:

• Order Picking AMRs: AMRs come in a broad array of designs that aim to limit picking-related travel time. Utilizing AMRs to take objects to the picker eliminates travel time for hourly staff members and can be a game changer in terms of cost and efficiency.
• Sortation AMRs: Sortation can benefit significantly from implementing autonomous mobile robots. Different types of AMRs include an assortment of handling technologies. They can be equipped with everything from cross belt systems to tilt trays, and they can be used in e-com fulfillment, high-speed parcel sortation and returns handling.
• Inventory AMRs: Currently order fulfillment is dependent on having precise, transparent inventory visibility—knowing exactly where the product is inside your warehouse, distribution center and entire supply chain. However, coordinating inventory transportation and reconciliation can be difficult and time-consuming for particularly large and complex operations. AMRs that are directly integrated with an inventory structure can drastically limit the time and money required to sustain maximum productivity and order integrity.

AMR Implementation

Configuring AMRs in a warehouse demands careful planning and consideration. It is critical to carefully assess the tasks that robots will need to complete and make sure that they are configured with the correct sensors and software to handle these duties effectively. It is also necessary to plan for the layout of the warehouse and the potential impact on different processes and systems, such as the storage and material handling systems.

One of the challenges of deploying AMRs is the need to consolidate them with present processes and systems. AMRs frequently need to be integrated with warehouse management systems (WMS) and other computer systems in order to work properly. This can need considerable labor and materials and might necessitate the implementation of unique software or incorporation with third-party systems.

An additional difficulty is the need for ongoing maintenance and support. AMRs must have regular software updates and maintenance in order to go on functioning correctly, and it is necessary to have a plan in place to make sure that these duties are done in a timely and capable manner.

Talk to A Warehouse Automation Expert

Overall, autonomous mobile robots can contribute substantial gains to distribution centers and warehouses, such as increased safety, productivity and efficiency. If you’d like to inquire about designing and setting up an AMR project, contact a warehouse automation representative at Carolina Handling today.