Global Autonomous Mobile Robot Market 2024–2033

Reports Description

As per the current market research conducted by the CMI Team, the global Autonomous Mobile Robot Market is expected to record a CAGR of 22% from 2023 to 2032. In 2022, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 2.5 billion. By 2032, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 9.9 billion.

Autonomous robots represent a category of intelligent machines capable of executing real-world tasks without direct human intervention. Within this realm, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) excel in comprehending and navigating their environments independently, without the need for constant human oversight.

AMRs rely on sophisticated software to generate on-site maps, either by scanning their surroundings in real time or by utilizing pre-loaded facility blueprints. These maps serve as reference points for navigation. To chart their course efficiently, AMRs leverage advanced technologies such as LiDAR sensors and simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM).

Furthermore, AMRs possess the capacity to dynamically adapt their routes based on varying conditions and requirements. This adaptability allows them to adjust their path in response to changing tasks.

Additionally, AMRs are equipped with obstacle detection and avoidance capabilities, enabling them to automatically select the optimal route to their next destination while circumventing obstacles and navigating through restricted passages.

Autonomous Mobile Robot Market - Significant Growth Factors

Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) play a pivotal role in the seamless picking, transportation, and sorting of items within manufacturing and distribution facilities, all achieved without the need for manual intervention.

These versatile AMRs rely on a combination of vision cameras, onboard sensors, and facility maps that are seamlessly integrated with warehouse execution software (WES). This powerful combination empowers AMRs to execute a wide range of operations, including the movement of raw materials and finished products throughout the facility.

The adoption of AMRs is driven by a multitude of advantages they offer. These include the prevention of product damage, reduction in labor costs, substantial enhancements in productivity, and the automation of critical processes.

Various industries and verticals, encompassing transportation and logistics, automotive, and the food and beverage sector, have already recognized and harnessed the advantages of integrating AMRs into their operations. In the context of diverse industrial settings, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) serve as a vital element of lean operational strategies.

They are purposefully designed to tackle the unique challenges that conventional industrial environments often present. These robots excel in navigating through inherently dynamic settings, including demanding landscapes like construction sites.

As production facilities increasingly embrace leaner operational practices and become more agile, the demand for robots capable of safely and effectively operating within these evolving environments is on the verge of experiencing substantial commercial growth.

Autonomous robots offer a valuable avenue for introducing process automation into warehouses and production facilities without the need for extensive alterations to the existing operational environment. A notable example of this trend occurred in August 2022 when Boston Dynamics and NFI entered into a substantial agreement worth USD 10 million.

The agreement centered on the deployment of Boston Dynamics' latest robot, Stretch, within NFI's warehousing operations across the United States. Under this initiative, the mobile robot commenced unloading trucks and containers at NFI's facility located in Savannah, Georgia, as part of an initial trial program scheduled for 2023.

In the subsequent years, NFI plans to extend the adoption of such robots to multiple warehouse locations across North America. The deployment of autonomous mobile robots involves several critical steps, including the establishment of waypoints and mission planning. Integrating these robots within a factory or workplace to operate autonomously is a complex undertaking, often accompanied by hidden setup costs.

These hidden costs encompass expenses related to engaging vendors or robotics experts to configure the robots, time investments in adapting or modifying the physical infrastructure, and efforts spent on training personnel to effectively set up and operate these robots.

Additionally, the autonomous mobile robot market faces challenges associated with managing the value chain. This is primarily due to the relatively low profit margins linked to the installation of such sophisticated systems.

Moreover, the market contends with price hikes in micro-processing components, which can further impede its growth prospects during the forecast period.

Autonomous Mobile Robot Market - Mergers and Acquisitions

• In July 2022, Geek+ unveiled a strategic partnership with Systemex Automation, a prominent Canadian systems integrator, with the aim of expanding the deployment of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) in North America. Under this collaboration, Systemex Automation will make available Geek+'s comprehensive portfolio of AMR solutions, encompassing Picking, Moving, Sorting, and Storage/Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), to its clientele.

• In March 2022, Locus Robotics, a leading manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots for fulfilment warehouses, introduced two new additions to its lineup of warehouse AMRs, namely the Locus Vector and Locus Max, thus broadening its range of offerings in this sector.

• In September 2021, Locus Robotics made a significant acquisition by purchasing Waypoint Robotics, a manufacturer specializing in industrial-strength, autonomous, omnidirectional mobile robots. This strategic acquisition expanded Locus' product line of AMR solutions, catering to a wide spectrum of applications, including case-picking, pallet-picking, and scenarios requiring the handling of larger, heavier payloads and diverse fulfilment modalities.

• In March 2021, Boston Dynamics launched Stretch, a novel box-moving robot specifically designed to address the escalating demand for flexible automation solutions within the logistics industry.

• In March 2023, Barcodes Group unveiled its new autonomous mobile robotics portfolio, complemented by Plug-and-Play Integration Software. This innovative offering provides businesses with intelligent automation solutions that are easy to adopt and promise a swift return on investment.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATED MARKET

Autonomous Mobile Robot Market - Significant Threats

• High Initial Setup Costs: The deployment of AMRs often involves substantial upfront costs, including the acquisition of hardware, software, and the necessary infrastructure. These expenses can be prohibitive for smaller businesses, posing a barrier to market entry and adoption.

• Integration Complexities: Integrating AMRs into existing operational workflows can be a complex and time-consuming process. The need for custom integration with other systems and machinery can result in delays and additional costs.

• Security Concerns: As AMRs are increasingly connected to networks and systems, they become potential targets for cyberattacks. Ensuring the security of these robots and the data they handle is a critical challenge.

• Limited Adaptability: AMRs are designed for specific tasks and environments. Adapting them to new tasks or environments often requires significant reconfiguration and customization, which can be expensive and time-intensive.

• Regulatory Compliance: Adhering to industry-specific regulations and safety standards is crucial for AMR deployments. Non-compliance can lead to legal and operational challenges.

• Technological Dependency: AMRs rely on advanced technologies like sensors, AI, and IoT. Any disruption in the supply chain or advancements in these technologies can impact the functionality and relevance of existing AMR systems.

• Skilled Workforce: Operating and maintaining AMR requires a skilled workforce, including technicians capable of troubleshooting and repairing these machines. A shortage of such expertise can hinder AMR adoption.

Report Scope

Category-Wise Insights

Based on Component:

The hardware segment emerged as the frontrunner in the autonomous mobile robots market in 2022, capturing a substantial share exceeding 65% of the global revenue. This segment encompasses the constituent components utilized in the construction of AMRs, encompassing controllers, wheels, encoders, brakes, motors, batteries, actuators, sensors, and power systems.

Notably, in May 2022, Qualcomm introduced the Robotics RB6 Platform, a sophisticated hardware development kit capable of serving as the central processing unit for various applications, including commercial drones, autonomous robots, and delivery robots.

Additionally, Qualcomm unveiled a novel RB5 reference design, which builds upon the RB5 platform utilized in millions of systems and incorporates all the requisite hardware and sensors essential for AMR development.

Based on Type:

The goods-to-person picking robots segment assumed a leadership position in the market, contributing to more than 49% of the total global revenue in 2022. This substantial share can be attributed to the persistent adoption of autonomous robots to replace traditional paper-based and manual picking methods.

Goods-to-person picking robots are programmable to transport carts and navigate flexible routes for efficient goods transfer between workers and designated stations. Several prominent robotics firms, including Bleum, GreyOrange, and IAM Robotics, provide autonomous mobile robotic picking systems that have the potential to significantly enhance manufacturing and warehousing operations.

For instance, Locus Robotics, a leading robotic process automation company, asserts that its picking robots can boost productivity by 3-5 times, primarily by reducing labor-related expenses such as task interleaving, travel time, overtime, and training costs.

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Autonomous Mobile Robot Market - Regional Analysis

North America:

The North American autonomous mobile robot market encompasses the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The region is experiencing substantial market growth driven by advancements in autonomous mobile robot technologies, including sophisticated sensors, command and control systems, and AI-powered capabilities.

Moreover, there is a notable increase in research and development activities focused on warehouse applications. The North American market has witnessed a surge in the adoption of autonomous mobile robots, driven by heightened awareness of their efficiency and features.

This increased awareness is expected to further boost the demand for autonomous mobile robots and contribute to market growth during the forecast period. Industrial automation is a significant driver of market growth in North America, with a focus on developing operationally efficient autonomous mobile robots.

This presents attractive opportunities for market expansion. Several factors are fueling the adoption of these robots in the United States, including the need for faster and more precise goods delivery, cost savings in labor, and enhanced productivity.

Additionally, companies operating in the North American autonomous mobile robot market are employing strategies such as acquisitions to broaden their footprint in the region.

Asia Pacific:

The Asia Pacific region is poised for substantial growth in the autonomous mobile robot market during the forecast period. This growth is driven by the expanding e-commerce sector in emerging economies within the region, which is propelling the adoption of autonomous mobile robots for efficient inventory management.

Furthermore, the fierce competition within the e-commerce industry is pushing companies to seek innovative ways to stand out, and one such approach is to reduce the delivery time for goods. To achieve this goal, e-commerce firms are increasingly deploying autonomous mobile robots in their warehouses to automate critical intralogistics tasks, including picking, sorting, and palletizing. This trend is expected to further accelerate the adoption of AMRs in the Asia Pacific region.

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List of the prominent players in the Autonomous Mobile Robot Market:

• ABB
• Bleum
• Boston Dynamics
• Clearpath Robotics Inc.
• GreyOrange
• Harvest Automation
• IAM Robotics
• inVia Robotics Inc.
• KUKA AG
• Teradyne Inc.
• Others

Regional Coverage:

North America

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America

Europe

• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe

Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• New Zealand
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia Pacific

The Middle East & Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• Kuwait
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa

Latin America

• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America