The global AMR market size was valued at USD 2.97 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030. Autonomous mobile robots pick, transport, and sort items within manufacturing and distribution facilities without manual intervention. AMRs leverage vision cameras, onboard sensors, and facility maps integrated with warehouse execution software (WES) to perform various operations, such as moving raw materials and manufactured goods within the facility. AMRs are highly preferred owing to their myriad benefits, such as preventing product damage, reducing labor costs, enhancing productivity, and automating processes. Incumbents of several industries and industry verticals, including transportation & logistics, automotive, and food & beverages, are already reaping the benefits of adopting AMRs.
For instance, in July 2021, Reply, a consulting, system integration, and digital services provider announced the launch of solution architecture for AMRs on Microsoft Azure. This solution empowers unique business applications across industries, minimizes costs, and offers fast implementation of robotics use cases as per customer requirements.
Warehousing and retailing companies collaborate with technology companies and automation solution providers to transform their material handling operations. For instance, in June 2021, DHL Supply Chain and Locus Robotics agreed to procure 2,000 AMRs by the end of 2022. As of September 2022, Locus Robotics announced that the company's current investor, Tiger Global Management, committed USD 50 million. Besides, on 9th August 2022, a forklift manufacturer, Linde, adopted IDEALworks' autonomous logistics technology and now offers the iw.hub mobile robot as part of its service through Anyfleet, the leading cloud platform. With this collaboration, Linde and IDEALwork have found a new avenue for collaborating with their partners.
Furthermore, giant e-commerce companies continue acquisitions of autonomous robot vendors to proliferate their warehouse operations. For instance, ABB Group announced the acquisition of ASTI Mobile Robotics Group, a manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) with applications across a broad range of critical applications based on the company's software suites. Consequently, ABB will be able to offer a broader range of robotics and automation products, making it the only company to do so for the upcoming generation of flexible automation.
In March 2021, The Toro Company, a manufacturer of innovative landscaping, turf, rental, and construction equipment, announced the acquisition of Left Hand Robotics, Inc. The acquisition contributes to The Toro Company's objective of being a pioneer in next-generation technologies such as alternative energy, smart linked, and autonomous products.
AMRs form an essential component of lean operations in the broader picture of various industrial scenarios as they are developed to address specific challenges associated with conventional industrial environments. These robots navigate inherently dynamic environments, such as construction sites. Since production facilities are pursuing leaner operations and are becoming more active, robots that can navigate and operate safely within these environments are poised for significant commercial growth.
Autonomous robots also enable warehouses and production facilities to introduce process automation without remolding the existing operating environment. For instance, in August 2022, Boston Dynamics and NFI signed a USD 10 million agreement to deploy the former's newest robot, Stretch, across NFI's U.S. warehousing operations. The mobile robot will start unloading trucks and containers at NFI's site in Savannah, Georgia, as part of a trial program in 2023.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) pick, transport, and sort items within manufacturing and distribution facilities without manual intervention. AMRs use onboard sensors, vision cameras, and facility maps coupled with warehouse execution software (WES) to execute various duties, including moving raw materials and manufactured goods within the facility. AMRs are highly preferred owing to their myriad benefits, such as enhancing productivity, minimizing labor costs, preventing product damage, and automating various processes. AMRs are considered to empower employees by working collaboratively to produce highly productive work environments by automating repetitive and high-risk material transportation.
Robots use sensors and algorithms to navigate dynamic environments but cannot take advanced decision-making via sensory inputs. Artificial intelligence is the upcoming addition to the evolution of AMRs to make them intelligent mobile robots. Integrating AI technology into mobile robots makes them more efficient. Many tasks can be performed and are easily adaptable in a working environment. AI enables mobile robots comprised of sensors and software for control and observation. The robots collect data from 3D cameras, laser scanners, accelerometers, gyroscopes, and wheel encoders to make efficient decisions in critical situations.
Robots can move efficiently and use their knowledge of their surroundings to avoid obstacles and persons in their path. AMRs with AI capabilities feature strategically placed cameras that function as extended robot sensors. AMRs receive information about a location before entering it and learn to change their behavior accordingly. This means they research specific jobs and avoid impediments such as high-traffic areas at specified times, such as when supplies are regularly delivered and transferred by truck or when there is a lot of human interaction during breaks or shift changes.
Hardware segment led the autonomous mobile robots (AMR) market in 2022, accounting for over 65% share of the global revenue. Hardware segment covers the parts used to build AMRs, comprising controllers, wheels, encoders, brakes, motors, batteries, actuators, sensors, and power systems. For instance, in May 2022, Qualcomm introduced the Robotics RB6 Platform, a high-end hardware development kit that can serve as the brains for commercial drones, autonomous robots, and delivery robots. It also unveiled a brand-new RB5 reference design, based on the RB5 platform used in millions of systems that includes all hardware and sensors needed to develop AMRs.
Besides, the software segment is expected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period. Software segment covers programs used to build AMRs. Autonomous mobile robots software includes software components such as scanning and visual processing software, motion planning, navigation systems, control systems, safety systems, fleet management systems, and payload, among other programs.
Goods-to-person picking robots segment led the market and accounted for more than 48% share of the global revenue in 2022. This high share can be attributed to the continued deployment of autonomous robots to eliminate paper-based and manual picking systems. Goods-to-person picking robots can be programmed to carry carts and navigate flexible routes to move goods between workers and stations. Several robotics companies, including Bleum, GreyOrange, and IAM Robotics, offer autonomous mobile robotsic picking systems that can potentially add a new efficiency level to manufacturing and warehousing operations. For instance, Locus Robotics, a robotic process automation company, claims that its picking robots can increase productivity by 3-5 times by reducing labor expenditures such as "task interleaving," travel time, overtime, and training costs.
Self-driving forklift segment is expected to demonstrate a notable shift in demand over the forecast period. Self-driving forklifts are ideal for repetitive load-handling operations that typically involve long distances. Linde Material Handling, a manufacturer of forklift trucks and warehouse equipment, based in Germany, offers automated forklifts equipped with front & rear scanners, navigation laser, acoustic & visual warning indicators, and 3D camera vision.
The lead battery segment dominated the market and accounted for more than 50% share of the global revenue in 2022. This high share can be attributed to lead batteries' low-cost advantages over other battery types. Lead batteries also ensure stable voltage, good reversibility, and long service life and are well-suited for a broad range of industrial applications.
For instance, KUKA AG's KMR QUANTEC AMR mobile industrial robot system is a prominent example of lead battery-based AMRs. It leverages industrial wireless LAN technology, thereby eliminating need for cabling while offering a higher degree of adaptability.
Lithium-ion battery segment is expected to witness considerable growth over the forecast period. Lithium-ion batteries tend to incur higher costs as compared to lead batteries. However, lithium-ion batteries reinforce high-power charge and discharge while also fulfilling the requirements of different industrial environments, such as high energy density, excellent temperature performance, and long-life cycle.
The several advantages associated with lithium-ion batteries are anticipated to encourage AMR manufacturers to adopt lithium-ion batteries to power their respective AMRs. For instance, in April 2022, Tennant Company which offers automated floor cleaning machines announced the launch of lithium-ion batteries in its autonomous floor cleaning robots. The advanced battery technology in its autonomous mobile robots will benefit the customers with hassle-free maintenance; long run times would optimize employee resources and increase their cleaning efficiency.
Manufacturing segment led the market in 2022, accounting for over 75% share of the global revenue. This high share can be attributed to the continued process automation in the manufacturing industry worldwide. The segment has been further segmented into automotive, aerospace, electronics, chemical, pharmaceuticals, plastics, defense, FMCG, and others. The automotive segment also accounted for a prominent market share owing to its aggressive adoption of AMRs for various tasks, such as assembly, painting, sealing, coating, machine tending & part transfer, and materials removal, as well as internal logistics associated with automotive manufacturing as part of the efforts to introduce lean manufacturing.
For instance, in August 2022, the Israeli creators of MAESTRO, an AI-enabled control tower, and Musashi Seimitsu, a manufacturer of auto parts, signed a contract allowing Musashi Seimitsu to install 200 autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) made by MAESTRO throughout its 35 manufacturing facilities worldwide. The MAESTRO-powered AMRs from 634AI will assist Musashi Seimitsu in enhancing safety and productivity by automating intra-logistics processes and improving productivity on its production floors.
The aerospace and defense segments are anticipated to exhibit a substantial growth rate over the forecast period. Production facilities associated with the aerospace and defense industry verticals tend to be massive as they need to handle large-sized components, such as nacelles, fuselages, wings, and engine pods, among others. However, the pathways through which these parts are navigated within the production facility tend to be comparatively narrow. To avoid any potential accidents and mishaps stemming from human errors while transporting heavy elements through narrow paths, aerospace & defense companies are aggressively deploying autonomous mobile robots to move heavy components within the facility on predefined or dynamic routes.
Europe dominated the market in 2022, accounting for over 28% share of the global revenue. This can be attributed to the rising demand for material handling equipment from the incumbents of manufacturing industry. Continued process automation in other sectors and industry verticals is also driving the regional market's growth. For instance, in July 2022, 6 River Systems announced establishing a multiyear global deal with GXO Logistics, Inc., a contract logistics provider. Through this partnership, the companies will meet requirements for Collaborative Mobile Robots (CMRs) in their logistics operations throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness significant growth over the forecast period. The growing e-commerce industry in the emerging economies of Asia Pacific is promoting deployment of autonomous mobile robots for inventory management. Adoption of AMRs is also gaining traction owing to the intense competition underway within the e-commerce industry as e-commerce companies try to distinguish themselves by reducing the delivery time of goods. E-commerce companies are deploying AMRs in their warehouses to automate intralogistics tasks, including picking, sorting, and palletizing. For instance, in September 2021, Shenzhen-based Hai Robotics, a manufacturer of autonomous case-handling robots (ACRs), raised USD 200 Million in two equity rounds. This fund is expected to strengthen its robot fleet with upgrades, helping them to reach the global market while supporting supply chain management and hiring new talents
Vendors in the AMR market focus aggressively on expanding their customer base and gaining a competitive edge over their rivals. Hence, they pursue various strategic initiatives, including partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, collaborations, and new product/ technology development. For instance, in January 2021, OTTO Motors announced a partnership with PULSE Integration, a material handling specialist, to deploy autonomous mobile robots for materials handling in manufacturing.
AMRs were used to work in progress pallets, transport raw material pallets, and finished goods pallets in place of forklifts. AMR is deployed in manufacturing and warehouse logistics operations to increase productivity, improve material monitoring, eliminate errors, and enable employees to focus on tasks that require complex human still stands are deployed in the manufacturing industry to minimize wasted movement and non-value-added activities such as efficiently moving raw materials, shift finished goods to its proper place by following a steady path or by enthusiastically creating routes to navigate varied environments. Some prominent players in the global autonomous mobile robots market include:
ABB
Bleum
Boston Dynamics
Clearpath Robotics, Inc.
GreyOrange
Harvest Automation
IAM Robotics
inVia Robotics, Inc.
KUKA AG
Teradyne Inc.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2023 |
USD 3,485.4 million |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 9.56 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030 |
Base year for estimation |
2022 |
Historical data |
2017 - 2021 |
Forecast period |
2023 - 2030 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million and CAGR from 2023 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Component, type, battery type, end-use, region |
Regional scope |
North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; South America; MEA |
Country scope |
U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; U.K.; France; China; Japan; India; Brazil |
Key companies profiled |
ABB; Bleum; Boston Dynamics; Clearpath Robotics, Inc.; GreyOrange; Harvest Automation; IAM Robotics; inVia Robotics, Inc.; KUKA AG; Teradyne Inc. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global autonomous mobile robots market report based on component, type, battery type, end-use, and region:
Component Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
Hardware
Software
Services
Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
Goods-to-person picking robots
Self-driving Forklifts
Autonomous Inventory Robots
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Battery Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
Lead Battery
Lithium-Ion Battery
Nickel-based Battery
Others
End-Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
Manufacturing
Automotive
Aerospace
Electronics
Chemical
Pharmaceuticals
Plastics
Defense
FMCG
Others
Wholesale & Distribution
E-commerce
Retail Chains/Conveyance Stores
Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
Germany
U.K.
France
Asia Pacific
China
Japan
India
South America
Brazil
Middle East and Africa (MEA)
b. The global autonomous mobile robots market size was estimated at USD 2.97 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 3,485.4 million in 2023
b. The global autonomous mobile robots market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 15.5% from 2023 to 2030 to reach USD 9.56 billion by 2030.
b. Europe dominated the autonomous mobile robots market with a share of 28% in 2022. This is attributable to the increasing demand for automation and material handling equipment in various industries.
b. Some key players operating in the autonomous mobile robots market include ABB; Bleum; Boston Dynamics; Clearpath Robotics, Inc.; GreyOrange; Harvest Automation; IAM Robotics; inVia Robotics, Inc.; KUKA AG; and Teradyne Inc.
b. Key factors driving the autonomous mobile robots market include growth include the emergence of artificial intelligence technology in autonomous mobile robots, high adoption of robots in manufacturing and warehouse logistics operations, increased safety at high-risk workplace
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